A little history about the Lincoln

The Lincoln consists of three ranger districts; Sacramento, Smokey Bear and Guadalupe. There are three major mountain ranges; Sacramento, Guadalupe and Capitan that cover 1,103,441 acres in parts of four counties in southeastern New Mexico. Elevations of 4,000 to 11,500 feet pass through five different life zones from Chihuahuan desert to sub-alpine forest. Vegetation ranges from rare cacti in the lower elevations to Englemann spruce in the higher.

Temperatures also vary with elevation. At higher elevations, 7,000 feet and up, summer nights are chilly 40º and days are warm 78º, while winter temperatures can drop to a -15º at night and rise to 40º-50º during the day. At lower elevations, 6000-7000 feet, winter temperatures rarely fall below 0 and usually run from teens to 50s. Summer temperatures range from 50º to 85º. At the lowest elevations, 4,000 to 6,000 feet, temperatures are generally 10 degrees higher throughout the year.

Spring is the windy season. High winds dry the forest to the point of extreme fire danger. Fire season usually starts in March or April and continues through mid-July. If the fire danger becomes too high, open fires may be prohibited, requiring the use of contained fuel stoves for cooking. The rainy season begins in July and continues through September. The first snows fall in late October or early November.

Due to the rapidly changing environment, forest users are constantly faced with safety factors which they should be familiar with and avoid trouble through awareness and preparedness.

Supervisor's Office Information

Supervisor’s Office
1101 New York Avenue
Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310
505-434-7200

The US Post Office first occupied this outstanding example of pueblo architecture, built in 1934.  In 1961, when a new post office was constructed, other federal agencies moved into what then became known as the Old Federal Building.  Through the years, a number of agencies, Internal Revenue Service, and Soil Conservation Service have had their offices here.  Presently, the Lincoln National Forest Service is sole occupant.

Painted frescos around the front door and on either end of the entryway were painted by then unknown Peter Hurd, when he was a member of a depression-era project which provided artwork for federal buildings.  Peter Hurd characteristically chose themes of this region.  One of the outer panels is of a yucca, the other is of a wild verbena.  The center panel spans the doorway with sky.  To the right side of the door stands a nearly full size figure of a sheep herder, one hand raised to the sky in thanks for rain.  “Ven lluvia bendita ven a acariciar la tierra sediento” – “Come blessed rain, come caress the thirsty land”.   To the left side of the door is a farm scene – a young woman pauses while hoeing in the garden to watch her daughter playing in the soil; “Come sunlight after the rain to bring green life out of the earth.”

Smokey Bear District Information

Smokey Bear Ranger District
901 Mechem Drive
Ruidoso, NM 88345
505-257-4095

Headquarters for the Smokey Bear Ranger District is in Ruidoso. The District manages approximately 375,000 acres and ranges in elevation from 5,400 to 11,580 feet.  There are two wilderness areas totaling approximately 86,000 acres.  Ski Apache Resort, one of the largest ski areas in the Southwest is also located on the district.

Vegetation ranges from semi-desert plants, pinyon pine and juniper to spruce, fir and high-elevation grasses and forbs.  Weather is directly tied to elevation.  In the summer, expect sweltering temperatures down in the desert and the necessity of a sweater or jacket in the high country.  Springtime is usually dry and windy while July and August are the rainy months, with frequent afternoon showers or thunderstorms.  A combination of high elevation and abundant moisture result in a beautiful array of color from flowering plants during the summer months. Perhaps the most beautiful time of year is in the fall, when oaks, maples and aspens wrap the mountain slopes in breathtaking colors.

The towns of Lincoln, where on of the famous shoot-outs of Billy the Kid took place and Capitan, the burial site of the original Smokey Bear are conveniently located near the District.

Sacramento District Information

Sacramento Ranger District
P.O. Box 288
Cloudcroft, New Mexico 88317
682-2551

The Sacramento Ranger District is headquartered in Cloudcroft and manages 450,419 acres.  In elevations ranging from 4600 to 9695 feet visitors may enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, hiking, bird watching, motorcycling, sight-seeing, or horseback riding, plus snowmobiling, inner-tubing, cross-country and downhill skiing.

Between Cloudcroft and Alamogordo on US 82 is the only highway tunnel in Southern New Mexico.  A parking area just west of the tunnel affords a spectacular view of Fresnal Canyon, White Sands, and the Tularosa Basin. Near Cloudcroft is another pull-off area where visitors can look back in time at the railroad trestle spanning the Mexican Canyon.

