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Carson National Forest

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Carson National Forest is a national forest in northern New Mexico , United States. It encompasses 6,070 square kilometers (1.5 million acres) and is administered by the United States Forest Service . The Forest Service's "mixed use" policy allows for its use for recreation, grazing, and resource extraction.

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61-669: The forest is disjunct with four separate areas managed by six ranger districts. On the east side in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are two districts that are separated by the Taos Pueblo . The west side of the forest has three are conjoined districts in the San Juan Mountains , sandwiched between the Santa Fe and Rio Grande national forests, and another in the San Juan Basin . The forest

122-655: A National Natural Landmark in 1976 as one of the best known examples of igneous dikes . The mountains can be seen from as far as 133 mi (214 km) to the north from Colorado Springs , 65 mi (105 km) to the south from Raton, New Mexico , and 85 mi (137 km) to the east from La Junta, Colorado . The Culebra Range runs almost due north and south, with its northern limit at La Veta Pass in Colorado, and its southern limit at Costilla Creek , just south of Big Costilla Peak in New Mexico. Its highest point

183-405: A U.S. postmaster changed its name to Questa. The postmaster misspelled the name, as it should have been spelled "Cuesta," which is Spanish for "ridge" or "slope." Despite the error, the village has kept the name. The Oshara tradition dated to about 3000 BCE is the first known archaeological evidence of Native American (Indians) residence near Questa. The Oshara were possibly the ancestors of

244-561: A few French/Americans. The New Mexican government encouraged settlement on its frontiers by land grants to Mexican citizens (which included many of Anglo and French descent). Large grants of land were made to prospective settlers in 1836 and 1841 and the town of San Antonio del Rio Colorado was legally established in 1842. New Mexico became part of the United States after the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848. Indian raids in

305-617: A high ridge separating the San Luis Valley on the west from the watershed of the Arkansas River on the east. The Crestones are a group of four 14,000 feet (4,000 m)+ peaks ( fourteeners ) in the Sangre de Cristo Range above Crestone, Colorado . The Spanish Peaks are a pair of mountains, West Spanish Peak , 13,626 ft (4,153 m), and East Spanish Peak , 12,860 ft (3,920 m), located in southwestern Huerfano County , Colorado . The Spanish Peaks were designated

366-664: A rich agricultural history and has been the scene of land disputes between the descendants of Hispanic settlers and Anglo ranchers since the 1860s. The Taos Mountains span the western lobe of the range from Costilla Creek in the north, to Tres Ritos in the south. They include the highest point in New Mexico, Wheeler Peak , at 13,161 feet (4,011 m), which is part of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness . Other notable peaks include Pueblo Peak, which at 12,305 feet (3,751 m) rises dramatically above Taos Pueblo , and Latir Peak , at 12,708 feet (3,873 m). Williams Lake

427-559: A roundabout route northward to avoid conflict with the Puebloans. Vargas and his expedition of 100 men passed by the future site of Questa along the "Rio Colorado" ( Red River of New Mexico ). He noted that the area was inhabited by the " Apaches de Acho". Utes , who were hostile to the Spanish, also lived nearby. Bison were plentiful in the region. The hostility of the Ute and Apache – and later

488-657: A settlement at Rio Colorado. In 1817, the military in Rio Colorado refused entry into New Mexico and arrested French/American traders Auguste Pierre Chouteau and Jules de Mun and confiscated their goods. By 1822, the settlement was abandoned "for feer of the Indeans now at War With them." Mexican independence from Spain in 1821 resulted in a more tolerant attitude toward Americans by the New Mexican government. By 1829, Rio Colorado had been resettled, mostly by Hispanics but also by

549-558: A southwestern outlier of the group, rises closest to Questa. To the southeast lies Flag Mountain, a northwestern spur of the group of mountains that includes Wheeler Peak , the highest peak in New Mexico. To the north and west lie the Rio Grande Gorge , cutting a volcanic plateau dotted with several peaks of volcanic origin in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Questa was originally named San Antonio del Rio Colorado . In 1883,

610-638: A summer event series that celebrates art, youth, and the environment in special sub-themed events, including Mud Bogg, the Questa Fiesta, and Alumbra de Questa. Questa has two local parks: the Municipal Park and the Moly Park. The Moly Park contains public athletic fields. Surrounding Questa are the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument and the Carson National Forest. Outside Questa's Village limits

