Point of Rocks National Historic District is a narrow rocky-sloped mesa with a spring at its south base. Located on this ranch it affords visitors unspoiled, serene vistas of the Great Plains, Santa Fe Trail ruts, the grave of Isaac Allen who died in 1848 and 11 unmarked graves. This is a Certified Site of the Santa Fe Trail. Point of Rocks, with its vantage points and year-round spring, was a popular campsite for various Indian buffalo-hunting parties and SFT caravans traveling the Mountain Route. This place offered reliable cool spring water and rest which was critical to travels through this arid land. Located in Jicarilla Apache country, it was near here that the party of Santa Fe merchant J.W. White was attacked in 1849. Kit Carson was a member of the military party organized to rescue White's wife and daughter. Numerous teepee rings, unmarked graves and sweeping views of SFT ruts can be seen there. The site is on private land (Point of Rocks Ranch), but access is unrestricted. You can read additional information and history of the Santa Fe Trail and the Point of Rocks at santafetrail.org

RANCH WATER RESOURCES

The ranch has abundant water: 9 total wells including one solar powered pump, 2 wells with utility powered submersible pumps, 7 windmills, numerous dirt tanks, creeks that pond and two springs.

TERRAIN, GRASSES, CATTLE GRAZING, ELEVATION

The ranch consisting of 4,789.69 +/- deeded acres and 2,612.4 +/- State Lease acres is located in the excellent grazing country of Northeast New Mexico. Diverse topography and excellent grass provide for a better than average ranch for the area. Excellent Grama grass turf is the dominant vegetation on the ranch with few invasive species. Hogback butte rising to 7,069 feet dominates the landscape of the ranch. Black Jack, Goldmine and Youngblood canyons are all formed out of the butte. Ranch elevations off the butte range from 6,200 to 6,600 feet. Joe Cabin Arroyo traverses the ranch and converges with Holkeo Creek just outside the ranch boundary.

FENCING AND ROADS

The ranch has excellent to good fencing (including a considerable amount of new fencing) and has good access via three county maintained roads. Cross fencing provides for 5 pastures and 3 traps which provide access to pens located at the headquarters and also along county road 52 on the state lease land.

WILDLIFE

The ranch provides excellent habitat for pronghorn antelope, mule deer, elk and other wildlife. The owners have not applied for any elk permits in the past.

HEADQUARTERS-HOMES and BARN

The Headquarters of the ranch is situated at the base of the Point of Rocks Historical District. There are two homes, a metal frame barn and a functional set of cattle working pens. One of the homes has a rock exterior (2,000sqft), the second home has stucco exterior (2,300sqft) and both have metal roofing. If renovated, the homes would add to the natural beauty of the headquarter area. The metal frame barn is approximately 38X72, has concrete floors and electricity.

PENS AND BARNS

In addition to the functional set of cattle working pens at the headquarters, there are a nice set of wooden pens with some portable panels and pipe railing, manual cattle scales, wood frame barn with metal roof, Quonset barn and various other out buildings all located on the State Lease Land along the Santa Fe Trail-Point of Rocks road.