Wilderness

The Chama River Canyon Wilderness was also designated by Congress in 1978, and encompasses 50,300 acres, with only 2,949 acres on the Carson (Figure A-3). It is managed entirely by the Santa Fe National Forest. The Wild and Scenic Rio Chama, managed jointly by the Santa Fe National Forest and the BLM, is popular among river rafters and canoeists and 6 miles run through the wilderness with colorful sandstone bluffs and impressive rock formations that rise to high rims on both riverbanks.

Varying canyon elevations also provide a wide range of vegetation, from low-lying piñon-juniper woodland to ponderosa pine and fir. Fishing opportunities abound and onshore residents include mule deer, black bears, elk, coyotes, and mountain lions. Between 70 and 80 different bird varieties are found in the Chama River Canyon.

Designated by Congress in December 2014, the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness is the newest addition to the Carson’s wilderness system. Before its designation, Columbine-Hondo was a wilderness study area since 1980.

The current boundary encompasses 43,706 acres (Figure A-3) but may change slightly when the area is surveyed using the legal description outlined in the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Act (Public Law 113-291). The Columbine-Hondo Wilderness is adjacent to the Wheeler Peak Wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Elevation ranges from 7,600 to 12,700 feet. There is an extensive and popular trail system that accesses the area from various points along New Mexico State route 150 in Hondo Canyon, as well as other plentiful recreation opportunities, including viewing scenery, wildlife watching, picnicking, camping, and hunting.

There are several scenic landmarks, including Gold Hill, Lobo Peak, and Flag Mountain. Elk, deer, bear, coyote, and birds of prey can be found within the area and beavers have created small ponds on many of the streams. Wildflowers bloom throughout the spring and summer and a variety of berries, mushrooms, and herbs can be gathered seasonally along the drainages.

The Columbine-Hondo Wilderness shares many similarities with the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. They are adjacent to each other, receive high levels of use, offer easy access to wilderness opportunities, and have a high number of trails popular for day hikes. Like Wheeler Peak, the area is also popular for larger group sizes of 15 people or more and the occasional school group will visit the wilderness as well.

Since this is a newly designated wilderness, the Carson is beginning to conduct inventories and address management of its use. Signage will be assessed, along with new information released about the newly added wilderness. Illegal mountain bike use is a management challenge that may increase in the future as the activity continues to grow in popularity.

The Cruces Basin Wilderness was also designated by Congress in 1980. This is the smallest wilderness on the Carson, spanning 18,867 acres, just south of the New Mexico-Colorado border (Figure A-3). It is located northwest of Tres Piedras, in the southern San Juan Mountains. Lack of designated trails and difficult access contribute to the pristine nature of this wilderness and provide excellent opportunities for solitude. All trails in this wilderness are either angler-created or game trails, with just one well-established route entering the wilderness from Osha Canyon, on the southern border.

Mountain plateau surrounds and forms the boundary between the Cruces Basin and Brazos area, adjoining to the west and southwest. Elevations range from 8,600 to 10,900 feet, featuring spruce, fir, and aspen forests, interspersed with grassy meadows and prominent rock features. The lush meadows found throughout the basin provide important summer range for elk. Mountain lions, black bear, and many other birds and mammals can be seen as well. Diablo and Beaver Creeks, located in the southern portion of the basin, are popular with fly fishermen, due to their abundant brook trout.

The Cruces Basin Wilderness is the least visited wilderness on the Carson. It is also the most difficult to access, along 15 miles of dirt road that receives little maintenance. Unlike all the Carson’s other wildernesses, Cruces Basin is situated in a bowl rather than along and around mountainous peaks. It also has no designated trails.

The Latir Peak Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1980 and spans a total of 20,405 acres north of Questa, New Mexico (Figure A-3). This remote area contains deep forest cover interrupted by meadows and streams, with alpine tundra and alpine lakes found at higher elevations. Cabresto Lake is the most popular access point. From the lake, the Lake Fork Trail follows Cabresto Creek north to Heart Lake, Baldy Mountain, and Latir Mesa, all of which are within the wilderness.

The Latir Wilderness’s primary access is through the Cabresto Lake area. One feature that stands out is historic Baldy cabin, characterizing the history of the area. This wilderness has many trails, but use is comparatively low with respect to the Carson’s other wildernesses, thus providing more opportunities for solitude.

The Pecos Wilderness was also designated by Congress in 1964. Jointly managed with the Santa Fe National Forest, the Pecos Wilderness spans a total of 250,020 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, southeast of Peñasco and north of Santa Fe (Figure A-3). The Carson manages about 25,000 acres north of the Santa Barbara Divide Trail, which is the least visited portion of the wilderness. Currently, the northern portion of the Pecos Wilderness is the largest wilderness managed by the Carson.

Elevations on the Carson side of the Pecos Wilderness range from 8,000 to 12,835 feet, atop Jicarita Peak. South Truchas Peak (13,103 feet), the second highest point in New Mexico, is located just south of the Santa Barbara Divide, on the Santa Fe National Forest side of the Pecos Wilderness. Stands of spruce, fir, pine, and aspen are interspersed with canyons, mesas, rugged peaks and ridges, clear streams, meadows, and multiple lakes. The topography and scenery of this wilderness are diverse, creating a myriad of opportunities for recreation and habitat for elk, mule deer, black bear, turkey, and Rocky Mountain big horn sheep.

On the Carson portion of this wilderness, the Santa Barbara access is the most popular, along the Middle Fork Trail. The first 3 to 4 miles of this trail are characterized by high use and are popular for larger groups, such as school groups. After the first 3 to 4 miles, however, use drops dramatically. Portions of the Pecos Wilderness on the Carson are known for their steep and rugged terrain. This serves to funnel use along streams and trails, where the terrain is gentler. Equestrian use is popular on the Carson’s side of the Pecos Wilderness and many people begin from the Santa Fe National Forest’s southern end and exit north from the Carson’s side, or vice versa.

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The Wheeler Peak Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1964. It is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost reach of the Rockies and spans 18,457 acres (Figure A-3). Wheeler Peak, is the highlight of this area; rising to 13,161 feet above sea level, it is the highest point in New Mexico. This feature attracts many visitors, making Wheeler Peak the most heavily used wilderness within the Carson.

Many of the high peaks and ridges in this area are covered by alpine tundra, rare in the American Southwest. Rocky Mountain big horn sheep are abundant year-round in this habitat type and may exhibit habituation to human presence, allowing visitors to gain a close look at these unique animals. The Wheeler Peak Wilderness is also home to elk, mule deer, golden eagles, marmots, martens, pikas, mountain lions, and black bears. Perhaps the most unusual resident of this area is the white-tailed ptarmigan found in the alpine tundra. Approximately 40 inches of precipitation fall in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness annually, making the winter months ideal for backcountry and cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoeing.

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Aside from having the tallest peak in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak Wilderness also has easy access that is paved up to its trailheads. There are limited opportunities for solitude in portions of this wilderness, given its high level of use. The boundary for the Wheeler Peak Wilderness was modified to allow mountain bike use on the Lost Lake loop under the same 2014 legislation that designated the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness, resulting in no net loss of wilderness acres. The Wheeler Peak Wilderness has a ‘limits of acceptable change’ document guiding management of the area.