Public Use
Much of the range is federal land, including Santa Fe National Forest, Bandelier National Monument, and the Valles Caldera National Preserve. State lands include Fenton Lake State Park at 35°52′58″N 106°43′46″W / 35.88278°N 106.72944°W / 35.88278; -106.72944 in Sandoval County. Hiking trails crisscross the range and lead to many of the summits, although some regions are closed to hikers either because of environmental restrictions or because they are on the territory of Santa Clara Pueblo or private land holders. (Access to pueblo lands is available by permit.) The summits are generally easy to climb (in good weather) and require no technical-climbing skills, but rock climbing is popular on some of the basalt cliffs near Los Alamos and elsewhere in the range (see Los Alamos and Caja del Rio). The mountains also are home to Pajarito Mountain, a small downhill ski area and offer some opportunities for cross country skiing, although not every winter produces enough snow to support this recreational activity. The region is prone to forest fires because of the tendency for spring weather to be dry and windy, creating conditions under which fires caused by human activities or lightning can spread rapidly. The Las Conchas Fire in the year 2011 was the most recent large wildfire. Parts of Los Alamos National Laboratory were also damaged, although none of the laboratory's special nuclear materials (plutonium, uranium, etc.) were threatened or released.
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