Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-05-19
UPPER PECOs IS
VAC At ION spot
Of ALL AMERICA
New Roads and Trails
Opened BY the Forest
Service Make 1t More
Accessible than Formerly
BY j. C.. KIRCHER,
Assistant District Forester.

j
in which to spend a weekend or a
summer vacation than the Upper
Pecos. A clear trout stream and
the finest mountain scenery in the
west-can one ask for more? In
addition. the excellent road along
the Pecos river and the fine cool
climate make it the ideal place for
an outing.
The Upper Pecos is located just
off the main transcontinental road
between Santa Fe and Las Vegas.
AT the little town of Pecos, one
leaves the main road to the north,
where after abb ut mile, the San
ia Fe forest is entered. From
there for nearly 20 miles up the
river, one travels over fine
mountain road recently construct
ed by the United States forest ser.
vice, which has jurisdiction over
the national forests. The trip from
Albuquerque, can comfortably be
made in about five hours.
Hotel Resorts.
There are along this road three
mountain resorts where tourists
are well taken care of at reasona-
BILE rates, one not far from Pecos
town, one about one-half way up
the river and the Mountain View
Ranch, near the end of the road.
But one need not stay at a ho-
tel. Why not camp under some
fine big pine or spruce right at the
waters edge. There are many lit
tie flats for such camps, from
which the surrounding country
can be explored.
You have never seen real noun
tain scenery in the southwest I'M
I'll you have been on the Upper Pc
cos. Here are steep. timber-cov-
cred mountain slopes coming right
down to this clear stream which
literally falls out of the mountains.
Here are rapids alternating with
ed by rocks, vines and dark
spruces. Here are high bald peaks
rising 5000 feet above the stream,
their tops above timber line. All
OF the beauties of mountain seen
cry crowd into this country, which
has truly been well named, The
switzerland of America"
Those who spend several days or
longer in this country will have
plenty of opportunity to explore
some Of this interesting country.
for there are good trails 10 many
interesting places. Horses for trips
over these mountains can he Sc
cured at the hotels and at several
small ranches along the river.
Trail Trips.
Several OF the mountain peaks,
as for instance Elk mountain anC
Lake peak, can be reached i'll d
day from the river. Both OF them
are over 1900 feet in elevation.
Well above timber line, and give d
most magnificent view over many
miles OF this wonderful mountain
country. Inc trail to Lake Peak
Tor several miles follows the pretty
| little Wlnsor creek, surrounded by
pines, spruces and aspens. Leaving
the creek, one travels through dense
spruce forests and after an hour VI
50 comes to Spirit Lake, u small
crystal clear body of water sur
rounded by'steep slopes ana mag
nlfiCent forests. Some miles be-
yond, the forests are lett behind
and ultimately Tie top is reacned.
There are trlps also 10 PecuS
Falls ana to many beauty spots
along the Pecus ana its tributaries.
Little open spots with many colored
wild flowers, alternating with for
ests and brush. give a continually
changing scene.
Not the least OF the attractions is
the fine trout fishing. The season
opens on June l, when many a
fisherman is expected to be pulling
the fine speckied trout from the
water.
The forest service is making this
country more accessible each year
through roads and trail building.
Tourists are encouraged to come 10
this country for recreation, The
forest service, however, requests
that care be exercised with fires
and that camps be left in sanitary
condition in order that the beauties
of this country may not be married.
Many persons are beginning TO find
this country attractive for fire.
quent visits. Some are building
summer homes there on plots OF
ground which can be secured I'M
der forest service permit.