1971 Map of Tercio

About this map

The coal-mining settlement of Tercio sits at the base of the Ute Hills within the massive historical tract known as the Beaubien and Miranda (Maxwell Grant). During the early 1970s, the landscape here remained heavily defined by its industrial past, specifically the coal operations of the Tercio Mine and Vega Mine located along Quatro Creek. The topography is etched with numerous deep drainages such as Apache Canyon and Alamosito Canyon, which feed into the South Fork Purgatoire River. The transportation network is notably historical, featuring an Old Railroad Grade that once served the mines and a series of Jeep Trails providing access to remote landmarks like the Drill Hole. Water management for this arid landscape is evident in the Rincon Ditch and small catchments like Dead Horse Lake and Bingham Lake.