Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Mountain range in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, United States.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains form a range running from Poncha Springs in Colorado to Santa Fe in New Mexico and represent the southernmost part of the Rocky Mountains. Several summits rise above 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) and the landscape shifts between rugged rock formations and forested slopes.
Spanish settlers gave the range its current name in the 19th century, replacing older designations such as La Sierra Nevada. Early records document explorations by colonial-era travelers who crossed the passes between the peaks.
The name means Blood of Christ in Spanish and refers to the red glow that colors the peaks at sunset. Local communities at the base have used the mountains as landmarks for centuries and many settlements carry Spanish names.
Various trails lead from the valleys to the summits and some routes take several days to complete. The elevation requires acclimatization and weather can change quickly, especially during summer months.
Blanca Peak rises as the highest point above 14,350 feet (4,370 meters) and stands among the few summits at this elevation south of the central Rockies. The range counts nearly five hundred named peaks, making it one of the most extensive formations in the region.
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