Point of Rocks (Sierra County, New Mexico) facts for kids
Point of Rocks, named by the Spanish Cerros del Perrillo (Hills of the Doggy), is a mountain peak and a range of hills in New Mexico. The peak itself stands tall at 5,115 feet (about 1,559 meters), making it the highest point in these hills. You can find Point of Rocks mostly in Sierra County, New Mexico, within a large, flat area known as the Jornada del Muerto plateau. A small part of these hills also stretches into Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
A Landmark on the Old Royal Road
Point of Rocks was a very important landmark along an old, famous road called the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. This "Royal Road of the Interior Land" passed just west of these hills. Nearby, to the south, travelers found two small waterholes and a place to camp. This was one of the few reliable spots to get water along the difficult route known as the Jornada del Muerto.
This camping spot was called the Paraje del Perrillo, which means "Place of the Little Dog." The story goes that a small dog returned to the thirsty Oñate expedition with muddy paws. This led the explorers to search and discover two small waterholes nearby. The Spanish then fittingly named these waterholes Los Charcos del Perrillo, or "The Puddles of the Doggy."
Ancient Travelers and Lookout Points
Long before the Spanish arrived, the water at Los Charcos del Perrillo was also a popular watering spot for the local Apache people. When travelers entered the Jornada del Muerto, they were often watched carefully from the mountains and hills along the route. Signal fires would be lit to warn others about these newcomers. These fires also helped to show how many travelers there were.
Point of Rocks itself was a challenging place for travelers. It was an ideal spot for Apache warriors to hide and plan an attack or an ambush. The camping spot, Paraje del Perrillo, was located a safe distance from the slopes of Point of Rocks. Still, travelers were always advised to be careful and stay alert when they were near this area.
