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1982 Map of Sierra Blanca Peak

Name: 1982 Topographic Map of Sierra Blanca Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1986
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1986

About this map

The Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation dominates this high-altitude terrain, centered on the dramatic rise of Sierra Blanca Peak. This 1982 map details the complex drainage systems of the Sierra Blanca, where water sources like Mirror Springs and Cienegita Springs provide vital points of interest in a landscape of deep canyons and seasonal draws. The southern portion of the sheet features the broad formation known as The Rinconada, a significant geographical landmark that organizes the local topography.

Evidence of historical land use and resource management is scattered across the reservation, from the Lookout station at Cienegita to scattered stock-watering sites like Morris Well and Bernard Well. The map traces a network of remote transportation, including a Pack Trail and Jeep Trail, which provide access to the forks of the Rio Ruidoso. These features reflect a traditional economy reliant on water security in the high desert, marked by labels such as Jose Carrillo Spring and the curiously named Miserable Springs.