Peloncillo Mountains (Hidalgo County) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peloncillo Mountains |
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| (Little Baldy) | |
Mountain pass in northern Peloncillos
(1939 photo, west of Lordsburg, NM) |
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Gray Mountain |
| Elevation | 6,928 ft (2,112 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 25 mi (40 km) N-S |
| Width | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Geography | |
 Location in New Mexico
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| Country | US |
| Cities | Rodeo, NM and Animas, NM |
| Range coordinates | 31°52′30″N 108°55′22″W / 31.8750°N 108.9228°W |
The Peloncillo Mountains are a long mountain range mostly in New Mexico, but they also stretch into Arizona. Their name, Peloncillo, comes from Spanish and means Little Baldy. This mountain range is about 35 miles (56 km) long. It forms part of the New Mexico Bootheel area and runs alongside the San Bernardino Valley in Arizona.
The Peloncillo Mountains are part of a special area called the Madrean Sky Islands. Imagine tall mountains rising up like islands from a flat, desert "sea." These "sky islands" are found in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Mexico. They have unique plants and animals that are different from those in the flatlands below. Some of these mountain ranges are connected, while others are quite isolated.
About the Peloncillo Mountains
The Peloncillo Mountains mostly run from north to south. However, they curve towards the northeast at their northern end. Many small canyons and washes drain water from the mountains into the nearby San Bernardino Valley in Arizona.
Historically, these mountains were important. They offered a place for people to find safety during conflicts. They also served as important routes for travel and finding shelter, including paths leading into the safe mountain areas of northern Mexico.
Highest Point and Famous Places
The highest point in the Peloncillo Mountains is Gray Mountain. It stands tall at 6,928 feet (2,112 meters) above sea level. This region is also well-known for Skeleton Canyon. Many important historical events took place there.
Just to the south, the Baker Canyon Wilderness is located in the connected mountain range, the Guadalupe Mountains. This wilderness area is a protected space for nature.
Gallery
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Mt Baldy and Black Mountain beyond Maternity Meadow from Animas Valley
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Gray Mountain from Animas Valley
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North side of Antelope Pass through the Peloncillo Mountains from the San Simon Valley
