2013 Map of Slaughter Mesa

About this map

The Apache National Forest dominates this high-altitude terrain in Catron County, where the Continental Divide winds through the southern reaches of the Slaughter Mesa quadrangle. The landscape is a network of deep drainage systems, most notably Largo Canyon and Salvador Canyon, which define the water movement across the mesa. At the western edge, El Caso Lookout stands as a sentinel over El Caso Lake and the surrounding timberland. This area is characterized by its vital water sources in an arid environment, represented by a dense concentration of named springs and tanks. Remote outposts and stock water points like Lyles Camp Spring, Cooper Seep Spring, and Gooseberry Pit are scattered throughout the forest, connected by primitive routes such as State Rte 93 and FS RD 13. The geography illustrates the reliance on these isolated watering holes for forestry and ranching operations near the Mangas Mountains.