1983 Map of Tularosa Mountains

About this map

Gila National Forest and Apache National Forest dominate this high-altitude landscape in western New Mexico, where the Continental Divide winds through the Tularosa Mountains and Mangas Mountains. The topography is defined by sharp peaks like Eagle Peak and Milligan Mountain, while the northeast corner opens into the broad Plains of San Agustin. Settlement centers on the valley of the San Francisco River, which links the village of Reserve with San Francisco Plaza and Lower San Francisco Plaza. Remote outposts such as Old Horse Springs and the Negrito Airstrip illustrate the sparse, high-desert character of Catron County in the early 1980s. The convergence of the Tularosa River and various creeks like Negrito Creek shows the critical role of water in this arid mountain environment.