Cookes Range Wilderness Study Area Trails

Cookes Range Wilderness Study Area Trails

Probably no Wilderness Study Area in New Mexico has greater historical significance than the Cookes Range WSA, a fact illustrated by important historic sites located just outside the WSA boundary. Petroglyphs left by the long-vanished Mogollon Culture are here, as well as Mimbres Culture lithic and dwelling sites. Fort Cummings, whose ruins are in Cookes Canyon just 0.5 mile east of the WSA, played an important role in the Apache wars of the latter 1800s. In 1882, the mining boomtown of Cookes sprang up on the side of Cookes Peak, along the WSA’s northeast boundary. The WSA’s southeast boundary coincides with the Butterfield Overland Mail route. In addition, the Cookes Range WSA, with its rugged and varied topography, supports a rich diversity of plants and animals including rare and endangered species. Except for the route to Cookes Peak described below, little hiking occurs here except for foot travel on old roads. This trail guide covers an area with no maintained trails.

See all Hiking in New Mexico