2016 Map of Valdez

About this map

The Purgatoire River carves through the northern reaches of this Colorado landscape, defining the fertile Picketwire Valley where the settlements of Valdez and Segundo are situated. This area reflects a long-standing rural community structure, with local history preserved at the San Juan Cem and Tijeras Cem. The terrain south of the river valley is a complex network of named drainages, including the uniquely titled Widow Woman Canyon and its various forks, alongside Rita Canyon and Madrid Canyon. This topographic arrangement suggests a landscape dominated by ranching and small-scale transit, with routes like Madrid Canyon Rd and Fairview Valley Rd navigating the deep incisions of Martinez Canyon and Sowbelly Canyon. The naming of features such as Opposite Joe Baker Canyon and Penitente Canyon points to a localized, family-based geography typical of the region's historical development.