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The Jemez Mountains along with the Sangre
de Cristo Mountains Range form the southernmost tip of the Rocky Mountains.
While the Jemez Mountains are note famous for any particular natural
landmark they do constitute a massive area of nearly pristine wilderness.
The Jemez are classic New Mexico mountains, sparsely inhabited, with
rugged, rocky peaks, flowering meadows, and clear, cool streams, lakes
and waterfalls.
The scenery in the Jemez Mountains is intriguing. There are many hot
springs, sulfurous vents and other unusual features in the Jemez thanks
to volcanic activity in the distant past, including several caldera
(rings of hills that are the remains of extinct volcanoes). The Jemez
River drops 15 feet at the picturesque Soda Dam. The fascinating geologic
history of the mountains is readily visible in its red and ocher bands.
There are many places to do a bit of New Mexico hiking and camping in
the Jemez Mountains. Because the bulk of the Jemez Mountains lies within
the boundaries of the Santa Fe National Forest, back county camping
is free. |
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