Pecos Wilderness
Encyclopedia
The Pecos Wilderness is a protected wilderness area within the Santa Fe National Forest
and Carson National Forest
. The Pecos Wilderness is in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
of north central New Mexico
, easily accessible from Santa Fe
, the state capital. Covering an area of 223667 acres (90,514.9 ha), it is the second largest wilderness in the state after the Gila Wilderness
. An area just shy of 200000 acres (80,937.2 ha) was given wilderness protection by Congress in 1964. Congress protected an additional 55000 acres (22,257.7 ha) in 1980.
The Pecos Wilderness boasts one of the highest concentrations of peaks exceeding 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) in elevation in the state of New Mexico
, including Santa Fe Baldy
, 12622 feet (3,847.2 m), the highest point in Santa Fe County
, and South Truchas Peak
, 13102 feet (3,993.5 m), the second highest peak in the state.
The Pecos Wilderness lies within the Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, and the Pecos Ranger District and Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.
Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest is a protected national forest in northern New Mexico in the Southwestern United States. It was established in 1915 and covers 1,567,181 acres . Elevations range from 5,300 feet to 13,103 feet at the summit of Truchas Peak, located within the Pecos Wilderness...
and Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest
Carson National Forest is a national forest in northern New Mexico, United States. It encompasses 6,070 square kilometers and is administered by the United States Forest Service...
. The Pecos Wilderness is in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains. They are located in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in the United States...
of north central New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, easily accessible from Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
, the state capital. Covering an area of 223667 acres (90,514.9 ha), it is the second largest wilderness in the state after the Gila Wilderness
Gila Wilderness
Gila Wilderness was designated the world's first wilderness area on June 3, 1924. Along with Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Blue Range Wilderness, the wilderness is part of New Mexico's Gila National Forest. The wilderness is approximately from north to south and east to west...
. An area just shy of 200000 acres (80,937.2 ha) was given wilderness protection by Congress in 1964. Congress protected an additional 55000 acres (22,257.7 ha) in 1980.
The Pecos Wilderness boasts one of the highest concentrations of peaks exceeding 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) in elevation in the state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, including Santa Fe Baldy
Santa Fe Baldy
Santa Fe Baldy is a prominent summit in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico, United States, located 15 mi northeast of Santa Fe. There are no higher mountains in New Mexico south of Santa Fe Baldy...
, 12622 feet (3,847.2 m), the highest point in Santa Fe County
Santa Fe County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*76.2% White*0.9% Black*3.1% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*14.9% Other races*50.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, and South Truchas Peak
Truchas Peak
Truchas Peak is the second highest independent peak in the US State of New Mexico. It is in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains 26 mi northeast of Santa Fe. It lies within the Pecos Wilderness, part of the Santa Fe National Forest...
, 13102 feet (3,993.5 m), the second highest peak in the state.
The Pecos Wilderness lies within the Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, and the Pecos Ranger District and Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest.