Page 6 Tuesday, June 25, 2019 The Chronicle-News Trinidad, Colorado

Northeastern New Mexico offers excellent outdoor adventures Catherine J. Moser Refuge, the white-tailed and mule Features Editor deer populations are growing The Chronicle-News on the Refuge and may, at some point in the future, require man- agement. Interested individuals If you’re looking for some great should check at the Refuge office family-friendly outdoor summer on the current status of hunting activities it’s nice to know that on the refuge. you need not look any further n than your own backyard. The Santa Rosa Lake northeastern area of New Mexico State Park in the state that’s known as the Santa Rosa Lake State Park, a Land of Enchantment has every- high plains Pecos River reservoir, thing there is to offer that will offers a variety of water sports. please any sport enthusiast. Anglers often catch bass, catfish, So, go ahead — gather up the and walleye. kids and get out there! You don’t n Storrie Lake State Park want to miss a minute of all that New Mexico has waiting for you Favorable summer breezes at- do and see. tract colorful wind-surfing boards to Storrie Lake State Park, which is also popular for fishing and NM STATE PARKS AND boating. The visitor center fea- WILDLIFE AREAS tures historical exhibits about the Santa Fe Trail and 19th century n CIMARRON CANYON Las Vegas. STATE PARK Attractions: Set in New n Sumner Lake State Park Mexico’s high country, where Sumner Lake State Park offers spectacular palisade cliffs and fishing for a variety of species, in- clear running waters dominate Photography by Pixabay cluding bass, crappie, channel cat- the landscape, Cimarron Canyon fish and the most abundant spe- State Park is part of the 33,116-acre Hiking Trail, Swimming Beach, Phone: 575-445-5607. Reservations: feeding, and wintering area for cies--walleye. The lake is a winter Colin Neblett Wildlife Area -- the Boating Launch Ramps, Camping 877-664-7787. migrating geese. haven for migrating waterfowl. largest wildlife area in the state. Primitive and Winter Activities. Other areas of interest to see n Maxwell National n Ute Lake State Park Fishing: Clayton Lake State Park is in Northeastern New Mexico The cool, high moun- Wildlife Refuge tain park offers excellent trout located at 141 Clayton Lake Rd. include: Ute Lake State Park, a Cana- Clayton, New Mexico 88415. Located in the high central dian River reservoir, offers some fishing. Anglers can fish eight n Conchas Lake miles of premier brown trout wa- Phone: 505-374-8808. Reserva- plains of northeastern New Mex- of the best walleye fishing in New State Park ters for stocked browns or rain- tions: 877-664-7787 ico, Maxwell National Wildlife Mexico. Anglers can also try their Conchas Lake State Park offers Refuge was established in 1965 luck for bass, crappie, and catfish. bows. Smaller trout and solitude n SUGARITE CANYON a wide variety of water sport ac- as a feeding and resting area for can be found in the Cimarron Riv- STATE PARK n Villanueva State Park er’s tributaries -- Clear Creek and tivities including boating, fishing migratory birds. Over 350 acres Attractions: Take a Walk Nestled between high red sand- Tolby Creek. and water-skiing at this refresh- of the Refuge are planted with stone bluffs along the Pecos River, Nature: Elk, deer, bear, turkey Through History: The Coal Camp ing, 25-mile long reservoir. wheat, corn, barley, and alfalfa to near the picturesque Spanish- and grouse attract hunters in the Interpretive Trail winds through provide food for resident and mi- n Coyote Creek colonial village of Villanueva, lies fall and winter. Wildlife viewing the ruins of the Sugarite coal gratory wildlife. State Park Villanueva State Park. is plentiful as songbirds, elk, deer, camp. Coal mining in the area n Morphy Lake State Park For more information on any bear, turkey and grouse call the provided an important economic Coyote Creek State Park is nes- While no hunting of any spe- New Mexico State Park go to park home. boost to the region and state. The tled in the Sangre de Cristo Moun- cies is currently allowed on the https://www.stateparks.com. Cimarron Canyon State Park visitor center provides informa- tains along a meandering stream. is located at 28869 Highway 64, tion about the coal camp and the Enclosed by a forest of spruce and Eagle Nest, New Mexico 87718. area’s history. pine, the small valley displays Phone: 505-377-6271. Reservations: Captivating Caprock: An abundant wildflowers and beau- 877-664-7787. extended cliff of basaltic rock col- tiful fall foliage. The park is ideal umns, often referred to as “cap- for fishing, family camping and n CLAYTON LAKE rock” is the dominant geologic fea- leisurely nature walks. STATE PARK ture at the park. About 12 million n Set among rolling grasslands, years ago, broad sheets of molten Las Vegas National Clayton Lake State Park offers lava erupted from a nearby volca- Wildlife Refuge excellent trout, catfish and bass no, forming layers of basalt rock With the Rocky Mountains to fishing. Walk a half-mile to the 10-100 feet thick. Rock climbing is the west, the Great Plains to the lake’s spillway and see the inter- allowed on the caprock. east, and the Chihuahuan Desert nationally significant dinosaur To get to Sugarite Canyon State to the south, Las Vegas National trackway, containing more than Park, take I-25 exit 452 at Raton, Wildlife Refuge encompasses a di- 500 footprints dating back more follow NM 72 east for 3.5 miles, versity of habitats. Located along than 100 million years. and go north on NM 526 for about the Central Flyway, the Refuge Activities: Day-Use Fishing, two miles to the visitor center. provides an important resting,