1979 Map of Ruidosa Hot Springs

About this map

Ruidosa Hot Springs and numerous other thermal features define the arid landscape of this Presidio County region during the late 1970s. The topography is marked by deep drainage systems such as Arroyo Chupaderos, Arroyo Blanca, and Arroyo Tijeras, which cut through high terrain like Cerro Pardo and Cleveland Peak. Human presence is characterized by isolated outposts and resource extraction, including the Loma Plata Mine and family-held locations like Vizcaino Ranch and Benavides Ranch. The map reveals a network of Jeep Trails and Pack Trails that provided essential access through the high desert, linking landmarks such as the Big Shanon Windmill and various unnamed mines. Water remains the critical factor for life here, visible in the distribution of the Arroyo Sanguijuela Springs and the Perdiz Tank.