671-563: Is Culebra Peak at 14,047 ft (4,282 m), which is notable for being the only fourteener in Colorado on private land with an access fee. Climbers wishing to ascend Culebra must pay a fee (currently US$ 150 per person), and the number of climbers per year is limited. It is also the most southerly fourteener in the U.S. Rockies. Standing to the east of the main crest are the two prominent Spanish Peaks (West: 13,626 ft (4,153 m), East: 12,860 ft (3,920 m)). These peaks were important landmarks for 19th century travelers on

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732-592: Is Eagle Rock Lake. The Red River is currently undergoing restoration to improve trout habitat, with the section parallel to Eagle Rock Lake complete. Cabresto Lake features hiking trails to mountaintop lakes in the Latir Peaks Wilderness. In the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument are two popular locations: the La Junta Overlook, where the Rio Grande and the Red River come together over 800 feet below, and

793-636: Is a regional hub for the smaller outlying communities of Lama, Cerro, Sunshine Valley, Latir, Costilla, and Amalia. Questa is surrounded by the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument to the west and the Carson National Forest to the East. Questa lies at the western base of the Taos Mountains , part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains . Rising above the town to the northeast is the Latir Peak massif , headed by Venado Peak , 12,734 ft (3,881 m); Pinabete Peak,

854-549: Is administratively divided into six ranger districts with offices in local communities: Each district ranger reports to the forest supervisor, whose office is in Taos . Some of New Mexico's highest major summits are within the forest: Big game animals roam this forest. They include mule deer , elk , pronghorn , black bears , coyotes , bobcats , foxes , cougars , and bighorn sheep . There are also many species of smaller mammals and songbirds. Forest personnel work closely with

915-582: Is inconsistent and may refer to the northernmost subrange, the southernmost subrange, or the mountains as a whole. The Sangre de Cristo Range, the largest and most northerly subrange of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, runs directly along the east side of the Rio Grande rift , extending southeast from Poncha Pass for about 75 miles (120 km) through south-central Colorado to La Veta Pass , approximately 20 miles (32 km) west of Walsenburg . They form

976-541: Is located below Wheeler Peak in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness. Taos Ski Valley lies just to the west of Wheeler Peak. Much of the central portion of the Taos Mountains is on Taos Pueblo land. As viewed from Taos , they are locally called "Taos Mountain." The southern portion of the Taos Mountains, between Palo Flechado Pass and Tres Ritos ( U.S. Route 64 and NM Route 518), is lower and less dramatic than

1037-661: Is located mainly in Rio Arriba (63.4% of acreage) and Taos (34.65%) counties, but smaller areas extend eastward into western Mora and Colfax counties. Wheeler Peak , the highest mountain in New Mexico at 13,161 feet (4,011 m), is located in the National Forest. Within the Carson National Forest are five designated and one proposed wilderness areas . Two of these are located mostly in neighboring Santa Fe National Forest (as indicated). The forest's 2021 Land Management Plan has six recommended wilderness areas that meet

1098-496: Is near Questa in the Lama area. Questa is a municipal government founded in 1842. The Village of Questa is governed by a mayor, currently John Ortega, and a four-member Village Council who have 4-year staggered terms. Questa's village center has the two major New Mexico State Highways: 522 and 38. State Highway 522 heads south to Taos and north to the Colorado border. State Highway 38 connects Questa to Red River and Eagle Nest as part of

1159-504: The Carson National Forest several avenues for tourism based economic opportunities have taken shape and continue to grow based on the previous and to be expanded tourist activities. Questa Independent School System is the local school district. It operates two schools: Alta Vista Elementary & Intermediate School, and Questa Junior & Senior High School. Roots and Wings Community school, an Expeditionary Learning School,

1220-473: The Cenozoic Laramide orogeny . They are bounded on the west by the Rio Grande rift and on the east by a series of reverse and thrust faults . Vertical displacement along the faults is at least 4,200 metres (13,800 ft), and gravity measurements suggest the uplift has been thrust eastward great distances. This faulting places Precambrian basement rock in contact with sedimentary strata along

1281-561: The Comanche – prevented Spanish expansion northward from Taos to Questa. The site of Questa was first called Rio Colorado. Concerned about encroachments by French and American fur trappers and traders, the Spaniards established a short-lived military post at the Rio Colorado in about 1815. In the same year a land grant from the Governor of New Mexico granted 50 families permission to establish

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1342-460: The Pecos River . The peaks include Truchas Peak , 13,102 ft (3,993 m), as their highest point. Other notable peaks are Santa Fe Baldy (12,622 ft (3,847 m)) and Jicarita Peak (12,835 ft (3,912 m)). The Pecos Wilderness is crossed by many trails and is popular for backpacking and for fishing in its high alpine lakes. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains were uplifted during

