The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are The southernmost subrange of the Rocky Mountains Sangre de Cristo Mountains which also means in Spanish is "Blood of Christ".
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are located in the United States in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico.
The highest peak of the Sangre de Cristo mountains is Blanca Peak in Colorado.
The highest peak in New Mexico is Wheeler Peak.
The highest point in the Wet Mountains of southern Colorado is Greenhorn Mountain.
Mount Phillips is located in Colfax County which was also called Clear Creek Mountain.
In honor of Waite Phillips peak was renamed as Mount Phillips in 1960.
In South-Central Colorado, Sangre de Cristo Mountains run from Poncha Pass, after heading towards southeast and south, finishes at Glorieta Pass, which is in the southeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains is having around fourteen thousand foot summits in the Colorado part and over thirteen thousand feet in New Mexico.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are named due to reddish color observed during sunrise and sunset, and when dawn occurs, especially when there is snow in the mountains.
Although The origin of the name of The Sangre de Cristo Mountains is unclear, it has been used since the early 19th century.
The names"La Sierra Nevada", "La Sierra Madre", "La Sierra", and "The Snowies" were used before the time.
According to folklore, when a priest was killed by Native Americans his last words were "Sangre de Cristo".
Land management and recreation overview
Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range
A major part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is within National Forests such as the Rio Grande and San Isabel in Colorado, and the Carson and Santa Fe in New Mexico.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range is popular for hunting, camping, hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, climbing, and cross-country and downhill skiing and major accessible areas are managed by the United States Forest Service
Two large wilderness areas in the mountains are the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness which is in Colorado and the Pecos Wilderness in New Mexico.
Smaller wilderness areas, include are Latir Peak Wilderness.
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The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve lies on the southwest side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, which is governed by the National Park Service.
Subranges
From north to south the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are divided into various subranges such as
Sangre de Cristo Range
Most northerly and the largest subrange of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is The Sangre de Cristo Range which stretches from Poncha Pass of 75 miles (120 km) to La Veta Pass along the east side of the Rio Grande Rift, to the southeast from Poncha Pass of 75 miles (120 km) to La Veta Pass, approximately 20 miles (32 km) to the west of Walsenburg.
They form a high ridge that separates the San Luis Valley on the west from the watershed of the Arkansas River on the east.
Crestones
The Crestones is a group of four peaks (fourteeners) of 14,000+ foot (4,268+ m) elevation in the Sangre de Cristo Range in Colorado.
Spanish Peaks
The Spanish Peaks are a pair of mountains, located in southwestern Huerfano County, Colorado includes West Spanish Peak, which is of 13,626 ft (4,153 m) elevation and East Spanish Peak of 12,860 ft (3,920 m) elevation.
The Spanish Peaks is one of the best-known examples of igneous dikes and also in 1976 were designated a National Natural Landmark.
The mountains can be seen to the north from Colorado Springs, to the west from Alamosa, Colorado, to the south from Raton, New Mexico, and to the east from La Junta, Colorado.
Culebra Range
Culebra Peak at 14,047 ft (4,282 m) is its highest point, which is notable for being the only fourteener in Colorado which is on private land.
There is a fee of (currently US$100 per person) to climb Culebra, and they allow a limited number of climbers per year.
The most southerly fourteener in the U.S. Rockies is also Culebra.
From the main crest, there are the two prominent peaks Spanish Peaks.
This bioregion receives an annual rainfall of seven to eight inches (180 to 200 mm). The Culebra Micro-basin is a rich agricultural history in Colorado.
Taos Mountains
The Taos Mountains span from Costilla Creek in the north to Tres Ritos in the south.
Taos Mountains include the highest point in New Mexico, Other notable peaks include Pueblo Peak and Latir Peak. is located Below the Wheeler Peak, there is Williams Lake which is in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness.
To the west of Wheeler Peak lies Taos Ski Valley. A major portion of the Taos Mountains is on Taos Pueblo land. They are locally called "Taos Mountain."
The highest point of the Taos Mountain is Cerro Vista, 11,939 ft (3,639 m). The Fernando Mountains is also in this section.
Cimarron Range
To the east of the Taos Mountains across the Moreno Valley lies The Cimarron Range. The highest point of this range is Baldy Mountain at 12,441 ft (3,792 m). To the east side of the Cimarron Range lies The Philmont Scout Ranch.
Rincon Mountains
Rincon Mountains lies east of the southernmost portion of the Taos Mountains.
Santa Fe Mountains
The Santa Fe Mountains are located around the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The highest point is Truchas Peak, 13,102 ft (3,993 m).
Santa Fe Baldy (12,622 ft (3,847 m)) and Jicarita Peak (12,835 ft (3,912 m)) are some notable peaks.
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