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1981 Map of Sacramento Peak

Name: 1981 Topographic Map of Sacramento Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1982
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1982

About this map

Sunspot serves as a central scientific landmark within this high-elevation terrain of the Lincoln National Forest. The landscape is dominated by sophisticated technical installations, including the Solar Observatory Telescope Domes and the Cosmic Ray Observatory, established atop Sacramento Peak. These facilities are supported by local infrastructure like a Heliport and dedicated Radio Facility, reflecting the area's importance for astrophysical research in the late twentieth century.

Lower elevations and canyon bottoms reveal the settlement history of the region, notably at Marcia and the nearby Marcia Cem. Water management is evident through various Spring sites and an Aqueduct system, while the primitive transportation network is defined by routes such as the Caballero Pack Trail and the Alamo Pack Trail. The drainage patterns are anchored by the Rio Peñasco in the north and the Sacramento River leading to Sacramento Lake in the south, carving through named features like Purgatory Canyon and Dog Canyon.