2023 Map of Yankee

About this map

Yankee sits at the heart of this high-elevation landscape along the border of Colorado and New Mexico, where the plains of the Las Animas and Colfax counties meet the rise of the mesas. The terrain is defined by a series of volcanic plateaus, including the expansive Johnson Mesa, Barela Mesa, and Horse Mesa, which create a complex network of canyons and pockets. This modern survey illustrates how water management and natural drainage shape the region, with Lake Maloya situated in the northwest corner near Sugarite Canyon. The settlement pattern follows the contours of the land, with Carisbrook and Manco Burro Pass marking key points of transit through the canyons. Notable landforms like Potato Mountain and Towndrow Peak serve as prominent landmarks amidst the winding courses of East Fork Chicorica Creek and Bear Canyon, reflecting the enduring geography of this borderland territory.