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1979 Map of Serpentine Bends

Name: 1979 Topographic Map of Serpentine Bends
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1979
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1979

About this map

The subterranean complexity of the Guadalupe Mountains is revealed in this 1979 survey, which highlights the karst landscape within Carlsbad Caverns National Park. This portion of the park contains several named subterranean features beyond the main cavern complex, including Mudgetts Cave, Lechuguilla Cave, and the aptly named Whistling Cave. Above ground, the terrain is defined by the winding drainage of the Serpentine Bends and the prominent Guadalupe Ridge.

Settlement patterns in this arid region are sparse and tied closely to water sources, as seen at the X Bar Ranch and Hayhurst. Historical traces include a small Cem near the ranch and numerous water-management features like Hess Well and Gravel Tank. The northern edge of the map transitions into the Lincoln National Forest, where a network of trails, such as the Bluff Trail, provided access to the high backcountry before modern road development reached this part of Eddy County.