Facts: Carson Wilderness Areas

There is a total of approximately 113,403 acres of Wilderness (including the Columbine Hondo Study Area) within the Carson National Forest. Our Wilderness Areas include a significant amount of mountain tundra, which is a rare and fragile habitat in the Southwestern U.S.

Species within these Wilderness Areas include: Mule deer, American black bear, Badger, beaver, bobcat, coyote, ferret, mountain lion, marmot, fox, pika, muskrat, boreal owl.

Species of particular importance: Rio Grande cutthroat trout, ptarmigan, pine marten

Cruces Basin Wilderness
Designated Wilderness on December 19, 1980
Area: 18,000 acres
Elevation Range: 8,525 ft. to 10,840 ft.
No developed trails

Cruces Basin Wilderness is the Wilderness area furthest north in the state, located 1 mile south of the Colorado border and is decidedly more remote than the others. The north boundary is formed by the Rio del los Pinos, the Brazos ridge to the West, and San Antonio Mountain to the East.

Water
Cruces Creek, Beaver Creak and the Escondido, Osha, Diablo, and Lobo drainages.

Latir Peak Wilderness

Designated Wilderness Area on December 19, 1980
Area: 20,506 acres
Elevation Range: 8,400 ft. to 12,734 ft. at Venado Peak
Miles of trails: 24+ miles

Latir Peak is not actually within the Wilderness Boundary, but to the West, Latir Mesa is within the designated area.
Venado Peak 12,550
Versylvia Peak 12,594
Pinabette 11,948
Cabresto 12,448

Lakes Heart Lake, Cabresto Lake is just outside the Wilderness boundary

The area feeds the Acequias for El Rito, Cerro and Questa, San Antonio del Rio Colorado Land Grant as well as Cabresto Creek, which is also important for Questa, and eventually feeds into the Red River and the Rio Grande.

Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area

Designated as Wilderness Study Area December 19, 1980
Area: 30,500 (Largest of all the Wilderness Areas in the Carson)Originally the area included 43,276, but in 1986 the area was downsized to 30,500. The remaining 12,776 acres were recommended as nonwilderness because of their potential timber value and use as a semi-primitive vehicle recreation area. Today the acreage stands at 43,700 acres, according to the Forest Service.
Elevation Range: 7,900 ft to 12,711 ft at Gold Hill
Miles of Trails: Approx 75
Peaks Gold Hill 12,711 ft, Lobo Peak 12,102 ft, Flag Mountain 11,939 ft

Water
The area is an important watershed which provides Acequia waters for Lama, Questa, San Cristobal, Valdez and Desmontes. It is also the location for major headwaters for the Rio Hondo, Red River and San Cristobal Creek, which then feed into the Rio Grande therefore provide for the whole state as well.

Wildlife
The bighorned sheep can also be found here. There is a growing herd that roams and grazes around Gold Hill.

Wheeler Peak Wilderness (Class 1)

Designated as Wilderness Area in 1964
Area: 19, 661 acres
Elevation Range: 8,000 ft. to 13,161 ft. at Wheeler Peak
Miles of Trails: 37
Peaks: Wheeler Peak 13,161 (highest point in New Mexico), Frazier Mountain 12,163 ft., Simpson Peak  12,976 ft., Old Mike 13,113 ft.

Water
Lost Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Williams Lake

Contains important headwaters such as the South fork of the Rio Hondo, and Lake Fork, both important tributaries into the Rio Hondo

The Wilderness Area boundary is extends all the way down in the Southwest corner to the gaging station on the way to the Taos Ski Valley and is bordered by the El Salto Land Association on the West and extends up to Lake Fork Peak.

Wildlife
The Desert Bighorned sheep was listed as endangered in NM in 1980 with the population estimated at 69. Transplants, primarily from the captive breeding facility in Red Rock, increased numbers to just over 200, but they declined to about 166 by 2001.  Through radiocollaring and monitoring efforts in the 1990s, it was documented that approximately 85% of known-caused bighorn mortality was due to cougar predation.  In 2001, a program was implemented to kill cougars in designated areas surrounding desert bighorn herds.  Cougar removal and continued transplants increased the bighorn population to an estimated 435 in 2008, which met the requirements in the Recovery Plan to downlist bighorn to threatened status.  On December 4, 2008, the NM State Game Commission approved downlisting desert bighorn sheep in New Mexico to threatened.

Thirty-five bighorn sheep were transplanted out of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness in August 2008.  Reducing the number of bighorn sheep helps ensure that there are adequate resources to sustain the animals through the winter, which helps prevent die-offs from disease or other factors, and promotes growth of trophy quality rams.

