1995 Map of Third Canyon

About this map

McPhaul Ranch sits at the heart of this high-altitude landscape in New Mexico, where the remote terrain of the Cibola National Forest is defined by a network of deep canyons and seasonal water sources. The map reveals the critical importance of water management for local ranching, documenting numerous engineered features such as Lobo Well, Mae Well, and the Freeland Arroyo Tank. The topographic complexity is marked by the prominent Third Canyon Mesa, which rises above a series of drainages including Alamocita Creek and Harrington Canyon. Evidence of land use and small-scale exploration appears in several prospect sites and a remote landing strip near the ranch. From the north-flowing Rio Salado to the isolated Trinchera Lake, the map traces the essential infrastructure of a working desert landscape, including named landmarks like the Swingle Windmill and Goat Tank.