The Withington Wilderness is a 19,000-acre Wilderness area within the Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest. The Withington sits within the northern section and on the eastern slope of the San Mateo Mountains in Socorro County, New Mexico, United States. The Withington Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1980. The Withington Wilderness ranges from 6,800 feet to 10,100 feet atop Mount Withington. Mount Withington was named by Ernest Allen Clemens after Albert Lee Withington, President of the Cleveland Society for Savings. Miss Ruth Withington, daughter of her late father Albert Withington, was present at the decoration day, May 31, 1909. Miss Withington became the wife of Ernest Clemens a prominent rancher whose ranch, the AL Ranch, was located near the base of the mountain. The 8,039-acre White Cap Inventoried Roadless Area is directly adjacent to the Withington Wilderness. The Apache Kid Wilderness, also in the San Mateo Mountains, lies due south of the Withington Wilderness. To the north of the Withington Wilderness and San Mateo Mountains is the Very Large Arrayradio telescope observatory.
Plants & Wildlife
The topography in the northern San Mateo Mountains is gentler than that in the south, but still features deep canyons, high ridgelines and generally dry conditions. Winters are cold enough to bring snow, and during July and August, the desert "monsoon" season, rainwater may flood narrow canyons. The vegetation ranges from pine, spruce, and fir at high elevations to piñon and juniper farther down. Near the eastern boundary, at the lowest elevation in the Wilderness, ocotillo stands are found. Habitats in the Withington Wilderness support populations of mountain lion, black bear, elk, mule deer, coyote, turkey and quail. A portion of the Wilderness is critical habitat for the threatened Mexican spotted owl. The greater San Mateo Mountains were identified as a key conservation area by The Nature Conservancy due to their ecological diversity and species richness.
Recreation
Quiet recreation opportunities including hiking, backbacking, stargazing, hunting, and horseback-riding are ample in the Withington Wilderness. The wild scenery is spectacular, with dramatic views from the top of ridgelines and open canyons available for exploration. Two developed campgrounds, Bear Trap and Hughes Mills, are located just outside the Wilderness and the latter provides hiking access to Mount Withington.
