by Ruth Bush Jones[3]
Today, as in earlier times, people of New Mexico look to their mountains
with a new and greater appreciation of their forest land heritage.
Today, also, people seek aesthetic values of peace, beauty, and serenity
found in nature’s solitudes, in addition to forest products for economic
use. Basic to the enjoyment of the high country are the forest treasures
of clear, pure water ... of wild game and birds ... of trees for shade
and solitude, fuel, shelter, and forest products ... of grass and browse
for cattle, sheep, horses, and wildlife ... of magnificent grandeur and
panoramic vistas. These basic treasures coupled with understanding of
the purposes and many benefits of the National Forests bring true
recreation to the visitor.
The high country of New Mexico, much of it in the National Forests, is
entrusted by law to the care and administration of the U.S. Forest
Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture. These vast public
properties located in several sections of the state are administered as
Carson, Santa Fe, Cibola, Lincoln, Gila, Apache, and Coronado National
Forests, the latter two lying primarily in Arizona and being directed
from there rather than from New Mexico. Visitors to New Mexico traveling
along main highways see the high forest country outlining the horizon
and often regard the lofty masses of rugged rock as unapproachable and
lacking in friendliness.
“Not so,” says the Forest Ranger. There are broad highways welcoming the
traveler into the high country where forest trees stretch to the sky.
There are cool invigorating streams sparkling clear and clean from
mountain fastnesses and developed campgrounds and picnic areas ready for
use. Outdoor recreation from simple relaxing and picnicking under a pine
tree to the most strenuous of wilderness backpacking or horseback
riding, winter sports, and skiing awaits the visitor. There is fishing
in mountain streams and in big open lakes or in precious, secluded
mountain lakes. And for those who like their surroundings interpreted
for them, there are nature trails and/or forest naturalists to explain
local rock formations, vegetation, and the natural and human history of
the immediate country.
The Forest Ranger asks only that each visitor do his share in cleaning
up a camp or picnic site and being _sure_ that camp fires, matches, and
cigarettes are thoroughly extinguished: “Keep Your National Forest Green
and Clean!”