Flora and fauna

The forest is predominantly coniferous, with pi'n/juniper "scrub" at the lowest elevations that gives way to ponderosa pines mid-range and spruce/fir forest higher up. Aspens are intermixed with the conifers above about 8000' (2400 meters) and provide additional color, particularly in fall. Timberline is unusually high at 11,500'/3500 meters or even higher. Many of the higher peaks are veritable gardens of alpine wildflowers once the snow has melted. Black bear and deer are common throughout the forest. The eastern unit contains bighorn sheep (some of which have become so used to human presence as to constitute a camp pest), and a substantial elk population splits time between the western unit (and the Valles Caldera National Preserve) in summer and Bandelier National Monument in winter. Mountain lions live in the forest but are rarely encountered. Birds are plentiful and diverse, including eagles, wild turkeys, and several species of hummingbirds. Most of the terrain is too high for snakes to be abundant, although rattlesnakes are occasionally seen as high as Pajarito Ski Area near Los Alamos, elevation 9500' (2900 m). Watercourses tend to be small and seasonal, so that there are few large fish, although some lakes and streams are able to sustain a population of trout.

Climate

The large elevation variations in the forest preclude universal, concise statements about climate. Snow and freezing temperatures (at least at night) are possible year-round on the high summits; shirtsleeve weather is common in the winter at the lower elevations. About the only common denominator is that springtime is windy and relatively dry. Broadly, the higher elevations (say above 8000 feet, or 2400 meters) have conditions typical of continental mountain ranges, generally somewhat warmer and drier than the similar ranges of Colorado. Snowfall during winter is wildly variable, but normally covers the high peaks above timberline and persists through spring, commonly closing many campgrounds until May or so. Many hiking trails in the high country still have snow on them in June. Spring is warm and dry, with a gradual onset of thunderstorms starting in June and building to a "monsoon" condition in August. The high peaks are notoriously prone to lightning strikes; if you're hiking, make sure you're off the summits by 1 p.m. during the summer.

Fall is clear, crisp and delightful, with the first significant snow usually in October and the first snow that "sticks" frequently occurring around Thanksgiving. The lower elevations are semi-arid, and winter snowfall is even more variable than at higher elevations. Some winters have seen individual storms that deposit over 40 inches (1 meter) of snow, while in other years, winter passes without this much snow falling in the entire season. Low temperatures can drop below zero (Fahrenheit). Spring is warm and dry, sometimes downright hot -- high temperatures can reach 90 F (38 C) or higher -- and dry conditions persist deeper into the summer than in the higher elevations. The monsoonal thunderstorms begin to drift off the mountains in July to cool (and soak) the lower elevations, until the warm, dry fall conditions begin soon after Labor Day.

Get around

The many trails in the forest are generally accessible to hikers, horses, and mountain bikes. Motorized travel is forbidden in the two wilderness areas, but there are a number of abandoned logging roads outside the wildernesses that are suitable for ORVs and dirt bikes. (Please operate responsibly; damage in this terrain and climate takes a long time to heal.) Trails and, to a lesser extent, logging roads in the high country tend to be soggy until June or even July due to snowmelt. In much of the area, snowshoes are more satisfactory for winter travel than skis or snowmobiles, because of the steepness and narrowness of the trails. Sparse snow makes all of these means of travel marginal at elevations below 8000' or so. Although most of the mountains have relatively gentle slopes, there is some potential for avalanche hazard, particularly along the main ridge line of the Sangre de Cristos but also to some extent in the Jemez.

Attractions

A national forest is more of a "Do" place than a "See" place. However, there are attractive views of the forest from a number of viewpoints in the Espaéla Valley and along the "High Road to Taos," a network of back roads connecting Taos and Santa Fe. State route 4 between Los Alamos and Jemez Springs also offers attractive vistas. Autumn color in Santa Fe National Forest mainly takes the form of a band of gold at elevations above about 8000 feet (2500 meters), where the leaves in the aspen groves turn en masse. A drive to the Santa Fe Ski Basin at this time is scenically rewarding. Peak period varies from year to year and locale to locale, but is commonly during the last week in September.

Dining

 • Most of the communities around the forest have restaurants, notably Santa Fe which is one of the prime dining cities in the United States; see the pages for the communities themselves. An excellent restaurant not (yet) mentioned in a city page is Rancho de Chimayo, in the tiny town of Chimayo near the northwest corner of the Pecos Wilderness. Standard New Mexican fare (red and green chile, stuffed sopaipillas, carne adovada, etc.) well prepared and served, in a beautiful mountain setting. (Service and preparation can deteriorate if you're in a large party; go in a small party if you can.) On County road 98 in Chimayo; phone (505) 351-4444 (reservations suggested). Open for lunch and dinner 7 days May-October, Tuesday-Saturday (Sunday?) otherwise.
 • If you're planning on cooking your own food, be aware that selections in groceries and convenience stores in the smaller towns can be limited. Full-service groceries can be found in Los Alamos, Espaéla, and of course Santa Fe.

Links

Official forest site with camping details, etc. 

• Get In
• Activities
• Lodging
• Stay Safe

Landscape

The national forest includes many of New Mexico's highest mountains, although the very highest are in Carson National Forest immediately to the north. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are in the eastern (Santa Fe) part of the forest, while the western (Los Alamos) part includes much of the Jemez Mountains. Elevations range from about 5300' (1600 meters) up to 13,102' (3993 meters) at the summit of Truchas Peak.

Fees/Permits

Most of the campgrounds have fees for overnight stays; there may also be small ($2/night) fees for parking cars overnight at some of the more popular trailheads for backpackers, particularly around Cowles. Most other recreational use of the forest is free. Access to the Pecos and San Pedro Parks

Wildernesses was controlled at one time by a permit system, but the permits have been discontinued and access is now free and unlimited. Seasonal closures due to fire hazard may occur in any and all of the national forest area, particularly in June and early July, and open campfires may be restricted during the spring. Inquire locally; the web site below generally does a good job of staying current on fire-related restrictions.

Get out

Most of the activities possible in Santa Fe National Forest are equally possible in Carson National Forest, which adjoins it on the north. Carson contains the state's highest mountain (Wheeler Peak, 13,161') and additional wilderness areas as well as jeep roads, campgrounds, fishing streams, etc.

Bandelier National Monument is adjacent to the southwest corner of Santa Fe National Forest and also offers hiking, camping and fishing; motorized off-road travel, however, is forbidden there. Santa Fe, Taos and Los Alamos offer the usual in-(small)-town attractions when your stay in the forest is over.