The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail crosses through the San Pedro Parks Wilderness from Cuba, NM to the Carson National Forest. Its route follows along Los Pinos, Vacas, Penas Negras and Rio Capulin trails.
San Pedro Parks Wilderness began as a Primitive Area, established by the Chief of the Forest Service in 1931. In 1941 the Secretary of Agriculture classified it as a Wild Area and set its acreage at 41,132 acres. It became the San Pedro Parks Wilderness as part of the original Wilderness Act in July 1964.
I went through the San Pedro in May and it was major wet in the form of a sleet storm. May is known as a dry month here, don't count on it. Make sure you carry foul weather gear when you reach this point on the CDT. I did not and paid big time for it in the form of the most uncomfortable night I have ever spent in the backcountry.
Although the elevation averages 10,000 feet above sea level, San Pedro Parks Wilderness is bereft of the usual dramatic peaks and picturesque cliffs. Instead, expect high, relatively moist, rolling mountaintops with numerous meadows and large grassy "parks." Dense stands of Engelmann spruce and mixed conifers compete for space with small stands of aspen. Clear streams wander through the forest openings and rarely send trout-seeking anglers away empty-handed. Be prepared for frequent afternoon rainfall in July and August. This rainfall enables the meadows to flourish with bluegrass, oat grass, sedge, rush, and the extravagant Rocky Mountain iris, only to be covered with snow come November.
San Pedro Parks Wilderness began as a Primitive Area, established by the Chief of the Forest Service in 1931. In 1941 the Secretary of Agriculture classified it as a Wild Area and set its acreage at 41,132 acres. It became the San Pedro Parks Wilderness as part of the original Wilderness Act in July 1964.
I went through the San Pedro in May and it was major wet in the form of a sleet storm. May is known as a dry month here, don't count on it. Make sure you carry foul weather gear when you reach this point on the CDT. I did not and paid big time for it in the form of the most uncomfortable night I have ever spent in the backcountry.
Although the elevation averages 10,000 feet above sea level, San Pedro Parks Wilderness is bereft of the usual dramatic peaks and picturesque cliffs. Instead, expect high, relatively moist, rolling mountaintops with numerous meadows and large grassy "parks." Dense stands of Engelmann spruce and mixed conifers compete for space with small stands of aspen. Clear streams wander through the forest openings and rarely send trout-seeking anglers away empty-handed. Be prepared for frequent afternoon rainfall in July and August. This rainfall enables the meadows to flourish with bluegrass, oat grass, sedge, rush, and the extravagant Rocky Mountain iris, only to be covered with snow come November.
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