Montezuma National Forest, Colorado (1939‪)‬

Montezuma was the ninth king of Mexico and a powerful general of the Aztec tribes. When Hernando Cortez conquered Mexico in the early part of the sixteenth century, Montezuma was the dominant war chief of the Western Hemisphere and was held in fear by other tribes. He tried, however, to avoid war with the Spaniards and welcomed them to the capitol. Cortez, having thus obtained an advantage, held Montezuma and the city captive. In the succeeding battles, Montezuma was killed by his own people.

The name has retained historically romantic significance and occurs frequently throughout the Southwest. It is appropriate for this forest where most of the names and many of the customs are of Spanish origin.

The topography of the forest varies from the extremely rugged San Miguel Range in the north and the rough but slightly lower La Plata Range on the east, to the high mesas of the southwestern part. The Dolores River flows southwest through the eastern part of the forest. Near the town of Dolores the river makes an abrupt turn to the north, and the west boundary of the forest follows to a greater or less degree the Dolores River Valley. Throughout the forest innumerable streams and canyons lead down from the San Miguel and La Plata Ranges and the Dolores Plateau.

The San Miguel Range extends westward through the north end of the forest. Lizard Head Peak (13,156 feet), Sunshine Mountain, Lone Cone, Wilson, and Dolores Peaks, and Mount Wilson (14,250 feet) are outstanding topographical features.