River of Spirits: A Natural History of New Mexico's Las Animas Creek

by Harley G. Shaw (Editor), Matilde Holzwarth (Photographer), Todd Wilkinson (Foreword by)

Overview

Originating high in New Mexico's mysterious Black Range and flowing to the Rio Grande amid contorted, ghost-like sycamores, Las Animas Creek remains one of the least accessible landscapes in the nation. The watershed is best known as the site of Apache chief Victorio's last major battle with the U.S. Cavalry before his retreat and ultimate defeat by the Mexican army. Despite its geographic isolation, the watershed remains closely linked with the history of nearby Kingston, Hillsboro and Caballo. Once home to New Mexico's last grizzly, Las Animas sustains a diverse range of native plants and wild animals, including bison, prairie dogs and mountain lions, as well as a host of endangered species. Aldo Leopold Wilderness and Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch ensure it remains Rio de las Animas, the "River of Spirits." Wildlife research biologist Harley G. Shaw compiles a human and natural history of this remote ecosystem.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439660171
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	03/13/2017
Series:	Natural History
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Harley Shaw has served as a wildlife research biologist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department from 1963 to 1990. Since retiring, he has published three books: Soul Among Lions, Stalking the Big Bird and 1200 Miles by Horse and Burro. He is the managing editor of the Wild Felid Monitor and edits Guajalotes, Zopilotes, y Paisanos--the newsletter of Hillsboro Historical Society. He lives in Hillsboro, New Mexico, within an easy drive of Las Animas Creek and Ladder Ranch.

Table of Contents

Foreword Todd Wilkinson 9

Preface 13

Acknowledgements 19

Introduction 21

1 Forming the Landscape 27

2 Before Columbus and Coronado: The Mimbres 33

3 The Athapascans 45

4 The Battle of Massacre Canyon 49

5 After the Apaches 53

6 Homesteading Las Animas 61

7 Goat Ranching 77

8 Becoming the Ladder Ranch 83

9 Conservation Ranching 91

10 Wilderness Adventures 97

11 A 1909 Pack Trip 99

12 Forestry Begins 107

13 Working the Animas: The First Timber Survey 109

14 Fighting Fire with Aldo Leopold 119

15 Science and Conservation 125

16 A Shell Hunt in the Black Range, 1915 127

17 The Mysterious Sycamore 131

18 Mountain Lion Studies 139

19 A Day (and Night) in the Upper Animas 141

20 Animas Mountain Lion Pursuit 147

21 Restoring the Pieces 165

Epilogue. Las Animas Future 175

Notes 179

Bibliography 185

Index 195

About the Authors 203