Salinas Peak, Mountain summit in San Andres Range, New Mexico, US
Salinas Peak is a mountain summit in the San Andres Range reaching approximately 8,965 feet in elevation with notable limestone formations and deeply eroded canyons. The surrounding terrain features rocky slopes and rugged ridges that define much of this area.
The mountain's western edge borders the Jornada del Muerto, a desert region first traversed by Spanish explorers in 1598. This route became significant in early European exploration of the landscape.
The peak stands within White Sands Missile Range, near the Trinity Site where scientists conducted the first atomic bomb test in 1945.
Access requires special permission since the peak sits on military property with protective restrictions in place. A service road reaches communications facilities at the summit, so prior arrangement with authorities is necessary.
The area provides habitat for mountain lions, mule deer, and African oryx, with the latter introduced to the surrounding lands in the 1960s. This unusual blend of native and non-native wildlife creates a rare desert ecosystem.
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