Pecos Wilderness (Class 1)

Nearly 200,000 acres was designated as Wilderness Area in 1964 and an additional 55,000 acres was added in 1980, which includes the area managed by Carson.
Area: 223,667, Acres (24,736 acres is managed Carson National Forest the rest is in the jurisdiction of Santa Fe National Forest)
Elevation Range: 8,400 to 13,102 ft.
Miles of Trails in the whole area: 445
Miles within the Carson Section: approximately 25 miles

The section of the Pecos managed by The Taos Office extends SW from Las Trampas and San Leonard Lakes (headwater for the San Leonardo Creek) to Jicarita Peak in the NE corner.

Peaks

Jicarita Peak 12,835 ft. (which is one of the highest precipitation points in the state) Little Jocarita Peak 12,028 ft., Chimayosos Peak 12,507 ft., Truchas 13,103 ft.

Water in the area managed by the Carson
The Middle Fork  and West Fork of the Rio Santa Barbara, The Truchas Lake and San

Bull of the Woods to Gold Hill – Aug 5th

Mileage: 5 miles to summit

Elevation: trail head 10, 400 fto – summit 12,703 feet

The trail starts at the Taos Ski Valley in the Bull of the Woods parking lot. The trail is fairly steep at the beginning, and ascends some elevation for the 2 miles up to the Bull of the Woods pasture. At that point the Gold Hill trail leads off to the West and the Bull of the Woods Trail up to Wheeler continues and loops around to the Southeast past Frazier Mountain. The Gold Hill trail leading out of the Bull of the Woods pasture traverses switchbacks up a fairly steep incline, but the trail is in good condition, through a nice forest. The slope opens up into the view to the left where you look back onto the Ski Valley and Wheeler. The trail at this point becomes more level and meanders through a series of medows and woods eventually leading up more steeply to the fist bench below Gold Hill. On the trail we passed remnants of mining, test pits, possible collapsed mine shafts, some old equipment and some large log structures.

It’s pretty amazing imagining what it took to get that industry going at 12,00 ft! On the ridge looking up at Gold Hill, Rachel and I saw what looked like either a very large coyote or a wolf. He/She was on the ridge standing still looking at us and then trotted off down to towards Lobo Ridge. We were excited by the possibility that it was a wolf. It had coyote coloring, but it looked larger than most coyotes. I tried to snap a picture, but it was already too far away. After a break and some lunch we hiked the rest of the spectacular way up to the summit of Gold Hill. The name, Gold Hill, is certainly deceiving because when you are standing on top of it, looking out, far and wide in all four direction, you feel every bit of 12,703 feet that Gold Hill boasts. Chased off the summit by threatening clouds we returned the same way we came.

Wilderness Monitoring – August 1

Wheeler Wilderness

Up Gavilan Trail to Lobo Ridge and down Italianos Trail
Elevation: trail head is at 8,900 ft. and the ridge is 11,800 ft.

Today  two of us hiked  up Gavilan Trail 60 over Lobo Ridge and down the Italianos Trail.  This about an 8.5 mile loop.  This is a beautiful route.  Upper Gavilan Trail has two expansive  sloping short grass meadows that are very beautiful with vistas of Taos Ski Valley  and the peaks east of there.

The trail between Gavilan and Italianos along Lobo Ridge was steep in areas and is obviously seldom traveled and obvious trail disappears from lack of use for short stretches.  Granite rocks juts out in places.  This section of Lobo Ridge is narrow with steep slopes on either side.  The views are magnificent.  To the far northwest you can see Ute Mountain and low hills in Colorado.  Due north of the ridge you get a view of open mining piles from Molycorp mine.  To the east lies Gold Hill and southeast you can see Wheeler Peak.  To the south are the peaks that lie east of Wheeler including Vallecitos Peak, the top of El Salto Mountain and further beyond are the Truchas Peaks.  To the southwest is the Rio Grande Gorge and Tres Orejas Peaks.  As one approaches Italianos the ridge broaden out in soften grassy meadow.
Italianos is a beautiful trail with small open meadows here and there along the trail starting about 1 mile down.  The creek that runs down this canyon is striking.  The water dramatically slides and cascade over rock boulders  at the trails edge in the lower third of the canyon.

Columbine Wilderness Study Area

Columbine Canyon to skree field just below Lobo Ridge
Mileage: about 5 miles one way
Elevation: trailhead 8,000 ft. to 10,300 (11,200 to Lobo Ridge above)

Columbine Creek trail is a nice trail which follows Columbine Creek, as the name suggestions, up a canyon through several small meadows and into one larger meadow, often a destination for picnicers and those uninterested in climbing the vertical feet to Lobo Ridge. The next portion of trail is noticeably steeper. On this particular day we stopped for lunch and decided to call it a day below the ridge with promises to come back and finish what we started. The trail is well maintained and with sturdy bridges in the first half of the trail. As the trail progrsses stepping stones (which may be difficult to pass in high water) became the mode to cross the stream. Our dogs, who accompanied us on our hike, enjoyed the complimentary water along the way! There were two camps set up along the trail, but for a weekend day we encountered very few fellow hikers.

