Sierra Blanca - New Mexico

12,003 foot Sierra Blanca peak in New Mexico is one of my all time favorite places and mountains to hike. This mountain is held sacred by the Apache people so if you ever intend to climb it, you should seek permission. Sierra Blanca is very interesting in that it has a unique climate and it sits as a guardian of the plains of New Mexico and West Texas to the East, the Chihuahuan Desert to the south the Mogollon Mountains to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the North. Because of the convergence of these different ecosystems, Sierra Blanca and the White Mountains are a special and unique place that possess a great amount of biodiversity. 

Sierra Blanca is the highest peak in the White Mountains. It borders the 47,061 acre White Mountain Wilderness of New Mexico. It looms large over Ski Apache - Ski Area and is not far from the mountain town of Ruidoso. JDJ Photo

There is a great trail network in these mountains. The "Crest Trail" #25 runs all the way from Nogal Peak in the North down to the top of 11,580 foot Lookout Peak. - JDJ Photo

The White Mountain Wilderness is home to all kinds of animals. There are Elk, Deer, Black Bear, Cougar, Porcupine, Squirrels and other kinds of creatures in these mountains. At the higher elevations, light green, whispy moss hangs from the branches of the evergreens. - JDJ Photo

Beautiful flowers like these wild lilies are common in these mountains. - JDJ Photo

Approaching the treeline near the summit of 11,580 foot Lookout Mountain. - JDJ Photo

Sierra Blanca Peak as seen from Lookout Mountain SummitJDJ Photo

Looking down into the "Three Rivers" area of the Wilderness. That is some of the most wild and rugged country I have explored in the lower 48. - JDJ Photo

Lookout Mountain as seen from the Sierra Blanca south ridge. JDJ Photo

Beautiful tundra flowers above the treeline - JDJ Photo

Going Up! - nearing the summit - JDJ Photo

The summit reminds me of the Scottish Highlands. Rolling green hills with erratic lichen covered boulders and matted grasses. JDJ Photo

9,957 foot Nogal Peak as seen from the summit of Sierra BlancaJDJ Photo

Author on Sierra Blanca Summit - JDJ Photo

JDJ Photo 

Amazing lichens growing on summit boulders - JDJ Photo

Looking North East from the summit - JDJ Photo

Classic "Banner Tree" or "Wind Timber". Notice how the prevailing winds aloft have shaped this tree. JDJ Photo 

That was a serious long ridge climb as seen from the slopes of Lookout MountainJDJ Photo

Approaching Lookout Mountain from the North. Notice the "Ski Apache" equipment and lift house near the summit. JDJ Photo

One last backward glance at Sierra Blanca before I descend the north side of Lookout mountain. JDJ Photo