Loading map...

2017 Map of Taos Junction

Name: 2017 Topographic Map of Taos Junction
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2017
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2017

About this map

Taos Junction sits at a critical topographic transition within the Carson National Forest, where the high plains meet the intricate drainage systems of the Rio Grande basin. The landscape is defined by its water management history, evidenced by a dense network of catchment features including Martínez Tank, McKenzie Tank, and Jose Tank. These landmarks, often named for local families or geographical features, tell a story of land use in a region where water is the primary architect of settlement.

Elevations vary significantly across the quadrangle, from the heights of Cerro Azul and Mesa Vibora to the deep cuts of Cañada Embudo and Cañon Seco. The boundary between Rio Arriba and Taos County traverses the southern and western portions of the map, marking the administrative edges of these high-desert communities. Small locales like Solo and the namesake Taos Junction remain the primary points of human orientation amidst the arroyos and forest roads.