Big Hatchet Peak

Infobox Mountain
Name = Big Hatchet Peak
Photo = Big-hatchet-peak.jpg
Caption = Big Hatchet Peak viewed from the access road
Elevation = convert|8356|ft|m|0
Location = Hidalgo County, New Mexico, USA
Range = Big Hatchet Mountains
Prominence = convert|3714|ft|m|0
Coordinates = coord|31|38|07|N|108|23|56|W|type:mountain_region:US|display=inline
Topographic
USGS Big Hatchet Peak
Type = | Age =
First ascent = | Easiest route= Hike

Big Hatchet Peak is the high point of the Big Hatchet Mountains, a small but rugged range in the southwest corner (the "Bootheel") of New Mexico, in the United States. The mountains are located in Hidalgo County, about 50 mi (80 km) southwest of Deming. The range runs roughly northwest-southeast, and is about 12 mi (20 km) long; the southeastern edge of the range is within 5 mi (8 km) of the border with Mexico. They lie primarily on BLM land.

The peak rises steeply out of the Playas Valley, to the west, and the Hatchita Valley, to the east of the range. The summit stands about 4,000 feet above the valley floors. Also, the north and west faces of the peak are particularly steep, making for an impressive mountain. There are a few other minor summits in this small range, but none are named.

Geologically this range is part of the Basin and Range Province which spans much of the southwestern U.S. and parts of northern Mexico. It is a fault-block range made up of Paleozoic limestone and Cretaceous shale and sandstones.Butterfield, Mike, and Greene, Peter, "Mike Butterfield's Guide to the Mountains of New Mexico", New Mexico Magazine Press, 2006, ISBN 978-0-937206-88-1]

Ecologically, the Big Hatchet Mountains lie near the Chihuahuan Desert and the Sonoran Desert, but their large relief provides many ecological niches more in keeping with the mountains to the north. Notable inhabitants include bats, raptors, bighorn sheep, and javelina.

The Big Hatchet Mountains are far from population centers, and have no paved road access or developed recreation sites; they therefore see little recreational activity. However the standard route on the peak, along the South Ridge from Thompson Canyon, is straightforward.

References

External links

* [http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153504/big-hatchet-peak.html Big Hatchet Peak at summitpost.org] (Climbing info, pictures)
* [http://www.nmwild.org/places/sky/bighatchet Greater Big Hatchet Complex] on nmwild.org
* [http://www.peaklist.org/spire/lists/nm-50.html A list of NM peaks by local relief and steepness] showing Big Hatchet as the state #1