2010 Map of Schmitz Ranch

About this map

Schmitz Ranch and the outlier Ojito Camp define the human footprint in this arid landscape of Rio Arriba County. The terrain is deeply sculpted by drainage systems such as Cañon de los Ojitos and Wild Horse Canyon, which cut through the high elevations of Wild Horse Mesa. This early 21st-century survey reflects a remote ranching environment where movement is dictated by the rugged geography of the San Juan Basin. Secondary routes like Co Road 405 and Co Road 529 provide the only significant access through the breaks and mesas. The drainage patterns of Tapicito Creek and Bull Well Canyon illustrate the complex hydrology of the high desert, where seasonal water flow has historically influenced the location of camps and livestock operations.