The Mountains of New Mexico

Southwest New Mexico is home to several mountain ranges originating from volcanism that occurred over 25 million years ago. According to author Robert Julyan who wrote The Mountains of New Mexico, the volcanic activity in this part of New Mexico makes Mt. Saint Helens seem like a candle’s small flame.

The major range groups that make up Silver City’s backyard include the Mogollons, the Black Range, Pinos Altos Range and the Burro Mountains. The highest point in this part of New Mexico is Whitewater Baldy (altitude: 10,895 ft). The highest point in the Black Range is McKnight Mountain (10,165 ft). Snow visits these highest areas of each range regularly in winter.

Other minor mountain ranges in our area include: The Silver City Range, Diablo Range, Elk Mountains, Tularosa Mountains, San Francisco Mountains, Brushy Mountains, Saliz Mountains, and the Sierra Aguilada. The moutain ranges listed are enclosed in the vast untrampled Gila National Forest. It boasts the world’s first wilderness designation and two of the largest wildernesses in New Mexico: the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wildernesses.