Wilderness Monitoring – July 31

Columbine and Wheeler Wilderness Areas

East Fork Trail to Horseshoe Lake,Wheeler and Simpson on Lost Lake trail
Elevation: Trail head 9,600 ft., Horseshoe Lake 11,400 ft., Wheeler 13,161 ft.

The trail head can be found by taking the right fork on the East side of Red River onto State Road 58, 6 miles to the end of the pavement, across the bridge turn right at the dirt road intersection and follow the dirt road to its’ end. The dirt road was very passable, though bumpy when we went, but in muddy conditions it could be challenging.

The East Fork trail is a delightfully low use trail and starts at 9,600 ft. High altitude wild flowers line the trail from the start. The well maintained trail gently winds its way up to a series of trail side campsites, a junction with Lost Lake trail and eventually up to Horseshoe Lake. The views from Horseshoe Lake are beautiful and panoramic without much vertical ascent. Mount Walter looms above, and beyond, is Wheeler in all its glory though one cannot see it from the lake. We saw marmots, deer, and big horned sheep. We hiked up past the lake onto the ridge overlooking the next valley. After a relaxing lunch we hiked across the gorgeous wild flower meadow and up towards Wheeler.

Claire (artist and Rivers and Birds employee):

I am watching the clouds; not in the sky but rather on the earth below. Their shadows move sweeping over the land, tracing topography, emphasizing swells and crevices. Wheeler Peak stands resolute and solid, inviting. Tom and I discuss possible future hiking routes. Breathing in a glorious view is second to nothing.

Tom (Wilderness Monitoring Volunteer):

In the soft curve of a mountain flank
wild flowers gather.

Wheeler Peak Weather
dry going up
wet going down

Wheeler Wilderness

Williams Lake Trail 2 miles each way
Elevation: trail begins at 10,300 ft. and ends at 11,100 ft.

William’s Lake Trailhead is always a delight.  It is somewhat steep, enough to give you good exercise, but very do-able as it is 2 miles from the trailhead to the lake.  It is also a sociable trail.  Today we observed 50 some other hikers on our route.   We pass all ages from 2 year olds to grandmothers to peak baggers, horsepackers and backpackers.  Near the lake we were greeted by marmots, white crowned sparrows and chipmunks that were none too shy.  Blue bells, larkspur, columbines and daisies.

My name is Teresa and I am seven years old.  I loved sitting down on the William’s Lake trail and being surrounded by wildflowers. I also loved this one gigantic rock about three turns before you get to the Lake. Even if it makes me tired, I love hiking to Williams Lake.

My name is Carolina McGarity and I am fifteen years old. Ever since the first time I went on it, William’s Lake has always been one of my favorite trails. It is a short hike with gorgeous forest scenery that wraps around the trail, resonating with the calls of birds and the touch of an occasional breeze. Once the trail crests at the top, the shimmering lake sparkles in the sun, surrounded by high mountains on every side, protecting it with their stunning, majestic beauty. Wildflowers gently cover every hill side and grassy meadow.

Wilderness Monitoring – July 29th

As part of the 2009 Wilderness Monitoring program that Rivers and Birds is conducting for the U.S. Forest Service, we will post trail reports and monitoring experiences to this blog. Below is a summary of our first day of monitoring:

7/29/09

Columbine Wilderness Study Area

Manzanita Ascent (4.5 miles) to Lobo Peak
Yerba Canyon Descent (3.9 miles) from Lobo Peak to Hwy 150
Elevation Gain: 3,600 feet

Trail Report:
Manzanita trail starts in parking lot across from East Taos Condos and Yerba Canyon starts a about a mile below, west on the same Road leading to the Taos Ski Valley. They are both wonderful trails and provide great views from Lobo peak! There are steep switchbacks on Yerba Canyon near Lobo peak; in general the top half of the trail is a fairly steep grade. The Upper sections of Manzanita are particularly steep, but the entire trail is a steady 4,000 ft. ascent. We also noticed that hiking poles spared our knees and that preventative arnica helped our muscles.

On this particular hike we experienced a gathering of 30+ youth  and counselors at Lobo peak! All were participating in summer camps and seemed to be excited to be out together enjoying the beautiful wilderness.

