South Mountain

The view from the top of South Mountain.

NPS/Adam Dean

For many visitors, South Mountain is a popular hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing destination. It is also a daily migration corridor for wildlife. Large herds of elk often gather at the base of South Mountain in the mornings and evenings to graze. American kestrels, bluebirds, and a variety of hawks are frequently seen flying between Cerro La Jara and South Mountain. The South Mountain Trail offers opportunities to take in views of montane grasslands and forested slopes before arriving near South Mountain's summit.