Alpine Ranger District
The Alpine District contains Escudilla and Bear Springs wildernesses, a portion of the Blue Range Primitive Area, and the East and West Forks of the Black River. With over 200 miles of trails in settings that range from high country forests to rocky desert canyons, the Alpine District offers hiking opportunities for just about any level of conditioning and any area of interest. These trails cover a variety of settings, including two wilderness areas, the nation's only National Forest Primitive Area, and a mountain river canyon known as one of the most scenic in the Southwest.

With all the trails you have to chose from on the Alpine District, you can put together just about any type of excursion that suits you. By far the best place to put together long backpack trips is in the Blue Range Primitive Area. Plenty of main trails and lots of connector trails make it possible to wander here for days without seeing the same place twice. This is especially true in the eastern reaches of the Blue where remoteness is high and visitation is low.

Permit Information

Directions
This geographical zone is accessed via US Highways 180 and 191.

Information Center
Information is available at the Alpine Ranger Station, (520) 339-4384.

Activities