Urraca Mesa

Urraca Mesa
The mesa as seen from Tooth Ridge
Highest point
Elevation8,594 ft (2,619 m) NAVD 88[1]
Coordinates36°24′49″N 104°59′53″W / 36.4136471°N 104.9980592°W / 36.4136471; -104.9980592[2]
Geography
Urraca Mesa is located in New Mexico
Urraca Mesa
Urraca Mesa
LocationColfax County, New Mexico, U.S.
Topo mapUSGS Coyote Mesa

Urraca Mesa is a large mesa located in Colfax County in northern New Mexico, U.S., on the property of Philmont Scout Ranch. It reaches an elevation of 8,594 feet (2,619 m).

Legends

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Urraca Mesa is considered haunted.[3] Legend has it that the mesa has a long history of mythical and supernatural associations, including that the Navajo believe the mesa is a gateway to the demon world.[citation needed] Many people claim to have had strange experiences on the mesa including being attacked by invisible forces. There are also rumored to be a number of ghosts including that of a Boy Scout who can never return to base camp, and of a Navajo shaman who protects the two remaining cat totems[4] on the mesa to keep the demons from escaping.

Another persistent legend is that the mesa is the site of a high number of lightning strikes, although in fact a map published by the Philmont GIS Department shows it receives relatively fewer strikes than many other high points on the ranch.[5]

At the foot of Urraca Mesa is Casa del Gavilan, a historic inn built in 1911 by John "Jack" Nairn in the Pueblo Revival style. Nairn was a renowned storyteller who is believed to have fostered legends about the mesa before his death.[6] The Casa del Gavilan Inn is visible from Philmont Scout Ranch tent city as an inexplicable white structure apparently suspended in mid-air below the mesa. At night lights can be seen emanating from the structure.

Name

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The name comes from the Spanish word for magpie reflecting ancient Native American legends that flying magpies once inhabited the mesa.

Flora and fauna

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The mesa is covered in ponderosa pine. Black bears, wild turkeys, deer and mountain lions are among its inhabitants. Also black-billed magpies may occasionally be seen levitating between trees although others may consider this them to simply be flying.

Topography

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Urraca Mesa is relatively flat with the exception of a protruding plateau, which contains a small intermittent spring at the base.

A nearly vertical cliff that makes up part of Urraca Mesa

References

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  1. ^ "Urraca Mesa, New Mexico". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
  2. ^ "Urraca Mesa". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2014-02-17.
  3. ^ Ghost, John (2020-03-11). "15 Scariest Places in New Mexico for Ghost-Spotting". When In Your State. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  4. ^ Bird, Fire (2021-08-02). "Cat Totem & Symbolism – The Spirit of Psychic Protection". AnimalTotem.com. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
  5. ^ Segler, Jeff; Steuver, Mary; Shaw, Daniel; Smith, Warren (2010). "Thunderstorms and Lightning". The Philmont Field Guide. Irving, Texas: Boy Scouts of America. p. 153.
  6. ^ "Casa del Gavilan". Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2010-12-14.