Open-file Report - 575
Landforms of the central Jornada del Muerto: Influencing the path of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (El Camino Real) is a 1600 mile long trail linking Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo/Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico, which was in use from 1598 to the 1880s. The Jornada Del Muerto, located in southern New Mexico, was reportedly one of the most feared sections along El Camino Real due, primarily, to the scarcity of water. It is thought that water availability largely influenced the travel route and locations of parajes (campsites) in the Jornada Del Muerto.

This report describes the second part of a two-part paleohydrologic study of the central Jornada Del Muerto conducted by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) for the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA). This portion of the study focuses on the classification and mapping of landforms in proximity to the route of El Camino Real that potentially have implications for paleohydrologic conditions in the past. The landforms and relative stability of their surfaces also have implications regarding the ultimate location of the main route as it crosses the Jornada del Muerto. In addition to presenting a map of landforms within the study area, this document details the methods used to delineate these landforms as well as description and photos of the various landform components.

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