Black Mountain (Catron County, New Mexico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Mountain |
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 Black Mountain
Location in New Mexico
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,889 ft (3,319 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,367 ft (417 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Catron County, New Mexico |
| Parent range | Black Range |
| Topo map | USGS Black Mountain |
Black Mountain is a cool mountain located in Catron County, New Mexico. It sits right on the northern edge of the Gila Wilderness and is part of the huge Gila National Forest. This makes it a great spot for nature and outdoor adventures!
Contents
Where Does Black Mountain's Water Go?
Black Mountain is an important part of a watershed. This means all the rain and snow that falls on the mountain eventually flows into rivers.
The Gila River Connection
The water from Black Mountain flows into the Gila River. The Gila River is a big river that eventually joins the Colorado River. From there, the water travels all the way to the Gulf of California in Mexico.
- The eastern and northern sides of Black Mountain send their water into the East Fork of the Gila River.
- The western and southern sides drain into the Middle Fork of the Gila River.
This system helps keep the rivers and the land around them healthy.
What's Special About Black Mountain?
Black Mountain isn't just a tall peak; it also has some interesting history.
The Historic Lookout Cabin
At the top of Black Mountain, there's a special building called the Black Mountain Lookout Cabin. This cabin is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a protected site because of its history.
The cabin was once used by the Forest Service to spot wildfires from high up. It helped protect the forests and wildlife for many years.
Recent Events at the Summit
In 2011, a large wildfire called the Miller Fire affected the area around Black Mountain. Because of this and other reasons, the lookout tower at the summit has been closed for a while. Even though it's closed, the mountain remains a significant landmark in the Gila National Forest.
