The southern portion of Lincoln National Forest is the Guadalupe Mountains, with its spectacular canyons and world-renowned caves. They were the last stronghold of the Apaches before being settled by sheep ranchers in the 1880's.

In 1902 and 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt issued the proclamations that now comprise the Lincoln National Forest to protect this most important watershed and source of forest products in southeastern New Mexico. It serves a large population in two states and two nations as their nearest opportunity to enjoy winter sports and forest.

The Lincoln contains four ranger districts (Smokey Bear, Cloudcroft, Guadalupe, and Mayhill), includes three major mountain ranges (Sacramento, Guadalupe, and Capitan), and covers 1,103,44l acres in parts of four counties in southeastern New Mexico. Elevations of 4.000 to 11,500 feet pass through five different life zones from Chihuahuan desert to subalpine forest. Vegetation ranges from rare cacti in the lower elevations to blue spruce in the highest areas.

Wildlife

A large variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians make their home on the Lincoln. Deer, elk, bear and turkey draw a large percentage of New Mexico s game hunters to the forest. There are unlimited opportunities to observe and enjoy the songbirds and other small animals. Fishing is limited to a few streams although some private fishing lakes are nearby. Also, Bonito Lake recreation area managed by Agamogordo City is adjacent to Smokey Bear Ranger District.

Sikes Act projects, funded through the sale of game and fish stamps, along with support from a broad spectrum of other sources, finance production and improvement of animal habitat.

Trails

Hundreds of miles of trails await hikers, horseback riders and motorcyclists. The trails and several miles of old railroad grades are used by cross-country skiers and snowmobilers in the winter. Wilderness trails are closed to mechanized forms of travel. Some trails have been adopted by volunteers who maintain them.

Descriptions of Ranger Stations

Headquarters for the Smokey Bear Ranger District is in Ruidoso. The District manages approximately 375,000 acres that ranges in elevation from 5,400 to 11,400 feet. There are two wilderness areas totaling approximately 86,000 acres; the Capitan Mountain and the White Mountain Wilderness Areas. Ski Apache Resort, one of the largest ski areas in the Southwest, is also located on the Smokey Bear Ranger District.

Vegetation ranges from semi-desert plants, pinyon pine and juniper to spruce, fir and high-elevation grasses and forbs. The weather is directly tied to elevation. In the summer, expect sweltering temperatures down in the desert and the necessity of a sweater or jacket in the high country. Springtime is usually dry and windy while July and August are the rainy months, with frequent afternoon showers or thunderstorms. The combination of high elevation and abundant moisture result in a beautiful array of color from flowering plants during the summer months. Perhaps the most beautiful time of the year is in the fall, when the oaks, maples. and aspens add splashes of color to the hillsides.

The towns of Lincoln, where one of the famous shoot-outs of Billy-the-kid took place, and Capitan, the burial site of the original Smokey Bear, are conveniently located near the District.

Cloudcroft Ranger District headquarters is located in Cloudcroft and manages 209,668 acres. In elevations ranging from 4,600 to 9,695 feet visitors may enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, hiking, or horse-back riding, plus snowmobiling, innertubing, cross-country and downhill skiing. Snow Canyon, the southern-most ski area in the United States, is adjacent to the small village of Cloudcroft in the Sacramento Mountains.

Halfway between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo on US 82 is the only highway tunnel in southern New Mexico. A parking area just west of the tunnel affords a spectacular view of Fresnal Canyon, White Sands, and the Tularosa Basin. Closer to Cloudcroft is another pull off area where visitors can look back in time at the railroad trestle spanning Mexican Canyon.

Another area of interest in the Cloudcroft District is the Sacamento Peak Observatory, an area used for solar research. Many magnificent vistas may be seen while driving the Scenic Byway to the observatory. The observatory is open for self-guided tours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily and for guided tours on Saturdays at 2:00 pm from May 1 through October 1.

Trees such as Douglas fir, Ponderosa pine, aspen, and oak envelope the hiking trails and are home to a great variety of birds. White-tailed deer, black bears, Rocky Mountain elk, plus raccoons and porcupines are only a few of the wildlife that may be seen. Wild flowers such as blue columbine, alpine daisy, cinquefoil, and larkspur carpet the forest floor in splendor.

Guadalupe Ranger District is rugged and contains many limestone caves and deep rough canyons. This area of quiet isolation is the perfect place for seekers of solitude or people who wish to "get away from it all." With the exception of a small convenience store/cafe/RV campground in Queens, all other modern day conveniences disappear. Wildlife and plant life are diverse and abundant.

Turkey, deer, elk and a variety of bird life are present. Other animals include coyotes, mountain lions, raccoons, squirrels, bobcats, skunks, badgers, and porcupines. Fishing is nonexistent in the District but is available in the Pecos River near Carlsbad.

The Guadalupe Mountains, ranging in elevation from 3,500 to 7,500 feet, are the exposed portions of the Capitan barrier reef. The northern part of the mesa is rolling terrain with many canyons generally running to the east. Pinyon and juniper are the predominate trees with grasses, brush and cacti. The southern portion of the Guadalupes consists of deep canyons and sheer cliffs. Vegetation is pinyon, juniper, oak, pine, fir, and Texas madrone trees with ground cover of grasses and cacti.