1403-567: The Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico, as well as some smaller wilderness areas, such as Latir Peak Wilderness . The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve lies on the southwest side of the mountains in Colorado and are managed by the National Park Service. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are divided into various subranges, described here from north to south. Use of the terms "Sangre de Cristo Range" and "Sangre de Cristo Mountains"

1464-537: The Rio Grande and San Isabel in Colorado, and the Carson and Santa Fe in New Mexico. These publicly accessible areas are managed by the United States Forest Service and are popular for hunting , camping , hiking , mountain biking , backpacking , climbing , and cross-country and downhill skiing . The mountains include two large wilderness areas , the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness in Colorado and

1525-698: The Rio Grande River and 3.25 miles of the Red River were designated as part of the original Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1968. Both are managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River . The forest's 2021 land management plan identifies 51 river segments, totaling approximately 170 miles, as eligible for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The forest

1586-820: The State Game and Fish Department to provide the best wildlife habitat possible. Carson has four hundred miles of sparkling clean mountain streams and numerous lakes. Many of them are stocked with native trout by the Game and Fish Department. The forest receives up to one million annual visitors, mainly for recreation purposes. Activities include hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, downhill and cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, scenic touring, off-highway vehicle riding, and rock climbing. See El Rito Crags for rock climbing details. There are approximately 600 miles of hiking trails, 85 miles of motorized trails, and 1,000 miles of forest roads. Five trails that are fully or partially in

1647-617: The United States . The mountains run from Poncha Pass in South-Central Colorado , trending southeast and south, ending at Glorieta Pass , southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico . The mountains contain a number of fourteen thousand foot peaks in the Colorado portion, as well as several peaks in New Mexico which are over thirteen thousand feet. The name of the mountains may refer to the occasional reddish hues observed during sunrise and sunset, and when alpenglow occurs, especially when

1708-677: The Big Arsenic Trail containing petroglyphs and a natural spring. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,767 people, 741 households, and 512 families residing in the village. The population density was 365.0 inhabitants per square mile (140.9/km ). There were 888 housing units at an average density of 173.9 units per square mile (67.1 units/km ). The racial makeup of the village was 50.16% White , 0.11% African American , 0.70% Native American , 0.05% Asian , 0.11% Pacific Islander , 43.40% from other races , and 5.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 80.53% of

1769-596: The Blue Lake to Taos Pueblo . In October 1966, the Alianza Federal de Mercedes , an organization dedicated to the restoration of certain land grants entrenched in the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo to descendants of then-Mexican citizens, occupied the Carson Forest's Echo Amphitheater in an attempt to create a land grant community. The occupants were evicted, after five days, for overstaying camping permits. In 1982,

1830-528: The Carson National Forest close to Questa. With a large Hispanic population, the village economy was historically largely dependent on agriculture and income from a now-closed Chevron molybdenum mine. Many residents also commute to Taos , Red River , and Angel Fire to work in the hospitality industries there. According to the United States Census Bureau , the village has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13 km ), all land. The village

1891-713: The Enchanted Circle. Questa is serviced by the North Central RTD 's Blue Bus service which provides free service to Red River and Taos during commuting hours. For air travel the Questa Municipal Airport Nr 2, owned by the Village of Questa, is available. The Water/Sewer Department of the Village of Questa operates water and sewer for the Questa Area. Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Inc. supplies electricity and

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1952-665: The Indian Claims Commission (ICC). The ICC then concluded that Taos Pueblo's land had been illegally obtained and no proper amends had been made to rectify it, suggesting a monetary award as compensation. Taos Pueblo refused a monetary settlement, leading to a deliberation in Congress to return Blue Lake back to the tribe. When the bill was deadlocked in Congress, the Taos Pueblo brought their case to President Richard Nixon , who pushed their request through Congress in 1970, returning

2013-532: The Taos Pueblo to perform ceremonies, claiming that it was "foreign to the policies of the Department of Agriculture, when once some land has been set aside as a National Forest, to allow it to be withdrawn completely and donated to a private purpose." In 1965, the Association on American Indian Affairs published a booklet called The Blue Lake Appeal in order to garner support for requests to return Blue Lake through

2074-501: The area continued until the 1860s. The location of the village astride ancient trade, raiding, and hunting routes, made resource-based conflict between cultures inevitable. Additionally, the village location blocked access to certain historic clay and pigment quarries of ceremonial importance to the Taos tribe. This continued conflict led to the village being repeatedly abandoned. Spanish, Mexican, and eventually American soldiers detailed to defend

