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1967 Map of Trinchera Ranch

Name: 1967 Topographic Map of Trinchera Ranch
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1971
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1971

About this map

The Sangre de Cristo Grant forms the backdrop of this landscape, where high-country drainage systems converge in Costilla County. By the late 1960s, the terrain shows a mix of historical remnants and active ranching operations, centered on the Trinchera Ranch and the small settlement at Mortimer. The Denver and Rio Grande Western railroad tracks run parallel to the Sangre de Cristo Creek, marking a primary transportation corridor through the valley floor.

Genealogists and local researchers can pinpoint the Garland City (Site) and a nearby Cem, reflecting earlier periods of settlement that predated the mid-century topography. Water management is a defining feature of the area, evidenced by the Mountain Home Reservoir, the West Indian Creek Ditch, and a Gaging Sta on Trinchera Creek. From the heights of Cat Mountain to the depths of Coyote Canyon, the map illustrates a complex network of pack trails and jeep roads used to navigate the rugged foothills.