Datil Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Datil Mountains |
|
|---|---|
Looking south at the Madre Mountain Inventoried Roadless Area in the Datil Mountains.
|
|
 Datil Mountains
Location in New Mexico
|
|
| Location | New Mexico, United States |
| Nearest city | Datil, NM |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service, Cibola National Forest |
The Datil Mountains are a small mountain range in New Mexico, USA. They are located in Socorro and Catron Counties, near the town of Datil, New Mexico. The name "Datil" comes from a Spanish word meaning "date." Some people think the name comes from how yucca seedpods look like dates. Others believe it refers to the fruit of the prickly pear cactus.
The highest point in the range is Madre Mountain, which is about 9,556 feet tall. This mountain is very important to the Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni Native American tribes.
Most of the Datil Mountains are part of the Magdalena Ranger District. This district is managed by the Cibola National Forest. There are two special areas here called Inventoried Roadless Areas (IRAs). These are the Datil IRA (13,974 acres) and the Madre Mountain IRA (19,855 acres). These areas are kept wild and natural, with steep hills covered in thick forests. You can see the jagged Sawtooth Mountains to the west.
Contents
Nature and Wildlife
The Datil Mountains are home to many different types of plants and animals. You can find areas with scrubland, pinyon-juniper trees, and ponderosa pine forests. There are also areas with oak trees and open grasslands.
Plants of the Datil Mountains
At lower elevations, you might see grasses like black grama and sideoats grama. Higher up, you'll find blue grama and hairy grama. Common shrubs include yucca, cholla, and Apache plume. You can also spot different types of oak and juniper trees.
Animals of the Datil Mountains
The Datil Mountains are full of amazing wildlife. You might see large animals like elk and mule deer. There are also black bears, bobcats, coyotes, and foxes.
Birds are also common here. Look for bald eagles and golden eagles soaring overhead. Smaller birds like hawks, owls, and different types of quail also live in the area. The mountains are an important place for mountain lions to raise their young.
The Datil Mountains are very important for nature. The Nature Conservancy sees them as a key area in New Mexico. This is because of the wide variety of plants and animals that live here.
Fun Activities in the Datil Mountains
The Datil Mountains offer many chances for outdoor adventures. You can go hiking, camping, and backpacking. It's also a great place for hunting and horseback riding.
Rock Climbing Adventures
If you like rock climbing, Thompson Canyon is a popular spot. It features a challenging climb called the Enchanted Tower. The mountains offer amazing views and a wild, natural feel for all kinds of outdoor fun.
Images for kids
-
A mule deer fawn in the snow. Photo: US Forest Service.
-
A mountain lion in the Cibola National Forest. Photo: US Forest Service.
-
The Datil Mountains are home to elk. Photo: US Forest Service.
-
Bobcats live in the Datil Mountains. Photo: US Fish and Wildlife Service.
-
A black bear in Cibola National Forest. Photo: US Forest Service.
-
Mirriam's turkeys are found in the Datil Mountains. Photo: NM Department of Game & Fish.
