Los Pinos River Valley

Los Pinos River Valley

Conserved Land: 2 easements, 135 acres

Description & History
The Rio de los Pinos River meanders along the Colorado/New Mexico border from high in the San Juan mountains in the west, through the Toltec Gorge to meet the San Antonio River in the east. Literally translated “The Pines” river, it runs through some of the most pristine, undisturbed pine forests in the country. Rio de los Pinos also supports extensive cottonwood forests and wetlands: native grass meadows and terraced flood plains are largely grasslands with mixed coniferous forest. Of the particular wildlife importance are the riparian meadows which support a large diversity of invertebrate, bird and mammal species, including a resident elk population. Deer and elk seek out riparian shrub-lands and wet meadows for their rich and nutritious grasses. Lower mountain streams are also important for a variety of cold-water fish. Open water areas such as beaver ponds provide nesting, feeding, and resting habitat for migrating water birds. Small mammals such as meadow voles, pocket gophers, field mice, shrews, mink, and ground squirrels may use riparian woodlands that are seasonally wet. Bobcat, black bear, mountain lion, raccoons and coyote inhabit the area. Species of birds include wild turkey, great horned owl, golden eagles, woodpeckers, mallards and others.

The Santa Fe Conservation Trust is not alone in wishing to preserve this area: the Rio Los Pinos Wildlife Area, Cruces Basin Wilderness Area, and the Carson National Forest all protect portions of the river valley; but many gaps remain to be filled. SFCT is working with several of the landowners in the area to place their properties under easement, encouraging sustainable agricultural and land stewardship practices so that the Los Pinos will remain available for the enjoyment of future generations. The Rio de los Pinos provides water for several communities down river including Los Pinos and San Miguel. Protecting the subject property from further development will supports the health of the watershed by maintaining rich riparian areas that reduce soil erosion and runoff and assist with groundwater recharge and infiltration. Protecting headwater areas such as this means more clean water for everyone downstream.

Sharing the river valley is the Cumbres/Toltec Scenic Railroad, a historic rail line built in 1880 for the silver mining towns in the San Juan; it still serves to carry people through this beautiful area on a strictly recreational level. The rail line runs along a ridge from Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico. It is the longest narrow-gauge railway in the United States, the entirety of which is designated a national Historic Site.

Nestled along the Rio de los Pinos is a five mile stretch that was homesteaded by Hispanic farmers and ranchers at the beginning of the twentieth century. It is now one of the last traditional Hispanic agricultural communities that were once so typical along the northern New Mexico tributaries of the Rio Grande.

For more information on the Los Pinos River Valley, please see:

Hispano Homesteaders by F. Harlan Flint

Upcoming Events

May
30
Fri
10:00 am Vámonos – Walk With Our Elders F... @ Bicentennial / Alto Park
Vámonos – Walk With Our Elders F... @ Bicentennial / Alto Park
May 30 @ 10:00 am
Vámonos - Walk With Our Elders Friday @ Bicentennial / Alto Park
2025 Friday Walk Dates May 30 – Friday @ 10amWalk With Our EldersBicentennial/Alto Park to SF River TrailMeet at 1121 Alto St/Behind MEG CenterHike Info: Easy; ADA JUNE 27 – Friday @ 10amWalk With Our[...]
May
31
Sat
9:00 am Vámonos – Saturday Hike @ Saturday Hikes Change Each Month!
Vámonos – Saturday Hike @ Saturday Hikes Change Each Month!
May 31 @ 9:00 am
Vámonos - Saturday Hike @ Saturday Hikes Change Each Month!
2025 Saturday Hike Dates May 31 – Saturday @ 9amVámonos Hike – Dovetail, A SFCT PropertyLearn about SFCT’s land restoration projectsMeet at 226 Thornton Ranch Road/Cottonwood THHike Info: Moderate; Dirt JUNE 21 – Saturday @[...]
Jun
4
Wed
5:30 pm Vámonos – Wednesday Wellness Walk @ Larragoite Park (Agua Fria Side)
Vámonos – Wednesday Wellness Walk @ Larragoite Park (Agua Fria Side)
Jun 4 @ 5:30 pm
Vámonos - Wednesday Wellness Walk @ Larragoite Park (Agua Fria Side)
2025 Wednesday Walk Dates May 21 – Wednesday @ 5:30pmWellness WalkAcequia Trail from Larragoite Park to Railyard ParkMeet at 1464 Cristobal ColonHike Info: Easy; ADA JUNE 4 – Wednesday @ 5:30pmWellness WalkAcequia Trail and Ashbaugh[...]
Jun
7
Sat
8:00 am Bullseye Monitoring Workshop @ Dovetail
Bullseye Monitoring Workshop @ Dovetail
Jun 7 @ 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Bullseye Monitoring Workshop @ Dovetail
A Collaborative Learning Workshop by Melissa Houser of Santa Fe Conservation Trust and Jan-Willem Jansens of Ecotone Landscape Planning, LLC. During this interactive workshop, participants will learn how to conduct a Bullseye Survey of a[...]
Jun
10
Tue
6:00 pm Vámonos – Take a Walk on the Sou... @ Southside Library
Vámonos – Take a Walk on the Sou... @ Southside Library
Jun 10 @ 6:00 pm
Vámonos - Take a Walk on the Southside @ Southside Library
2025 Tuesday Walk Dates May 6 – Tuesday @ 6pmTake a Walk on the South SideSouth Side Library to Tierra Contenta TrMeet at 6599 Jaguar DriveHike Info: Easy; ADA June 10 – Tuesday @ 6pmTake[...]

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