2023 Map of Taos Junction

About this map

Taos Junction serves as a primary geographic anchor where the high desert terrain of the Rio Grande Valley meets the foothills of the Carson National Forest. This high-altitude landscape is defined by its water management, evidenced by a network of livestock tanks scattered across the arid range, including Martinez Tank, McKenzie Tank, and Vibora Tank. The map reveals the stark geological transitions of the region, from the volcanic rise of Cerro Azul and the prominent Mesa Vibora to the steep drop-offs of the Comanche Rim. A small settlement at Solo and the presence of Forest Rd 556 highlight the limited human footprint in this part of northern New Mexico, where the boundary between Rio Arriba and Taos counties cuts through open country drained by the Canada Embudo.