2023 Map of White Peak

About this map

White Peak and the high mesa country of Northern New Mexico define this landscape at the boundary of Colfax and Mora Counties. This modern survey illustrates a complex high-elevation watershed where headwaters like Rayado Creek and Banderitas Creek originate near the Crater Peak summit. The presence of numerous named alpine water bodies, including Sawmill Lake, Caldwell Lake, and Salt Lake, indicates the seasonal hydrology of the Laguna Salada Mesa region. Named landmarks such as White Vega and Ortega Mesa suggest a history of high-country grazing and transit, while remote access points like Whites Peak Rd and Abreau Rd provide the only modern corridors through this steep topography. The map detail effectively captures the transition from peak-fed streams to the flat-topped mesas that characterize this portion of the Sangre de Cristo foothills.