Latir Peak Wilderness

Latir Peak Wilderness is a protected area within Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, featuring dense forests, rocky ridges, and alpine tundra across its broad landscape. The terrain includes deep valleys with coniferous trees and open highland zones that offer varied ecosystems.

Indigenous groups including the Taos Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache, Ute, and Comanche peoples used this territory for generations before Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s. The land received official wilderness protection status in the later 20th century under federal preservation laws.

The wilderness designation in 1980 reflects the commitment to preserve natural spaces through the National Wilderness Preservation System.

The Lake Fork Trail is the main entry route, leading toward Heart Lake in the central part of the area. The Midnight and Bull Creek Trails offer alternative routes westward for visitors seeking different paths and distances.

Heart Lake, which sits at a high elevation and serves as the source of Cabresto Creek, is surrounded by several prominent peaks that many visitors do not realize exist here. The lake's remote location and high-altitude setting make it less crowded than other similar destinations in the region.