1996 Map of Stockton Pass

About this map

The Pinaleno Mountains dominate this high-altitude landscape in the Coronado National Forest, where topography rises sharply from the eastern desert floor to peaks like Ladybug Peak and Maverick Mountain. The map centers on the strategic Stockton Pass, a natural gateway used for livestock and travel between the Aravaipa and Gila valleys. Water is the defining constraint of this region, evidenced by the high density of named springs and tanks such as Alder Spring, Shake Spring, and the Bar X Tank. These water sources supported small-scale ranching operations, including the C N Ranch and Jernigan Ranch, which sit along the drainage of Stockton Wash. The presence of several benchmarked wells, such as Gillespie Well, and the Prospect Dam reflect the infrastructure required to sustain life and industry in the arid Graham County backcountry during the late twentieth century.