Wildlife Observed:
3 Grouse (near lower half of Yerba Canyon)
1 Sharp-shinned Hawk (Lobo Peak)
Green Snake (trail head of Yerba Canyon)
Warbling Vero (Manzanita)
Mountain Chikadee (mananita)
Chipmunks (all)
Squirrel (Yerba Canyon)
Possible cat or fox scat (all)
Bees (stung Roberta)
Butterflies (all especially in meadow below lobo peak and on Nuttles Sunflowers in lower half of Yerba Canyon)

Wildflowers/plants noted:
Cow parsnip
Arnica
Oregano
Tanzy
Wild mustard?
Wild parsley?
And many other wild flowers

Creative writing at Lobo Peak

Claire (Artist and Rivers and Birds Employee):

Cradled in a meadow just below Lobo Peak, my body absorbs rays from the sun, and sustenance from lunch; my mind tries to comprehend the space before me and my spirit rides on the backs of fluttering butterflies and a soaring sharp-shinned hawk. Clouds come, blossoming before me, poten-tial for afternoon rain colliding, morphing, merging, moving. The wind, having collected kisses from the valley below, now bestows them on the ridges and peaks; sounds of wind are thick between the branches of spruce and pine, soothing, ebbing and flowing like waves of mountaintop surf.

Roberta (Executive Director, Rivers and Birds):

We’ve just topped out of the Manzanita trail and we are resting on the lush grassy verdant slope below Lobo peak sprinkled with daisies and bright yellow buttercups, Queen Anne’s Lace and scarlet red Indian Paint Brush. The landscape drops dramatically at my feet into an evacuous panorama of deep, forested canyons with soft contours. Across the valley above timberline is a big, soft ridge that leads to Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in New Mexico. To the left is Gold hill. At this perspective it is a humble shoulder of a mountain. The soft breeze passing through the bristle cone pines permeates the soundscape with a shushing lullaby and an occasional locust buzz adds a rhythmic beat. My lungs expand and fill with a cool light refreshing air. This is a magnificent and peaceful place on our lovely planet. I feel at home with my great mother and so full of gratitude. I’m also delighted to have two great, strong and gentle female hiking companions that love this strenuous hike as much as I do.

Carolina (Rivers and Birds Teen Intern):

Summit of Lobo Peak
Buttercups cover the green hillside as it suddenly drops away into the vast valley. The mountains and ridges fade from green to blue as they deepen in the distance, with shadows fallen upon them from the sky. Butterflies chase each other, fluttering freely above the depths of pines. Happy and in-nocent, they descend onto fresh daisies, delicately opening and closing their painted wings.

Latir Wilderness

Heart Lake and Beyond (20 miles round trip)

Matt (Wilderness Ranger Carson Nation Forest):

The Latir Wilderness has some distinct advantages in comparison to other Wilderness areas in the Taos region.  Latir Wilderness has much lower usage in comparison to Columbine Wilderness Study Area as well as Wheeler Wilderness.  Latir’s lower usage gives visitors the opportunity to truly expe-rience the serenity and peacefulness of the wilderness.

Big Horned Sheep

There many days in Latir Wilderness where a hiker can explore above tree line and never bump into another hiker.  On my 20 mile hike through the Latir Wilderness the only other soul I saw were 20 big horn sheep.

The Latir trail system is difficult to follow.  If you are unfamiliar with the area please plan your route carefully and travel in a group.  Check the weather for the day you you plan to hike.  August is mon-soon season in the Rockies.

What is Wilderness?

Part of our mission with this blog is to explore the idea of Wilderness, both philosophically and experientially. What does Wilderness mean to you? Here are a couple of definitions to start us off……

wil·der·ness  (wldr-ns)
n.
1. An unsettled, uncultivated region left in its natural condition, especially:
a. A large wild tract of land covered with dense vegetation or forests.
b. An extensive area, such as a desert or ocean, that is barren or empty; a waste.
c. A piece of land set aside to grow wild.
2. Something characterized by bewildering vastness, perilousness, or unchecked profusion

DEFINITION OF WILDERNESS
(c) A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. An area of wilderness is further defined to mean in this Act an area of undeveloped Federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which (1) generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; (3) has at least five thousand acres of land or is of sufficient size as to make practicable its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition; and (4) may also contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value. (from http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=legisAct#2)

More about Wilderness and the Wilderness Act of 1964 can be found at http://www.wilderness.net/.

Welcome to Wilderness Near Taos!

Taos is in the unique position of being surrounded by three Wilderness Areas (Wheeler, Latir and Pecos Wilderness Areas) and one Wilderness Study Area (Columbine Wilderness Study Area).  This blog is dedicated to observing, describing, depicting and sharing aspects of these unique and beautiful Wilderness Areas near Taos. We will be posting trail descriptions and conditions, wildlife sitings, botanical information, photographs and artistic impressions.

This blog is maintained by Rivers and Birds, an organization that seeks to “provide experiential education which celebrates the interconnection of all life and which inspires individuals to be leaders for Earth stewardship and peace.”