2135-474: The area. Questa is on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway , near the confluence of the Rio Grande and the Red River . The "Gateway to the Rio Grande del Norte Monument ", its visitors can drive to an overlook of the Red River meeting the Rio Grande in the depth of the gorge. The Carson National Forest parallels Questa to the east. The Columbine Hondo Wilderness and Latir Peak Wildness are in

2196-409: The average family size was 3.02. In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.3 males. The median income for a household in the village

2257-446: The beleaguered settlement frequently expressed great frustration with their posting. The names of two prominent peaks overlooking the village of Questa, Flag Mountain and Sentinel Peak, refer to the practice during this period of stationing watchmen on these high points to warn the village of approaching war parties. The village, nearly from the beginning, was of mixed blood; the surnames Lafore or Laforet, Ledoux, and LaCome reflect

2318-456: The cultivation of alfalfa , hay, and winter wheat, has experienced renewed interest along with the expansion of agriculture to historic crops and crops of high value. Agriculture in Questa is strongly dependent on irrigation, supplied from the Red River and Cabresto Creek. The system of ditches or acequias that supplies water to the fields is of great community and social importance; the burning of

2379-640: The definitions of the Wilderness Act of 1964 and would be suitable additions to the system, which takes an act of Congress. Two areas are adjacent to Chama River Canyon Wilderness, two to Cruces Basin Wilderness, and one to Latir Peak Wilderness. 9,361 acres in the Valle Vidal area are also recommended. Two sections of rivers in the forest are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System . Five miles of

2440-561: The ditches on the first weekend after the vernal equinox is a major community event. Two major 'ditch associations' control the distribution of water by controlling the outflow from the Cabresto Lake dam: the Acequia Madre and the Llano ditch. Historically, sheep were raised in and around Questa, but they have been replaced by cattle. Cattle are grazed on the plains north and west of town during

2501-539: The east side of the Cimarron Range. This is a minor subrange, significantly lower than the rest of the Sangre de Cristos; it lies east of the southernmost portion of the Taos Mountains. Rounding out the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the Santa Fe Mountains, which include all peaks south of NM Route 518. This group lies near Santa Fe and surrounds the Pecos Wilderness , which protects the source watershed of

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2562-512: The eastern margin of the uplift except where igneous rocks have been intruded along the fault. Questa, New Mexico Questa is a village in Taos County, New Mexico , United States. The population was 1,770 at the 2010 census . The village has trails into the Rio Grande Gorge, trout fishing, and mountain lakes with trails that access the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that overlook

2623-514: The forest are included in the National Trails System . The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is both a New Mexico Scenic Byway and National Forest Scenic Byway . It is an 84-mile loop that goes through the forest's Camino Real and Questa ranger districts and nearby towns, including Taos , Questa , Red River , Eagle Nest , and Angel Fire . A portion of the 56-mile High Road to Taos , another state designated scenic byway, goes through

2684-664: The forest grew by 405 square kilometers (100,000 acres) when the Pennzoil corporation donated the Valle Vidal Unit to the American people. 1967 Nuclear Bomb Test for Gas Fracking known as Project Gasbuggy Sangre de Cristo Mountains The Sangre de Cristo Mountains ( Spanish for " Blood of Christ ") are the southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains . They are located in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in

2745-512: The forest's Camino Real Ranger District. Heading north from Santa Fe, the byway travels through the forest on State Road 75 after Vadito, New Mexico , then goes through the Sipapu area before turning onto State Road 518. The byway leaves the forest before reaching Talpa, New Mexico . Four winter and summer resort developments where activities ranging from skiing to mountain biking have special use permits to operate on national forest land: The forest

2806-542: The mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail . The western slope of the Culebras and the San Luis Valley are located within the Sangre de Cristo Land Grant , dating back to the 1840s but still a factor in the pattern of land ownership within the grant. The San Luis Valley is arid. The town of San Luis, Colorado has an annual precipitation of only 9.6 inches (240 mm).The surrounding area, traversed by Culebra Creek , has

2867-446: The mountains are covered with snow. Although the particular origin of the name is unclear, it has been in use since the early 19th century. Before that time the terms "La Sierra Nevada", "La Sierra Madre", "La Sierra", and "The Snowies" (used by English speakers) were used. According to legend, "sangre de Cristo" were the last words of a priest who was killed by Native Americans. Much of the mountains are within various National Forests:

