2013 Map of U Bar Ridge

About this map

The Big Hatchet Mountains dominate the eastern landscape of this 2013 survey, where the peaks descend into the arid Playas Valley. This corner of Hidalgo County reveals a history of industrial exploration, most notably evidenced by the Humble Oil and Refining Number 1 site in the southern reaches. The map documents a sparsely populated ranching and mining region where water management is critical, shown through features like Las Cienegas Spring, Big Tank, and Little Tank. Running through the western portion of the quadrangle, NM-81 serves as the primary artery connecting the valley to the surrounding New Mexico desert. The dramatic limestone formations of U Bar Ridge and the steep contours of Thompson Canyon provide clear markers for anyone navigating this high-desert terrain near the international border.