History of the program

The BLM has been offering

guided hikes for a number of years, beginning with La Vista Verde Trail and expanding to

include other parts of the Rio Grande del Norte Monument. “These guided hikes are an opportunity to educate the

public both locals and visitors on the many resources of the land and get an introduction to the unique landscape that led Congress and the President to designate the area as a monument,” says

Roch.

The monument was designated in 2013 and covers more

than 242,000 acres of land. Elevations vary from 6,000 feet near the rivers to a high

point of 10,093 feet at the top of Ute Mountain. Since prehistoric times, humans have lived and traveled through the land.