Loading map...

2023 Map of Valle Grande Peak

Name: 2023 Topographic Map of Valle Grande Peak
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 2023
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 2023

About this map

Valle Grande Peak dominates this high-country landscape within the Carson National Forest, where a network of seasonal drainages and springs defines the remote terrain. The presence of Ranchitos and the named Jarita Ranches suggests a long history of high-altitude livestock grazing, supported by specialized infrastructure like Chupa Rosas Tank and Los Gatos Tank. The intricate drainage system of Arroyo Seco and Cañon de la Madera flows through the Ortega Mountains, revealing how water access dictated land use in this part of Rio Arriba County.

Evidence of early movement across the mesas is visible in the Truck Trail and forest routes like FDR 44, which navigate complex features such as Sotano Saddle and the Rincon de Tio Francisquito. Significant local landmarks including Potrero Waterfall and Jacal De Palo Spring provide specific points of interest for those studying the environmental history and hydrography of the San Juan Mountains' southeastern reaches.