Columbine-Hondo Wilderness, Protected wilderness in Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico.
The Columbine-Hondo Wilderness spans 45,000 acres across the Carson National Forest, with elevations ranging from 7,861 to 12,710 feet at Gold Hill peak.
Originally surveyed during the 1980s for mineral and timber resources, this region officially gained wilderness designation in December 2014 through a Defense spending bill.
The area contains trails from the New Mexico Gold Rush period, when prospectors searched these mountains for precious metals, leaving minimal impact on the forest.
Visitors can access multiple trails for hiking and camping while observing native wildlife including bighorn sheep, elk, black bears, and mountain lions in their natural habitat.
The wilderness contains the headwaters of both the Red River and Rio Hondo, situated near the Questa Caldera, a volcano that erupted 26 million years ago.
Location: New Mexico
GPS coordinates: 36.64361,-105.45611
Latest update: March 5, 2025 19:12
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