Hermit Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hermit Peak |
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Looking west from Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 10,267 ft (3,129 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,040 ft (320 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | San Miguel County, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sangre de Cristo Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS El Porvenir |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | 9.5 mile trail from El Porvenir Trailhead |
Hermit Peak is a mountain located in San Miguel County, New Mexico, in the northern part of New Mexico, United States. It stands tall in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
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The Hermit's Story
Hermit Peak gets its name from a special person named Giovanni Maria de Agostini. He was a religious recluse from Italy. A recluse is someone who chooses to live alone, away from other people, often for religious reasons.
Living in the Cave
Giovanni Maria de Agostini lived in a small cave on the mountain. This cave was on a narrow ledge about 100 feet below the very top of the peak. It was a tricky spot to reach! You had to climb down from above to get to it.
The cave roof was very low, so Agostini could not stand up straight inside. To protect himself from the weather and the steep drop, he built a rock wall around the cave's opening. He lived in this unique home from August 1863 to May 1866.
A Place of Pilgrimage
During his life and for many years after he passed away, Agostini's cave became a special place. Some religious people from New Mexico would make a journey, called a pilgrimage, to visit his cave. They did this to show their respect and faith.
Exploring Hermit Peak
Hermit Peak is part of the Santa Fe National Forest. This means it's a protected natural area. The trails that lead to the peak are looked after by the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District.
Hiking Trails
You can hike to the top of Hermit Peak! The main trail is about four miles long, starting from the El Porvenir Campground. It's a great way to experience the mountain's beauty.
The Mountain's Face
If you look at Hermit Peak from the El Porvenir area, you might notice something cool. The rocky parts of the mountain seem to form a giant face looking up at the sky! You can see what looks like a forehead, an eye, a nose, two lips, and a chin.
The rugged trail to the top of the "nose" actually winds right through the "eye" of this natural face. From the very tip of the "nose," people say you can see views stretching into five different states! There's even a rock overhang on the "nose" known as "Hermit's Cave."
