A Vision of the
Zuni Mountains Trail Partnership
Tucked away in beautiful Northwest New Mexico is a charming mountain range called the Zuni Mountains. Mt. Sedgwick rises 9256 feet over Ponderosa pine forests, colorful aspen lined canyons, and greentopped red mesas. The Continental Divide runs through the middle and the Zuni’s have several flowing streams draining large,wet flowering meadows.
Native peoples, conquistadors, early land grant settlers, miners, loggers, and ranchers have come in contact with the land. In the early 1900's much of the Zuni Mountain range was purchased for watershed protection and placed under the care of the U.S. Forest Service. Forest and meadow conditions have gradually improved since then and Zuni Mountains are once again a jewel.
The Zuni Mountains are a premier year-round recreational destination with a system of connected non-motorized trails. The Zuni Mountains offer trail experiences for mountain bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers and equestrians on narrow single-track and double-track routes. Families, novices and expert recreationists have plenty of places to play and enjoy the forest from a half-day to several days. Visitors and near-by residents enjoy close-to home forest recreation through community gateway trailheads encompassing the Zuni Mountains.
This Vision is achieved by:
Native peoples, conquistadors, early land grant settlers, miners, loggers, and ranchers have come in contact with the land. In the early 1900's much of the Zuni Mountain range was purchased for watershed protection and placed under the care of the U.S. Forest Service. Forest and meadow conditions have gradually improved since then and Zuni Mountains are once again a jewel.
The Zuni Mountains are a premier year-round recreational destination with a system of connected non-motorized trails. The Zuni Mountains offer trail experiences for mountain bikers, hikers, cross-country skiers and equestrians on narrow single-track and double-track routes. Families, novices and expert recreationists have plenty of places to play and enjoy the forest from a half-day to several days. Visitors and near-by residents enjoy close-to home forest recreation through community gateway trailheads encompassing the Zuni Mountains.
This Vision is achieved by:
- A partnership of communities — Cibola and McKinley counties, state, tribal and federal governments, and affiliated interests wanting to improve the quality of life and sustainability of the Zuni Mountains dedicate local, state, federal and grant funding to projects and management.
- The Zuni Mountain Trail Partnership coordinates volunteers and youth corps members for trails and forest health projects.
- Outfitters offer an array of services from guided tours and full service resort facilities to primitive campsites.
- Surrounding gateway communities that have responded with increased recreation related businesses -- guide services, bike sales, repair and service, lodging, camping, and RV supplies.
- Initiatives by local organizations to plan, design, build and maintain specific trail systems.
- Designing trail experiences for specific user groups.
Project Updates
May 31, 2017Signing Ceremony and announcement of $1.7M in funding
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May 17, 2017District Ranger Alvin Whitehair signs Project Decision Notice
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March 14, 2017District Ranger Alvin Whitehair releases the Environmental Assessment (EA) & Draft Decision Notice
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March, 2016Senator Martin Heinrich advocates for Final Decision on the ZMTP project
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Events in the Zuni Mountains
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24 Hours in the Enchanted ForestCome join us outside of Gallup, NM for 24 Hours in the Enchanted Forest. This is a 12- and 24-hour endurance competition held in the Zuni Mountains. This is our most popular event and provides everything that you would possibly want in an endurance race. We have an awesome venue equipped with food trucks and music, a party atmosphere complete with movies and kid’s activities, and an epic singletrack course. The course is a 13.5 mi. loop with a 700 ft. elevation gain and incorporates some technical rocky sections that are bound to make you smile. Wind and grind through meadows, pines, and aspens, or hang up your hammock and kick back with friends and family. Whether you are going for the podium or going for the party, everyone is welcome and we guarantee that you will have a great time. For more information CLICK HERE |
Partnering Organizations
While the list of partners for this initiative is ever expanding; there are some key agencies and organizations working in the Zuni Mountains on the ground to preserve, promote, and sustain a healthy Forest. This list only highlights a handful of organizations that own, administer, fund, or lead in trail planning, development, and maintenance efforts
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Volunteer OpportunitiesThe ZMTP does provide opportunities for individuals to volunteer in trail maintenance and/or event support.
Gallup YCC Annual Report |
