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1960 Map of Taos Junction

Name: 1960 Topographic Map of Taos Junction
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1973
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1973

About this map

Carson National Forest dominates this landscape along the Rio Arriba and Taos county line, defined by a complex network of arroyos and canyons. The presence of the Old RR Grade cutting through the northeast corner reveals the remnants of historic transport routes that once served this high-elevation plateau. Small outposts and named locales like Solo and Taos Junction are situated near the railroad corridor, while Martinez Tank points to the essential role of water management in this arid environment.

Terrain features are meticulously named, from the prominent Cerro Azul and Mesa Vibora to the dramatic descent of the Comanche Rim. The intricate drainage patterns of Arroyo Stevens and Arroyo Sandlin carve through the landscape, illustrating the geological character of northern New Mexico before modern development altered these traditional boundaries. This map is particularly useful for tracing the physical geography of the Cañada de los Comanches and its relationship to early surveying and infrastructure.