1972 Map of Travesser Park

About this map

Jesus Mesa dominates the northern skyline of this high-plains landscape where the Colorado and New Mexico state line meets the boundary between Las Animas and Union counties. The topography is defined by the incision of the Dry Cimarron River and its numerous tributaries, including Travesser Creek and Cooty Canyon. This is a land of ranching and resource management, evidenced by the scattered infrastructure of a Water Tank, a remote Landing Strip in Travesser Park, and a Gaging Sta monitoring the river flow. The area's navigation is dictated by the rugged breaks, with the Jones Canyon Trail and various unpaved tracks providing access to prominent landmarks like Baldy Hill. The map captures a moment in the early 1970s when the drainage network, including Miller Canyon and Gripe Canyon, remained the primary structural element for those working this borderlands terrain.