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2023 Map of San Patricio

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of San Patricio
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

The confluence of the Rio Bonito and Rio Ruidoso forms the headwaters of the Rio Hondo in this area of Lincoln County. The settlements of San Patricio and Hondo follow the narrow fertile valleys between the high desert terrain of the Sacramento Mountains and the Sierra Blanca range. This geography concentrated historical settlement and irrigation along the river corridors, as seen in the placement of the San Patricio Catholic Church and the Saint Jude Catholic Mission.

Local family history is rooted in the small valley cemeteries including Fritz Cem, Hondo Cem, and those associated with the missions. Named water sources such as Peter Hurd Spring and Colonel Fritz Spring indicate the importance of reliable water in this arid landscape. Notable peaks like El Sentinel Peak and La Tetita Peak overlook the draws and canyons that define the approach to the Lincoln National Forest boundary.