The Rim Road (FR 540) is a maintained gravel road along the southern part of the District with spectacular views of Dog Canyon and the Brokeoff Mountains. Many trails wind throughout the southern portion of the District. Several lead to nearby Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

All caves in the District require permits for entry. Due to limited access, permits are issued on a first- come first-serve basis. The front part of Cottonwood Cave requires a cave entry permit, while the lower portion is accessible by guided tour only. Permits take a minimum of two weeks to obtain. To apply for a cave entry permit contact the Guadalupe Ranger District Office in Carlsbad.

Mayhill Ranger District consists of 240,851 acres of public lands along the lower eastern slopes of the Sacramento Mountain Range. It extends from the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation on the north to the Sacramento River on the south. The District Administrative Office is located along U.S. Highway 82 in Mayhill, N.M.

Elevation ranges from 6,000 feet along the eastern boundary to 9,300 feet along the ridgetop of Logan Canyon in the western part of the District. Vegetation varies from grasslands in lower elevations to mixed conifers in higher elevations.

A generally moderate climate prevails with an average daytime temperature during the winter months of 51 and an average daytime temperature of 82 during the summer months. The annual average precipitation recorded is 23.14 inches. These climatic features provide a comfortable environment for year-round activities.

Within the District there are three small communities, Mayhill, Weed, and Sacramento, and approximately 4,500 acres of private land subdivided for summer homes. Ranching, logging and commercial wood cutting are the leading industries in the area.

Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, bird watching, motorcycling, hiking, horseback riding and sightseeing. James Canyon recreation area is a small picnicking and camping area located 2 miles west of Mayhill along U.S. Highway 82. This is the only developed recreation site in the District. Fishing activities are limited to the small Bear Canyon Lake and Penasco River. Wildlife is generally abundant with diverse species such as elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, skunks, squirrels, chipmunks, some black bears, and occasionally, a fox.

Wildlife

Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico varies from craggy limestone cliffs and desert canyons to rolling pinyon hills, high mountain streams, and subalpine forests and meadows. This tremendous diversity of habitats is home to a rich assortment of native animals and plants. Coupled with local climate patterns, the area's unique geological history has allowed many species to evolve here that are found nowhere else in the world.

Over half of all the threatened or endangered plants in New Mexico and one-quarter of all the rare or endemic animals in New Mexico are found here. The Forest Service manages habitat for these species to insure their populations for all to enjoy.

Also, over 300 species of wildlife, including almost 200 types of birds, are found on the Lincoln. Hawks, nuthatches, vireos jays, and many different owls are commonly heard or seen during even the shortest of forest visits. The abundance of deer, elk, bear, and turkey make the Lincoln one of the most popular hunting spots for hunters from New Mexico and west Texas.

Together, the Sacramento, Capitan, and Guadalupe Mountains make up one of the most biologically rich places in New Mexico. Although many of the areas on the Forest are widely used, other places are more remote and unexplored. For example, an entirely new species of plant was discovered in the Forest as recently as 1985.

Points of Interest

Bonito Lake - North of Ruidoso, trout fishing, picnicking, and camping, surrounded by Lincoln National Forest

Ski Apache Resort's - base elevation - 9,700 feet. Located primarily on Forest land, Ski Apache is operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe under a special use permit. Approximately 180 inches of snowfall are received each season at the ski area, which is the second highest accumulation of any area in New Mexico. The area has a four passenger Gondola, two double chairlifts, five triple chairlifts, two double chairlifts, and one mighty mite tow that operate during a season that extends from Thanksgiving thru Easter. The ski area covers 1060 acres and has 45 trails with a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert runs. The ability to make snow on the entire bottom of the mountain, during years of low snowfall, provides for a good conditions even in dry years. The ski area has an uphill lift capacity of 12,800 per hour and a capacity of 7,000 skiers per day. A Snack Bar at the Summit overlooks the Rio Hondo and Tularosa Basins, other services are provided at the base of the area for visitors convenience. Lodging and shuttle services are available in Ruidoso, just 16 miles away.

White- Oaks - Near Carrizozo, remnants of thriving gold rush town.

Lincoln State Monument - In town of Lincoln, historic buildings, legends of Billy the Kid and other western history.

Three Rivers Petroglyphs -- Approximately 10 miles north of Tularosa, trail to Indian petroglyphs, picnic area.

Ski Cloudcroft -- Downhill skiing near village of Cloudcroft.

Sacramento Peak Solar Observatory - South of Cloudcroft, one of the world's largest solar telescopes, guided and self-guided tours.

White Sands National Monument - West of Alamogordo, more than 230 miles of white gypsum dunes.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park - South of Carlsbad, one of the most impressive cave systems in the world, guided and self-guided tours.

Towns Nearby

Alamogordo, Carrizozo, Capitan (birthplace of Smokey Bear), Carlsbad, Cloudcroft and Ruidoso.