Stop 7: Valle Santa Rosa

Valle Santa Rosa

NPS/Victoria Prieto Ruarte

Quick Facts

Amenities

6 listed

Parking - Auto, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Wheelchair Accessible

The formations we are going to look at now point to Spanish occupation during the 16th-18th centuries. In front of you, you have Valle Santa Rosa and Cerro San Luis.  It is uncertain when these names were given to the various geographical features, but it is certain that the names we use today were given by the Spanish.

During conquests, Spanish colonists frequently assigned new place names after patron saints or religious figures. The name Valle Santa Rosa is a direct reference to Spanish colonization in the Americas. The name Santa Rosa commemorates the first patron saint to be canonized in the western hemisphere. Santa Rosa, or St. Rose, is the patron saint of all Spanish territory in the Americas or “Latin America.” The history of Santa Rosa is intrinsically tied to the development of Spanish missions all over the Americas. The first time we see Valle Santa Rosa appear on a map is in 1892.

Cerro San Luis means “Saint Louis Hill or Mountain.” Like Santa Rosa, this name derives from the period of Spanish colonization in the Jemez Mountains. The name San Luis is a Hispanicization of Saint Louis. Many locations in New Mexico specifically commemorate St. Louis IX, King of France. He was reared in Spain and became the patron saint of the 17th century Pueblo of Sevilleta in New Mexico. 

To the north, we find Cerro De La Garita.  If you’ve ever hiked to the top of Garita Trail at Valles Caldera, you would completely understand why this name is so clever. Cerro De La Garita is Spanish for “Watchtower Hill” or “Look Out Hill.” Garita specifically refers to military defense towers. 

It is only natural that you can see all of Valles Caldera National Preserve from the top of this cerro.