1972 Map of Trementina Canyon

About this map

The Purgatoire River cuts through the northwest corner of this Colorado landscape, defining a terrain of deep drainages and named ridges in Las Animas County. During the early 1970s, this area was characterized by a rural, ranching-oriented infrastructure, most notably centered around Walts Corner and its adjacent Picnic Area in the southeast. The map reveals the practical necessities of this remote country, including an isolated Landing Strip and several wells scattered across the high plains. Extensive canyon systems like Trementina Canyon, Gutiérrez Canyon, and Trujillo Canyon channel seasonal water toward the river, while landmarks like Pinon and Ridge provide orientation across the elevation changes. For local historians, the presence of various gravel pits suggests the small-scale industrial activity required for road maintenance in this sparsely populated region.