FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT - New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

More documents

Recommendations

Info

d i s c o v e r NewMexico Bosque del Apache Wilderness Areas by Michael Scialdone Most people from New Mexico and around the US know of Bosque del Apache (Bosque, for short) as a premier spot for bird watching as discussed in our article on page 17. It is likely that very few know that out of the Bosque’s 57,000 acres, over 30,000 acres are permanently protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. There are three separate units – Chupadera Mountains (5,282 acres), Indian Wells (5,140 acres), and Little San Pascual Mountain (19,760 acres). of roads, power lines, and pipelines. While many other land management agencies were (and unfortunately still are) stuck in a mode of Wilderness only being suitable for recreation (human-centered), Dick and many others in the Fish and Wildlife Service at the time saw Wilderness in protective terms (ecocentered). There are many ways to protect the land, but none work better than designated Wilderness. Dick’s legacy is a Refuge that will forever be undeveloped desert habitat to complement its wetland oasis. Part of the obscurity of these three areas is that they do not fi t the classic mold of Wilderness. No alpine peaks jutting above timberline, no river traversing a deep canyon. Little San Pascual Mountain on the east side of the Bosque and Chupadera Mountain on the west side rise 1,025 feet and 1,773 feet from the Rio Grande respectively, enough topography to get them noticed, but understated in Rocky Mountain terms. These areas offer serenity and subtle desert grandeur with many archeological and geological sites to explore and ponder. On January 3, 1975, Congress designated the Wilderness areas now found in the Bosque along with other refuges around the country. Dick Rigby was Refuge Manager at the time and is credited with pushing the Wilderness idea forward as the best way to protect the Bosque from the continuing encroachment Next time you are visiting Bosque del Apache and you feel like getting off the beaten path, try one of the three Wilderness areas for something different. Chupadera Mountains can be accessed via a trailhead inside the Bosque just south of where Hwy 1 crosses the railroad. The trail winds 5 miles up to the named feature of Chupadera Mountain itself. This will be NMWA’s Saturday hike for March 12th (see page 15 for details). Taking the dirt road going west from the San Antonio exit will also provide access to the Chupadera Mountains (skip the fi rst main-road offshoot and continue under the power line, heading west). Until the dirt road drops into a tight canyon, most of the lands in the area are public. In fact, during NMWA’s on-the-ground inventory of this area, we identifi ed over 8,000 acres of BLM lands that would be a suitable addition to the Chupadera Mountains Wilderness. Indian Wells is truly the best of these 3 areas because it has no signifi cant topographical features. About a mile south of the Bosque headquarters, a pleasant 2.5- mile nature trail loop hike going through the Wilderness makes a nice stop when traveling on I-25. Little San Pascual Mountain is more of an adventure. About 8 miles east of San Antonio, a main dirt road leads south from Hwy 380, along the western boundary of White Sands Missile Range. Follow this road as it turns west around Sand Mountain and then continues south again at a large windmill. On the west side of this windmill is a good place to park. Then follow the dirt track that goes across the Antelope Wilderness Study Area adjacent to the Bosque and Wilderness boundary. Cross the fence and pick your path toward the mountain. Though only a 700 foot rise from here, Little San Pascual is the only thing protruding from the immense Jornada del Muerto for many miles and the view is simply stunning. Recently, a hardy group of NMWA hikers visited this Wilderness and were surprised to discover elk tracks and scat in the sandy desert of this area and through the deep arroyo they hiked back. However, the best surprise for the group was a nice display of petroglyphs found on the east side of Little San Pascual. Thanks to a few forward-thinking souls in 1975, this type of experience will always be part of the Bosque. Fast FACTS Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Size: 57,000 acres Established in 1939 Crane count in 1939 – 17(!) Today – 17,000 along with 30,000 snow geese, 20,000 ducks (14 species), endangered whooping cranes, road runners, and over 300 other avian species. Other critters: mule deer, porcupines, rattlesnakes, coyotes, elk in migration. Wilderness Areas: Chupadera Mountains (5,282 acres), Indian Wells (5,140 acres), and Little San Pascual Mountain (19,760 acres). Wilderness Designations: January 3, 1975 Best seasons: fall through spring Page 4 Spring 2005
getting out there A New Hiking Opportunity in the Organ Mountains now protected for the public to enjoy. The trailhead is just a short drive from Las Cruces and there is no fee for the day use area. From the University exit #1 on Interstate 25 in Las Cruces, head northeast on University Avenue (which eventually turns into Dripping Springs Road). In 4.8 miles, turn right onto Soledad Canyon Road and head south. In another three-quarters of a mile, turn left at the fi re station and head east (which is still Soledad Canyon Road). The pavement road turns to gravel four miles from the fi re station, but is maintained for low clearance vehicles. Four and a half miles east of the fi re station, the road ends at the trailhead. This is basically a loop hike and can be hiked in either direction. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. From the parking area, go through the gate and hike east along the old abandoned jeep trail. In a short distance, the trail splits as it approaches the arroyo in Bar Canyon. Turn to the southeast here and follow the trail as it heads toward the prominent landmark of Chimney Rock. In about a half-mile, you will begin to approach the Fort Bliss Military Boundary. Although the old road you are hiking on continues to the southeast, turn left onto the trail and head north toward the northern fork of Bar Canyon. In about three-quarters of a mile, the trail intersects another old road in Bar Canyon. Turn right onto the old roadway and head northeast. In a short distance, the loop trail leaves the old road and heads back to the west. At this point, you can continue on the road to the northeast a short distance and explore the ruins of an historic rock homestead. From the historic ruins in the upper end of Bar Canyon, head back down the old road a short distance to the trail junction and turn right onto the trail and head to the west. This trail loops out to the west and southwest, then back to the east where it intersects the old road once again. Turn right here and follow the trail back about three-quarters of a mile to the southwest and the parking area at the trailhead. Excerpted from “Day Hikes and Nature Walks in the Las Cruces – El Paso Area” by Greg Magee The BLM recently developed a great new trail in the heart of the Organ Mountains. It is a relatively easy 3-mile loop hike into Bar Canyon, which is also called Soledad Canyon. Until recently, this was part of a private ranch, but BLM was able to acquire the parcel through a land exchange and this scenic canyon is New Mexico WILD! Page 5
Page 1 and 2: www.nmwild.org NEW MEXICO CONGRESSM
Page 3: part to conserve energy and decreas
Page 7 and 8: Ojito Wilderness Act of 2005 Gets E
Page 9 and 10: Protect Our Public Lands Rally By N
Page 11 and 12: Preserving New Mexico’s Natural R
Page 13 and 14: involved. IT’S PEOPLE THAT MAKE A
Page 15 and 16: OTERO MESA HIKES! See Back Cover Sp
Page 17 and 18: Got a Spare Weekend?? by Steve West
Page 19 and 20: orderform New Mexico Wilderness All

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT - New Mexico Wilderness Alliance

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?