1983 Map of Sawmill Mesa

About this map

The Tierra Amarilla Grant defines much of this high-elevation landscape in Rio Arriba County, showcasing a complex system of plateaus and seasonal water sources in the early 1980s. Centered on the prominent Sawmill Mesa, the terrain is marked by dramatic elevation changes at the Tecolote Rim and the sheer face of Tecolote Mesa. This manuscript-based survey captures the sparse human footprint in the region, noting the Casa Escobedida settlement along the eastern edge of the quadrangle. Water is the primary driver of geography here, with numerous vital points such as Cebadilla Spring, North Cebadilla Spring, and Tijera Spring supporting life in the drainage basins of Willow Creek. Deep cuts like the Cañada de Tio Roque and Cañada de la Laguna illustrate how erosion has shaped the local topography south of El Cerro.