The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail provides for high quality,
scenic, primitive hiking and horseback-riding recreational experiences, while
conserving natural, historic, and cultural resources along the Continental
Divide. Extending 3100 miles between Mexico and Canada, the trail traverses
landscapes primarily on public lands within 50 miles of the geographic
feature. This National Scenic Trail was established in 1978 through the
authority of the National Trails System Act (P.L. 90-543) and is one of the
outstanding resources of the National Landscape Conservation System.  
  
Where the Trail crosses BLM lands in New Mexico the route does not ordinarily
have a tread. Except where it follows ranch roads, the Trail is identified
with line of sight signs or rock cairns. Equestrian facilities are
intermittent and in various stages of development.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail provides for high quality, scenic, primitive hiking and horseback-riding recreational experiences, while conserving natural, historic, and cultural resources along the Continental Divide. Extending 3100 miles between Mexico and Canada, the trail traverses landscapes primarily on public lands within 50 miles of the geographic feature. This National Scenic Trail was established in 1978 through the authority of the National Trails System Act (P.L. 90-543) and is one of the outstanding resources of the National Landscape Conservation System.  Where the Trail crosses BLM lands in New Mexico the route does not ordinarily have a tread. Except where it follows ranch roads, the Trail is identified with line of sight signs or rock cairns. Equestrian facilities are intermittent and in various stages of development.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

The Ignacio Chavez WSA is located in the northwestern portion of New Mexico.
The northern portion of this WSA is arid, while the southern portion consists
of a higher plateau dominated by piсon and ponderosa pines. The diversity of
vegetation provides scenic appeal, and also a highly diverse wildlife
population. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through this
WSA.

The Ignacio Chavez WSA is located in the northwestern portion of New Mexico. The northern portion of this WSA is arid, while the southern portion consists of a higher plateau dominated by piсon and ponderosa pines. The diversity of vegetation provides scenic appeal, and also a highly diverse wildlife population. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through this WSA.

Contact the field office for more information.

Bird's eye view of the park

Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area

The Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area (SMA) consists primarily of two
Wilderness Study Areas -- the Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area (33,300
acres) and the Chamisa Wilderness Study Area (13,700 acres). For more
information on Wilderness Study Areas, please visit the Ignacio Chavez WSA
webpage.

Steep canyons and high rugged cliffs provide rewarding challenges for the
backcountry hiker here. Much of the Special Management Area lies within the
Ignacio Chavez Land Grant, awarded to settlers in 1768 by the Spanish
government for establishing communities. Because these communities were never
developed, the U.S. Government later acquired the land grant.

The Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area (SMA) consists primarily of two Wilderness Study Areas -- the Ignacio Chavez Wilderness Study Area (33,300 acres) and the Chamisa Wilderness Study Area (13,700 acres). For more information on Wilderness Study Areas, please visit the Ignacio Chavez WSA webpage.Steep canyons and high rugged cliffs provide rewarding challenges for the backcountry hiker here. Much of the Special Management Area lies within the Ignacio Chavez Land Grant, awarded to settlers in 1768 by the Spanish government for establishing communities. Because these communities were never developed, the U.S. Government later acquired the land grant.

Man standing on a cliff overlooking the Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area

Ignacio Chavez Special Management Area

The northern portion of this WSA is arid, while the southern portion consists
of a higher plateau dominated by piсon and ponderosa pines. The diversity of
vegetation and landforms provide scenic appeal. Large numbers of elk use the
area, as well as coyotes, mule deer, and Merriam's turkey.

The northern portion of this WSA is arid, while the southern portion consists of a higher plateau dominated by piсon and ponderosa pines. The diversity of vegetation and landforms provide scenic appeal. Large numbers of elk use the area, as well as coyotes, mule deer, and Merriam's turkey.

Chamisa Wilderness Study Area

The Empedrado WSA is characterized by deep arroyos, highly sculpted mesas,
canyons, and sandstone and shale outcrops. This area is easily traveled by
horseback. Nesting sites for golden eagles, prairie falcon, great horned owl,
red-tailed hawk, and raven are found on sandstone cliffs. Vegetation includes
grama grass, cactus and Knight’s milevetch.  
  
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through this WSA.

The Empedrado WSA is characterized by deep arroyos, highly sculpted mesas, canyons, and sandstone and shale outcrops. This area is easily traveled by horseback. Nesting sites for golden eagles, prairie falcon, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, and raven are found on sandstone cliffs. Vegetation includes grama grass, cactus and Knight’s milevetch.  The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through this WSA.

Empedrado Wilderness Study Area

The La Leсa WSA is characterized by deep arroyos, highly sculpted mesas,
canyons, and sandstone and shale outcrops. This area is easily traveled by
horseback. Nesting sites for golden eagles, prairie falcon, great horned owl,
red-tailed hawk, and raven are found on sandstone cliffs. Vegetation includes
grama grass, cactus and Knight's milevetch. The Continental Divide National
Scenic Trail passes through this WSA.

