Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-02-04
A NATIONAL PARK IN NEW MEXICO.

A NATIONAL PARK IN NEW MEXICO,
Surveyor General Hobart has writer
a letter to Inspector Harlan, of the int
rlOr department, in reply to request for
| suggestions as to what lands it would be
well for the government to reserve iron,
sale in New Mexico on account of ancient
ruins or other objects OF interest. Gen.
| Hobart enumerates several sections Of
government land in different parts Of the
territory, on which are located ruins OF
great historical interest He then makes
the suggestion OF larger reservation,
which We are sure will meet with general
approval, as follows:
Il would also earnestly recommend
that ranges II, u and 10 east
OF townships II, IS, 10 and 20
north, being mountainous dis
trlct OF eighteen by twenty,four miles in
extent, be reserved as national park.
This is region of unsurpassed natura
beauty and it is especially adapted to thu
purpose 10y reason of its nearness to rail.
road communication. Glorieta on the
main line of the A., T. & S f. railroad i,
but few miles from its southwest corner
Las Vegas hot springs is similarly situate
on the east OF the tract, and Santa Fe, the
cap tai, on the west, while Espanola on
the d. x K. u. road is but little iurtI er
from the northwest corner. Especially
ut Las Vegas hot springs and santa Re
are extensive and elegant hotel accomno-
datlons. Saddle animals and vehicles
are easily obtained"
The Sangre de Christie or main chain
OF the Rocky mountains IN this tract has
Moadened INTO three ranges, and near it,
southern end this great chain terminates.
From Las Vegas hot springs to Santa Fe
across this tract is but thlrty-slx miles in
an east and west line, while the railroad
connecting those two points, by passing
around the southern end of the Rocky
is ninety miles long. Most
excellent trout fishing is found in the
streams OF this region; game abonnds, be-
sides bears, mountain lions, wolves and
'oXes: there are deer, antelope, turkey,
partrldses, quail and many other kinds.
No better place could be found for pre-
serving the harmless kinds of game. The
mountain peaks rise nearly 1900 feet
a"ove the sea Easy trails to their sum-
mits could r. adily be made. At the foot
OF the Twin Lake peaks, near Santa Fe,
lies cliff bound lake Of marvellous beauty
some l,6OO feet in circumference. The
altitude OF this region, averaging some
5000 feet, renders its climate delightful
IN summer, as indeed it is at all seasons
except few weeks in winter, when deep
SHOWS usually cover much of its surface.
Besides the great value that this tract
would have if improved as a summer
breathing place for the people of the
''"tI''t i'o itbCI NdllOD HliOultl Db l1Iulb IL
only to preserve the noble forests of tim
Der that cover it, In this tract are all
the sources of the Pecos river, upon the
steady flow of which stream depends the
irrigation of millions of acres of land in
New Mexico and Texas. On its western
slopes rise many important afiiuents of
the Rio Grande and on its eastern slopes
tributaries of the Canadian river. This
tract is just beginning to be encroached
upon, and if left it will soon be entered
and denuded of its timber. Then the
Thousands of springs that gush from its
erassy hill sides and its hundreds of leap
ing mountain streams will cease to flow
with their present regularity and give
wafer to the rivers below here it is most
needed. Wha. could be a wiser act than
to preserve these forests for the benefcent
work for which nature intended them.