2928-510: The names of French or French-Canadian trappers who settled in the area after arriving in search of otter and beaver. New Mexico territory license records list Auguste Lacome as residing in the area as a trader with the surrounding Native Americans. The common surname Rael may also reflect the influence of Jewish immigrants arriving after being expelled from Spain. The village had a reputation for being contentious and requiring disproportionate effort to police; records show that viceregal intervention

2989-463: The northern section, with its high point being Cerro Vista, 11,939 ft (3,639 m). The Fernando Mountains are a small subrange lying in this section, just south of US Route 64. The Cimarron Range lies across the Moreno Valley to the east of the Taos Mountains. It is a lower range, with its highest point being Baldy Mountain at 12,441 ft (3,792 m). The Philmont Scout Ranch lies on

3050-402: The people of Taos Pueblo. In the early 20th century, Taos Pueblo petitioned the federal government to regain Blue Lake, but their requests were denied. Attempts to prevent Taos ceremonies at Blue Lake were included in the government's attempts to assimilate Indigenous peoples into mainstream American culture. The Department of Agriculture therefore denied requests to set aside land at Blue Lake for

3111-406: The population. There were 741 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and

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3172-662: The present day Pueblo peoples . A later trade route, called the "Kiowa Trail" or the Taos Mountain Trail , ran through Questa and connected the agricultural Pueblo peoples in New Mexico to the bison-hunting Plains Indians on the Great Plains of Colorado . The first Spaniards to visit the area were members of the Coronado expedition who visited Taos Pueblo , 20 mi (32 km) south of Questa, in 1540. The Spanish settlement of Don Fernando de Taos adjacent to Taos Pueblo

3233-403: The residents of Questa. On June 2, 2014, Chevron Mining announced the immediate and permanent closure of the mine due to continuing low molybdenum prices and high operating costs. The mine was employing about 300 people at the time of the shutdown. The mine employs about 150 people on work related to reclamation and remediation, either directly or through its contractors. Agriculture, especially

3294-462: The rising cost on the influx of celebrities and affluent Anglos to the Taos area driving up land and home prices, but for whatever cause an increasing number of Questeños commute to work in Red River , Taos, and Angel Fire . Questa has developed as a tourist destination. With the Historic San Antonio del Rio Colorado Church, Rio Grande del Norte National Monument , Eagle Rock Lake, and

3355-416: The winter and spring, then moved west to the other side of the Rio Grande in early June, usually driven across the "Sheep Crossing" ford by riders on horseback. Increasingly, the traditional economy based on agriculture, livestock, handicrafts (particularly wooden religious carvings known as santos ), wood gathering, and honey is failing to meet the financial needs of the populace of Questa. Some locals blame

3416-409: Was $ 23,448, and the median income for a family was $ 30,000. Males had a median income of $ 26,667 versus $ 20,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $ 13,303. About 20.7% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 29.8% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over. The Chevron Questa molybdenum mine, nine miles (14 km) from Questa,

3477-469: Was established with the merger of Taos National Forest and part of Jemez National Forest on July 1, 1908. The land in the National Forest largely consists of the former common lands of Spanish and American land grants of which the history of the Las Trampas Land Grant is illustrative. Included in the merged lands was the land surrounding Blue Lake, an important cultural, religious site to

3538-439: Was founded about 1615. Thereafter, Spanish expeditions and hunters and miners probably visited the Questa area although the first documented visit by the Spanish was not until July 1694. In that year, Governor Diego de Vargas led an expedition northward from Santa Fe in search of food for the destitute Spanish colony. Vargas confiscated grain from several Pueblo villages, but on arriving in Taos, decided to return to Santa Fe via

3599-399: Was frequently required to settle property disputes. The Historic San Antonio del Rio Colorado Church is in the historic plaza of Questa, present since the mid-1800s. After a collapse of the west wall in Questa's historic church, the community is restoring it. Made with adobe and woodwork, it was scheduled to be completed mid-2016. Questa has Ocho, an art gallery and event space. Questa has

3660-442: Was once inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo people, who left ruins of adobe dwellings and other artifacts at an archaeological site now called Pot Creek Cultural Site . Some areas of the forest were formerly lands granted to settlers by the Spanish monarchy and the Mexican government . After the Mexican–American War , the national forest was established, and was named for American pioneer Kit Carson . Carson National Forest

3721-431: Was the largest private employer in Taos County. The mine opened in 1916 as the R&S Molybdenum mine. It was purchased by Molycorp Minerals in 1950 and became a subsidiary of Chevron in 2005. Formerly an open pit excavation, the Chevron Questa mine operated as an underground mine from 1982. Economic conditions that affect the mine resulted in a 54 percent cut in personnel in February 2009, which primarily impacted

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