Box Canyon (Doña Ana County, New Mexico) facts for kids

Box Canyon, originally known as Picacho Pass, is a natural passage, or canyon, located in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The lowest part of the canyon is about 3,927 feet high. Its starting point is found at coordinates 32°20′3″N 106°56′31″W.

History of Box Canyon

Box Canyon was once called Pecatch Pass. This name was used by Waterman L. Ormsby. He traveled through this canyon on the very first westbound journey of the Butterfield Overland Mail.

The Name Mix-Up

The name "Pecatch Pass" was actually a mistake. The correct name was "Picacho Pass." This name came from the nearby Picacho Mountain. The village of Picacho was also named after this mountain. Ormsby's stagecoach would change horses at the Picacho Stage Station. This station was just south of the canyon's entrance.

A Traveler's Description

Waterman L. Ormsby wrote about his journey through the pass. He said:

• "Our road went through what was called the Pecatch [Picacho] Pass."
• "I walked almost the whole way through it."
• "It felt quite mountainous to me."
• "The pass was about two miles long."
• "It had some very difficult hills."
• "Compared to other passes on the route, it wasn't the worst."
• "But it was still quite challenging and all uphill."
• "When we reached the top, we saw a wide, flat plain."
• "This plain stretched as far as I could see."
• "Behind us were the Organ Mountains."
• "These mountains are part of the Rocky Mountains."
• "They form the eastern edge of the area."
• "Far in the distance, Cooke's Peak stood out."
• "It rose boldly from the plain among the surrounding hills."