The Latir Peak (pronounced Lateer) Massif contains the second highest and the northernmost peak of the Latir Peak Wilderness of northern New Mexico known as Latir Peak, as well as several minor subpeaks known as Latir Mesa (Pt. 12,692, Pt. 12,642, Pt. 12,287, and Pt. 12,289). Latir Peak is also the 12th highest (New Mexico Highest List) peak in the entire state of New Mexico. The Latir Peak Wilderness is located about 10 miles north (as the crow flies) of Red River, New Mexico in the Sangre De Christo Mountain Range. The most stiking aspect of this mountain is not the mountain itself, but the lakes below it. 9 beautiful lakes lie below the peak, 7 of them stacking up like stairs one by one. These lakes are a must see. Bring your fly rod!

Latir Peak (left), Latir Mesa Pt. 12,692 (middle), and Latir Mesa Pt. 12,642 (right)

The views from the summit of Latir Peak rival any other place in New Mexico. Several fourteen thousand foot mountains in southern Colorado (Culebra, the Blanca Group, and the Crestones) can be viewed as well as several thirteen thousand foot mountains (the Wheeler Peak group and the Truchas Peak group) in New Mexico. A list of the 10 highest peaks in New Mexico can be seen on the Chimayosos Peak page.

Latir Peak Wilderness

Although the peaks of this relatively small wilderness (20,000 acres) are rounded and are easily climbed, the beauty of this wilderness is striking and makes it a worthy place to visit. Because of its remote location, the peaks of the Latir Wilderness remain uncrowded unlike some of the places in its southern neighbor, the Pecos Wilderness. Established in 1980, the Latir Peak Wilderness is one of New Mexico's finest.

Virsilvia Peak, Venado Peak, Cabresto Peak, Mt. Questa, and Pinabete Peak. Photo courtesy of (dherrera96)

In addition to plenty of high alpine meadows and tundra for the adventurous hiker to enjoy, the Latir Wilderness offers plenty of high alpine lakes. The stunning Latir Lakes offer the fisherman and hiker a remote and beautiful collection of nine lakes seldom seen, seven of which stack up one by one like stairs below 12,708 ft. Latir Peak. Seven other peaks in this wilderness top 12,000 ft.

Help Protect Valle Vidal

Valle Vidal is a wilderness area very close to the northern trailhead of Latir Peak (see Little Costilla Peak). If you continue on country road 191 past the fee station for Latir Peak, you will drive right into the Valley Vidal. It is not an "official" wilderness area but it should be. Carson National Forest is assessing the feasibility and impact of coalbed methane development (CBM) in the Valle Vidal. This would be very damaging. This wilderness needs to be protected before this happens. Here is how to get involved.

Coalition for the Valley Vidal

Getting There

There are two access points for this peak:

1. From the town of Questa, New Mexico, drive 2/10 of a mile East on NM 38 towards Red River. There will be a sign directing you to turn left towards Cabresto Lake (NM State Highway 563). About 6 miles up the road, make a left turn (forest road 134A) at the sign directing you towards Cabresto Lake. It is 2 miles to a parking area from this point. The road is very rough and steep, passable by some 2x2 vehicles with good ground clearance. A 4x4 will make this road much easier. There is a fairly large parking area with a few campsites available if you desire to camp. You will be easily able to find the trailhead which passes by Cabresto Lake on the West.

2. This is the easiest route, but requires a $20 per vehicle fee ($7 more per person to fish) because the lakes are on the property of the Rio Costilla Cattle Association, and requires a 4x4. The fee station is about 12 miles up county road 196 heading east out of Costilla, NM. The self service fee station is located on the right after a really neat box canyon.

Red Tape

There are no fees or permits required as long as you access the Latir Wilderness from the Cabresto Lake side.

Per DukeJH: A $20 per vehicle fee is required to access Latir Peak from the Latir Peaks side (an additional $7 per person to fish). Access opens around mid-June after the spawn and closes after Labor Day weekend. Winter access is not allowed due to commercial hunting activities. Fee is payable at the entrance to the road up to the lakes.

Wilderness is land set aside as part of wild America, where man can be a visitor. The natural environment has not been disturbed. Travel is restricted to foot or horseback. No mechanized equipment is allowed.

US Forest Service Information:

Questa Ranger District
P.O. Box 110
Questa, NM 87556
(505)586-0520
(505)758-6230

Current Carson National Forest Fire Restrictions Website

Sangre de Christo Mountains Avalanche Information:

Note: This information pertains to the southern Colorado Sangre de Christo mountains, however Latir Peak could be included because it is so close to the Colorado border.

Avalanche Information

For information on obtaining permits to access the Latir Lakes call:

RCCLA, Costilla, NM 87524, Phone: (505) 586-0542.

When To Climb

This peak can be climbed at any time of year, although the summer months of June through September are the best. Plan on summitting early to avoid common afternoon showers containing lightning during the summer months. October through May will vary depending on the snowfall. Avalanche dangers can exist during the winter months.

Camping

There are several places to camp at the trailhead although it can be crowded on the weekends. There are numerous campsites along the trail and above timberline if you so choose.

Mountain Conditions

External Links

Images



[ View Gallery - 10 More Images ]