Area Location
Nestled against the stunning Glorieta Mesa in northern New Mexico, homesites at The Cliffs enjoy dramatic views and a shaded, sheltered environment. A site of historic and geologic significance, towering trees and varied elevations offer residents an expansive living experience. Oriented to the Pecos River Valley, the area has played a long and significant role in the prehistory, history, and archeology of the American Southwest.
This quartz based mesa rises over 8000 feet in elevation, extends miles to the south, and is thought to be one of the larger mesa structures in the country. A primarily woodland environment, The Cliffs has lovely stands of piñon-juniper and ponderosa pine, and Gambel’s oak, interspersed with upland sagebrush and wildflower meadows. Elk, coyote, turkey, deer, bear, mountain lion, and bobcat freely roam, while eagle, raven, owl, hawk and songbirds circle above.
Homesites have views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range and Glorieta Pass to the northwest, Pecos Pueblo to the southeast, and 300˚ views of Santa Fe National Forest including Truchas Peak, the second highest point in the state. The Sangre de Cristos form the southern start of the Rocky Mountains, that snake north all the way to Canada.
Located just twenty minutes from the cultural mecca of Santa Fe, and within a short drive of several charming villages, The Cliffs at Crystal Mesa offers residents immersion in nature without isolation.
Santa Fe 
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, was originally founded as a Spanish colony in 1607. The oldest European settlement in the American West, Santa Fe is the second oldest city in the United States. Renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture, Santa Fe has at its heart its traditional Plaza. The surrounding historic district’s crooked streets wind past charming and colorful adobe landmarks.
Today, with a population of 85,000, Santa Fe is appreciated as a sophisticated art milieu and overall cultural destination that spans traditional to contemporary. In 2005, Santa Fe became the first US city to be chosen by UNESCO as a Creative City, and is one of only nine cities in the world to hold this designation. This creativity is the cornerstone of the community and a core value for most local businesses. Long established museums and galleries play counterpoint to dozens of international art, music, film, dance and food festivals.
Santa Fe’s award-winning Farmers Market operates year round, offering produce, baked goods, flowers and seedlings, soaps, candles, herbal tinctures, weavings and other artisan goods from surrounding local farms and communities. Hundreds of restaurants range from fine dining to diner. Historically recognized as a world class confluence of cuisines, the restaurant scene has recently experienced a new wave of recognition as establishments showcase farm-to-table craft foods and beverages.
Pecos Wilderness Area
The Pecos Wilderness is a hidden gem, considered by many to be one of the premier backpacking destinations in New Mexico — and perhaps all of the West. More than 400 miles of trails wind in and out of deep canyons, along rugged mesa tops, around 100 foot waterfalls, and through wildflower meadows within this 223,667 acre sweet spot of the Sangre de Cristo Range, which form the base of the Rocky Mountains that continue all the way to Canada.
The higher altitudes of this mountainous region offer a welcome change from surrounding area deserts and brush lands. Truchas Peak, the state’s second highest peak, climbs to 13,103 feet. Heavily forested slopes of spruce, fir, pine and aspen provide for a rich wildlife environment. Elk, deer, coyotes, bear, turkey, squirrels, beavers, and one of America’s healthiest herds of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, can be found in the Pecos region. Deep lakes and 150 miles of streams offer sparkling scenery and first-rate fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, and the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, New Mexico’s state fish.
With many easily accessible entry points, including Pecos River access just 15 minutes from The Cliffs, this lovely wilderness provides a myriad of recreation opportunities, while the large size of the area supports solitude in nature. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, fly-fishing, backpacking, horseback riding, camping, and more!
Pecos Pueblo in Pecos National Historical Park
A few minutes from The Cliffs, the remains of what was once the largest Indian pueblo in the Southwest is preserved by Pecos National Historic Park. The Park tells the story of thousands of years of rich history, and invites contemplation about where our civilization comes from and where it is going.
Pecos holds 12,000 years of history, beginning with a prehistoric Southwest people, and including two Spanish Colonial Missions, Santa Fe Trail sites, and the site of the Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass. The area’s recorded history began sometime around the year 800, when Pueblo settlers in the Rio Grande Valley moved into the upper Pecos Valley to form scattered hamlets. Three hundred years later, Pueblo Indians spread eastward over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and settled in villages.
The Pecos (Cicuye) Pueblo dominated a major trading route between the farming Pueblo Indians and Great Plains’ hunters. The Pueblo was also a way station on the Santa Fe Trail. At its largest, it is thought more than 2000 people inhabited the five storied Pueblo. Containing numerous ceremonial chambers (kivas), the Pueblo was built around a central plaza on a rocky ridge. Settlers of the Pecos Pueblo are believed to have traveled to the top of Glorieta Mesa for ceremonial and other activities.
Surrounding New Mexico Highlights
The Cliffs is within an easy day trip for exploring some of the Southwest’s most iconic towns, cultural centers and art meccas including Taos, Albuquerque and Georgia O’Keefe’s Ghost Ranch at Abiquiú. In addition to the opportunities available in Pecos Wilderness, other nearby outdoor experiences include soaking in natural hot springs, white water river rafting, exploring White Sands national park, and downhill skiing at the nearby Santa Fe ski mountain. The area has a rich spiritual heritage, with historic churches and significant temples of many eastern and western faiths.
