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1953 Map of Sierra Mosca

Name: 1953 Topographic Map of Sierra Mosca
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1955
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1955

About this map

Santa Fe National Forest encompasses this high-altitude landscape of northern New Mexico, defined by the deep drainage basins of the Rio Medio and Rio Frijoles. This 1953 survey details a network of watercourses and canyons, including Cañon Navajo and Cañon Chimayo, that descend from the prominent peak of Sierra Mosca. The map documents a sparsely inhabited wilderness punctuated by remote outposts such as Agua Sarca Cabin and Pajarita Cabin, suggesting a landscape used primarily for seasonal grazing or forest management.

A complex system of trails, such as the Borrego Trail and Mosca Trail, provides the primary access through the steep terrain. The presence of the Santo Domingo de Cundiyo Grant Boundary and the Nambe Indian Res Boundary highlights the intersection of colonial-era land grants and tribal lands within the federally managed forest. Reliable water sources are noted at Cienaga Redonda Spring and along the Rito Gallina, essential markers for those navigating these mountain ridges.