Big Hatchet Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big Hatchet Peak |
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Big Hatchet Peak viewed from the access road
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,359 ft (2,548 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,696 ft (1,127 m) |
| Geography | |
 Big Hatchet Peak
Location in New Mexico
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| Parent range | Big Hatchet Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Big Hatchet Peak |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
Big Hatchet Peak is the highest point in the Big Hatchet Mountains. These mountains are found in the very southwest part of New Mexico, United States. This area is sometimes called the "Bootheel" of New Mexico.
The mountains are about 50 miles southwest of Deming. The Big Hatchet Mountains stretch for about 12 miles. Their southeastern edge is only about 3.5 miles from the border with Mexico. Most of this land is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
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About Big Hatchet Peak
Big Hatchet Peak rises sharply from the valleys around it. The Playas Valley is to the west, and the Hachita Valley is to the east. The top of the peak is about 4,000 feet higher than these valleys.
The northern and western sides of the peak are very steep. This makes it look like a very impressive mountain. There are other smaller peaks in this mountain range. Most of them do not have names. One named peak is New Well Peak. It is about 6,284 feet tall. New Well Peak is at the southeast end of the mountains.
How the Mountains Formed
The Big Hatchet Mountains are part of a larger area called the Basin and Range Province. This area covers much of the southwestern U.S. and parts of northern Mexico. These mountains are "fault-block" mountains. This means they were formed when large blocks of Earth's crust moved along cracks called faults.
The mountains are made of different kinds of rocks. Some are limestone from the Paleozoic Era. Others are shale and sandstone from the Cretaceous Period.
Plants and Animals
The Big Hatchet Mountains are close to the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sonoran Desert. But because they are so tall, they have many different environments. These environments are more like the mountains further north.
Many interesting animals live here. You might find different kinds of bats. There are also many raptors, which are birds that hunt. Bighorn sheep live in these mountains. You might also see javelina, which are wild pig-like animals.
Visiting the Mountains
The Big Hatchet Mountains are far from big towns. There are no paved roads to get there. Also, there are no special places built for visitors. Because of this, not many people visit the mountains for fun.
However, if you want to hike Big Hatchet Peak, there is a common path. It goes along the South Ridge from Thompson Canyon. This route is fairly easy to follow.
Images for kids
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Big Hatchet Peak from the northeast
