2001 Map of Serpentine Bends

About this map

Carlsbad Caverns National Park dominates the southern landscape of this Eddy County survey, where the rugged topography is defined by the sharp descents of North Slaughter Canyon, Middle Slaughter Canyon, and South Slaughter Canyon. To the north, the winding corridor of Serpentine Bends cuts through the desert terrain, flanked by Dark Canyon and the high elevations of Guadalupe Ridge. Human presence is sparse, marked by established ranching sites like the X Bar Ranch and water-gathering points such as Lechuguilla Spring and Hess Well. The map captures a high-desert environment where resource management is critical, evidenced by numerous tanks like Johnson Tank and isolated wells. In the northeast, the East Hess Hills rise above a network of trails and dry washes, while the Lincoln National Forest boundary borders the western edge near Hayhurst.