Ladron Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ladrón Peak |
|
|---|---|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 9,186 ft (2,800 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,130 ft (950 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Socorro County, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Parent range | Sierra Ladrones |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | off-trail hike/scramble from west side |
Ladrón Peak is a tall, noticeable mountain in central New Mexico, USA. It stands out because it's quite alone, about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Albuquerque. This peak is the main part of a small mountain range called the Sierra Ladrones. This range sits between two rivers, the Rio Puerco to the east and the Rio Salado to the southwest.
Contents
About Ladrón Peak's Geology
Even though Ladrón Peak looks like a cone and is near lava flows, it is not a volcano. Instead, it is an igneous intrusion. This means it formed when hot, melted rock pushed up into older rocks underground. This melted rock then cooled and hardened.
The very center of the mountain is made of ancient Precambrian granite. This type of rock is extremely old. The peak rises sharply from the land around it. Its top is almost 4,500 feet (1,370 meters) higher than the Rio Grande Valley, which is about 10 miles (16 km) to the east.
What's in a Name?
The name "Ladrón Peak" means "thief" in Spanish. The name "Sierra Ladrones" means "thieves' mountains." Long ago, groups like the Navajo and Apache used these mountains as secret hideouts. Later, Hispanic and Anglo groups also used the mountains for hiding. This is how the mountains got their name.
People have lived in and used these mountains for over 10,000 years. More recently, ancient cultures like the Mogollon and Anasazi lived here. They left behind signs of their lives.
Protecting the Land
Today, part of the Sierra Ladrones is inside the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. The US Fish and Wildlife Service manages this special area. They work to protect the animals and plants that live there. Other parts of the range are managed by the BLM or are private land.
A Home for Wildlife
Ladrón Peak is like a "sky island" for nature. This means it's a high, cool area surrounded by much drier, lower land. It has plants and animals that you won't find in the grasslands around it. The mountain is tall enough to have cool, green forests on its upper slopes.
Many different animals live on Ladrón Peak. You might find mountain lions, bears, pronghorn, elk, and deer. Desert bighorn sheep have also been brought back to live here.
See also
In Spanish: Pico Ladrón para niños