The La Leсa WSA is characterized by deep arroyos, highly sculpted mesas, canyons, and sandstone and shale outcrops. This area is easily traveled by horseback. Nesting sites for golden eagles, prairie falcon, great horned owl, red-tailed hawk, and raven are found on sandstone cliffs. Vegetation includes grama grass, cactus and Knight's milevetch. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail passes through this WSA.

La Lena Wilderness Study Area

Guadalupe Ruin, the easternmost Chacoan Outlier, is a single-story masonry
pueblo situated on an isolated sandstone mesa rising nearly 200 feet above the
valley floor. The top of the mesa is isolated by sheer walls on all sides,
with access to the top restricted to a narrow trail. This mesatop location
provides an impressive view of dissected canyons, rugged mesas, and volcanic
necks along the Rio Puerco Valley. The ruin consists of at least 39
rectangular rooms and 7 semi-subterranean kivas, two of which are stabilized
and roofed for public access. Archeological investigations conducted in the
1970s suggest that the site was originally built as a Chacoan Outlier, but was
reoccupied in the late 13th century by immigrants from the Mesa Verde area,
who remodeled many of the rooms and built a new kiva in their own
architectural style.

Curiously, most Chaco Outliers are located north, west, and south of Chaco
Canyon, while Guadalupe stands out nearly alone in its eastern placement in
the Chacoan World and may have been positioned to take advantage and possibly
control of a migration and trade route between the San Juan Basin and the Rio
Grande, where seven of New Mexico's 19 modern Pueblos are located.

Chaco Background  
The sites of the Chacoans are among the best known archaeological sites in the
American Southwest. Between A.D. 700 and 1150, the Chaco Culture flourished,
with Chaco Canyon serving as the social and religious center of the Northern
Southwest. During the 900s and 1000s, a series of "Chacoan
Outliers,"structures similar to those in Chaco Canyon, was constructed in
western New Mexico, southwest Colorado, eastern Arizona and southeast Utah.
Many outliers were connected to Chaco Canyon or other outliers through a
network of prehistoric roads. The outliers and connecting roads offer a view
to an ancient landscape of astonishing scale and complexity. The Chacoan
region as defined by the distribution of outliers and Chaco Canyon itself was
recognized internationally though placement on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Guadalupe Ruin, the easternmost Chacoan Outlier, is a single-story masonry pueblo situated on an isolated sandstone mesa rising nearly 200 feet above the valley floor. The top of the mesa is isolated by sheer walls on all sides, with access to the top restricted to a narrow trail. This mesatop location provides an impressive view of dissected canyons, rugged mesas, and volcanic necks along the Rio Puerco Valley. The ruin consists of at least 39 rectangular rooms and 7 semi-subterranean kivas, two of which are stabilized and roofed for public access. Archeological investigations conducted in the 1970s suggest that the site was originally built as a Chacoan Outlier, but was reoccupied in the late 13th century by immigrants from the Mesa Verde area, who remodeled many of the rooms and built a new kiva in their own architectural style.Curiously, most Chaco Outliers are located north, west, and south of Chaco Canyon, while Guadalupe stands out nearly alone in its eastern placement in the Chacoan World and may have been positioned to take advantage and possibly control of a migration and trade route between the San Juan Basin and the Rio Grande, where seven of New Mexico's 19 modern Pueblos are located.Chaco Background  The sites of the Chacoans are among the best known archaeological sites in the American Southwest. Between A.D. 700 and 1150, the Chaco Culture flourished, with Chaco Canyon serving as the social and religious center of the Northern Southwest. During the 900s and 1000s, a series of "Chacoan Outliers,"structures similar to those in Chaco Canyon, was constructed in western New Mexico, southwest Colorado, eastern Arizona and southeast Utah. Many outliers were connected to Chaco Canyon or other outliers through a network of prehistoric roads. The outliers and connecting roads offer a view to an ancient landscape of astonishing scale and complexity. The Chacoan region as defined by the distribution of outliers and Chaco Canyon itself was recognized internationally though placement on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Remaining walls of Guadalupe Ruins with the ancient volcanic peaks in the background.

Guadalupe Ruin

The Cabezon WSA is located in the northwestern part of the New Mexico and
consists of a large volcanic plug - a steep-sided symmetrical neck of volcanic
rock. At an elevation of 7,785 feet, this is the largest of a series of
volcanic plugs in this area and is one of the most well-known landmarks in
northwest New Mexico. This peak is a favorite among climbers. Basic mountain
climbing experience and proper gear, including a helmet, are needed, but most
will not choose to use a rope on the common route. A successful climb to the
summit will reward you with an expansive view of the Rio Puerco Valley.

The Cabezon WSA is located in the northwestern part of the New Mexico and consists of a large volcanic plug - a steep-sided symmetrical neck of volcanic rock. At an elevation of 7,785 feet, this is the largest of a series of volcanic plugs in this area and is one of the most well-known landmarks in northwest New Mexico. This peak is a favorite among climbers. Basic mountain climbing experience and proper gear, including a helmet, are needed, but most will not choose to use a rope on the common route. A successful climb to the summit will reward you with an expansive view of the Rio Puerco Valley.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

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