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2022 Map of Sheep Canyon

Name: 2022 Topographic Map of Sheep Canyon
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2022
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2022

About this map

The Comanche National Grassland dominates this portion of the Colorado plains, where the modern landscape preserves the deep-time heritage of the westward migration. The Santa Fe National Historic Trl cuts across the northwestern corner, a silent reminder of the historic trade route that once linked the Missouri River to New Mexico. This rugged terrain is defined by a network of seasonal watercourses and ridges, including the Iron Springs Hills and Jack Point.

Evidence of early ranching and water management is seen in features like the Rourke Reservoir, Kennedy Ponds, and Government Pond. The southern portion of the map transitions into the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, where the topography descends into Bent Canyon and Stage Canyon near the boundary of Otero and Las Animas Counties. The intersection of the Sheep Canyon Cutoff Trl with the natural drainage of Sheep Canyon Arroyo illustrates how historical travel patterns were dictated by the available gaps in the canyon country.