Another area of interest is Sacramento Peak Observatory, an area used for solar research.  Many magnificent vistas may be seen while driving the Scenic By-Way to the observatory.  The observatory is open for self-guided tours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and for guided tours on Saturdays at 2:00 pm from May 1 through October 1.

Trees such as Douglas Fir, Ponderosa pine, aspen, and oak envelope the hiking trails and are home to a great variety of birds.  Wild flowers such as Blue Columbine, Alpine Daisy, Dinquefoil, Penstemon, and Larkspur carpet the forest and meadows in splendor.  White-tailed deer, mule deer, ringtail cat, black bears, Rocky Mountain elk, plus raccoons and porcupines are only a few of the wildlife that my be seen. 

Guadalupe District Information

Guadalupe Ranger District
Federal Building, Room 159
Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220
505-885-4181
 

The Guadalupe Ranger District (District) of the Lincoln National Forest is a magical place where gentle rolling hills meet deep rough canyons atop the Guadalupe Mountain Range. Chihuahuan Desert plant life mixes with piñon, juniper, and ponderosa pine woodlands to create what the Spanish called, “El Espejismo del Desierto”.

This “Mirage in the Desert” is the perfect place for seekers of solitude or people who wish to “get away from it all.” With the exception of the Queen Café and RV Park, a small convenience store, café and RV campground located along Highway 137 in Queen, NM, modern day trappings do not exist. Wildlife is plentiful throughout the District, but viewing is best in early morning and late evening hours.

The Guadalupe Mountain Range itself is an exposed portion of the ancient Capitan barrier reef. Most of the Guadalupe Ranger District is the back-reef, where sedimentary formations are rich with Permian Age fossils. The District varies in elevation from 3,500 feet on the northern part to 7,500 feet on the southern part of the District.

The northern two-thirds of the District consist of rolling hills and canyons, which run uniquely to the east towards the Pecos River. In this area, you will find all varieties of cacti and agaves blooming for a short period of time in late Spring. The Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Rim Road (Forest Road 67) and Last Chance Canyon Trail (T226) are popular sights of interest for this part of the District.

Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area is the jewel of the District. A 150-foot waterfall cascades down to natural pools where you can cool off on a hot summer’s day. Picturesque, stone built picnic areas and restrooms, accessible cooking grills, covered, along with a variety of hiking trails, make a trip to Sitting Bulls Falls Recreation Area a day of fun for the whole family.

Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area (Sitting Bull Falls) is a part of the National Lands and Recreation Enhancement Act, which allows the Forest Service to charge a fee and have 80 to 95 percent of the collected fee returned to the area for operations and maintenance. Sitting Bull Falls requires a $5.00 use fee except on Wednesdays. Exact change is required! Annual passes are available at the District Office in Carlsbad. Sitting Bull Falls is open year round, but hours of operation change twice a year. The hours of operation are: April 1st to September 31st from 8:30am to 6:00pm and October 1st to March 31st from 8:30am to 5:00pm. The entrance gate closes thirty minutes before closing time.

Drinking water is available at the Sitting Bull Falls parking area. Please take plenty of water while hiking on the various trails located in this area. Be sure you are off the trails by closing time if parked at the Sitting Bull Falls parking area or you may be locked in for the night. If you are hiking or backpacking on the trails late, park at the Last Chance Trailhead ($5.00 fee required). Sorry, overnight camping is not allowed within the Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area including the Last Chance Trailhead.

The southern third of the District consists of deep canyons with sheer cliffs and plant life unusual for this part of New Mexico such as Chinkapin oak and Douglas-fir trees. The Texas Madrone tree with its shedding bark can also be seen in this area.

There are many activities that are enjoyed on the District. Take a scenic drive on Forest Road 540 to Five Points Vista or hike a portion of the Camp Wilderness Trail off Forest Road 3008. There are many other primitive trails to hike but you must be prepared for the journey. This breathtaking area is remote with no drinking water available and no available services. Most of the District’s primitive caves are located in the steep rugged canyons of this area.

All caves on the Lincoln National Forest, including those on the Guadalupe Ranger District, require your own equipment and a permit for entry. Cave permits are free, but due to limited access, permits are issued on a first come, first served basis. To enter some caves, a guide is required because of the sensitive nature of cave formations or on-going restoration work.

For more information on any District activities, maps and to apply for a cave permit, contact the Guadalupe Ranger District Office in Carlsbad, NM.