Copyright: - US Forest Service
Santa Fe National Forest
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Description - The Santa Fe National Forest encompasses 1,567,181 acres in
two divisions. The diverse topographic and climatic conditions
create a wide variety of landforms and plant and animal
habitats. East of the Rio Grande, the southern Sangre de
Cristo Mountains dominate the Pecos Division. These mountains
are crowned by the spectacular Pecos Wilderness where 13,101
foot Truchas Peak shares winter snows with other lofty spires.
Attractions
- The headwaters of the Pecos River are great scenery,
magnificent forests of aspen, pine, fir and spruce, big and
small game and many trout streams. Sloping gradually
southward, the Pecos Division is some 50 miles long and 25
miles wide. It includes the popular Santa Fe Ski Basin on
the west and, farther south, historic Glorieta Pass and the
old Santa Fe trail. Across the Rio Grande to the west lie
a cluster of ranges including the Jemez Mountains, which
rise to nearly 12,000 feet at the summit of Chicoma Peak,
and San Pedro Parks Wilderness. Scattered through these
mountains are extensive private holdings and the nuclear
research facilities at Los Alamos, several Indian pueblos,
and Bandelier National Monument, but most of the land is
within the Jemez Division of Santa Fe National Forest. The
predominant geographical feature is the volcanic caldera
indicated by the Valle Grande and the definite ring of
mountains surrounding the valley. In the Santa Fe, you'll
find the headwaters of the Pecos Jemez, and Gallinas Rivers,
mountain streams, lakes and trout fishing. The Rio Chama,
East Fork of the Jemez, and Pecos River are designated Wild
and Scenic Rivers. Scenic drives are State Highways 4, 126,
and 96 in the Jemez Mountains; State Highway 63 up the Pecos
River to Cowles; Gallinas Canyon west of Las Vegas; or up to
the Santa Fe Ski Area out of Santa Fe. Cultural attractions
of this area include Indian Pueblos which can be visited,
Indian ruins, and Spanish missions. The Santa Fe
National Forest encompasses four wilderness areas. The
Pecos Wilderness, which contains 223,333 acres, lies at the
southern end of the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, at
the headwaters of the Pecos River. The San Pedro Parks
Wilderness covers 41,132-acres of a high, moist plateau of
rolling mountaintops with alternating areas of dense spruce
and open mountain meadows. The 50,300-acre Chama River
Wilderness includes a 6-mile Wild and Scenic segment of the
Chama River with the many-hued sandstone bluffs rising to
high rims on both sides. The Dome Wilderness is only 5,200
acres but is situated adjacent to Bandelier Wilderness in
Bandelier National Monument and area provides a continuous
expanse of primitive canyon-land environments similar to
those found within the National Monument.
Recreation - The magnificent mountain scenery and cool high elevation
summer temperatures lure vacationers to enjoy the peace and
quiet for camping, horseback riding, pack trips, river
rafting, lake or stream trout fishing, and elk, deer, or
turkey hunting. Winter activities include downhill and
cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and
snowmobiling. The Santa Fe has campgrounds scattered
throughout the Forest. For those who want to get away, the
Santa Fe provides opportunities for dispersed car camping
and backcountry camping as well.
Whitewater rafting
on the Rio Chama is good from May through September. Santa
Fe Ski Basin offers some great downhill skiing and
snowboarding. Climate - The day to night temperature change is extreme, especially
above 7,000 feet. Even in summer, nights are cool to cold
depending on elevation. You'll find snow at timberline until
June. Expect frequent afternoon showers in July and August.
Winter brings heavy snows to the higher elevations and
temperatures can dip below zero. Sunny days are common
however, even in the winter, with temperatures reaching into
the 30's and 40's. Location -
The Santa Fe National Forest is located in Northern New
Mexico, around the communities of Santa Fe, Espanola, Cuba and
Las Vegas, New Mexico. The Rio Chama runs along the northwest
end of the Forest and the Rio Grande splits the Forest from
north to south. Interstate 25, U.S. Highway 84, and State
Highways 4 and 96 all run through portions of the Santa Fe
National Forest.
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