Hermit Peak

Hermit's Peak is a mountain in San Miguel County, in northern New Mexico, United States.

Looking South from Hermit's Peak, Pecos Wilderness, Santa Fe National Forest
Not to be confused with Hermit Mountain.
Hermit's Peak
Looking west from Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
Highest point
Elevation10,267 ft (3,129 m) NAVD 88[1]
Prominence1,040 ft (320 m)[2]
Coordinates35°44′39″N 105°24′54″W[3]
Geography
LocationSan Miguel County, New Mexico, U.S.
Parent rangeSangre de Cristo Mountains
Topo mapUSGS El Porvenir
Climbing
Easiest route9.5 mile trail from El Porvenir Trailhead

The peak is named for the Italian religious recluse Giovanni Maria de Agostini, who lived in a cave on a narrow ledge on the southeast side of the mountain about one hundred feet below the summit rim. The cave could only be reached by descending from above. The cave roof was too low to allow Agostini to stand erect. To help shut out the elements and to protect himself from the sheer drop below, Agostini built a rock wall round the mouth of the cave.[4] Agostini lived in the cave from August, 1863 to May, 1866.[5] His cave became the subject of pilgrimage by some devout New Mexicans, during his life and for a number of years after his death.[6]

The Peak is in the Santa Fe National Forest, and the trail to the peak is maintained by the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District. The trail to the top is approximately four miles from the El Porvenir Campground.

From El Porvenir, Hermit Peak's has rocky features that seem to form a man's face looking to the sky. Left to right, one sees a forehead, eye, nose, two lips, and a chin. The rugged trail to the top of the "nose" winds through the "eye." The view from the tip of the "nose" is said to include five states. There is a rock overhang known as "Hermit's Cave" on the "nose."

Literature

Hermit Peak is the location for Michael McGarrity's suspense novel Hermit's Peak.

References
  1. "Hermit". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  2. "Hermit's Peak, New Mexico". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  3. "Hermit's Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  4. Thomas, David G. (2015). Giovanni Maria de Agostini, Wonder of the Century — The Astonishing World Traveler Who Was A Hermit. Doc45 Publications. p. 124. ISBN 978-0692247402.
  5. Thomas, David G. (2015). Giovanni Maria de Agostini, Wonder of the Century — The Astonishing World Traveler Who Was A Hermit. Doc45 Publications. pp. 123, 139. ISBN 978-0692247402.
  6. "The Las Vegas Hot Springs". Harpers Weekly. June 28, 1890.


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