The tree is probably the largest tree of any kind that I have seen in New Mexico. It appeared to be about seven feet in diameter at chest height and towered high up in the canopy. The shallow, marshy Mimbres Lake lies in a beautiful level clearing, surrounded by a dense forest of spruce, fir, and aspen. I dayhiked to the lake and regretted not being able to camp. Be sure to find a site well away from the lake to avoid polluting it or scaring away wildlife.
Innumerable campsites exist in the large, level mountaintop area around the lake.
The area would make a great base camp for dayhikes along the Crest Trail and side trails. Marked Trail 110 forks off of Trail 79 at the lake. Although I did not visit it, the map indicates North Seco Spring as lying about 0.5 mile down Trail 110. Ridge Spring or North Seco Spring would probably make better water sources than the marshy lake. A tremendous three-day backpack could be done by following Trail 79 to Reeds Peak and looping back to the lake via Trails 77 and 78.