Ramah

Established in 1876, Ramah was one of fifty locations in the New Mexico Territory settled, under the direction of Brigham Young, by Mormon pioneers and is one of only three that remain today. Ramah was originally settled for the purpose of missionary work to be carried out within the Zuni and Navajo communities. Many of the original stone houses are still standing and are a testament to the hard work and skill of Ramah’s early founders. One such building has been restored and preserved as a museum to display the heritage of the valley’s past.

Ramah Lake was built by these same pioneers in order to farm the surrounding area, which receives moderate rainfall on a yearly basis. The lake relies on snowfall and spring runoff to sustain its water levels. This trait is shared by many areas in the state of New Mexico. In recent years, due to drought, the lake had dried up; the town irrigation committee used this low water level to make improvements including dredging a large amount of silt buildup and reinforcing the dam, allowing water to be used more efficiently. Modernization in irrigation has allowed water to be used more effectively.

Lying at 6926 feet above sea level, Ramah is considered by some as a high desert, but at higher elevations it includes tall pines, sandstone cliffs, and timber covered mountains. Much of the lower landscape in the surrounding area is covered with lava flows from the chain of volcanos to the south. Intermixed in the scenery are ruins of an ancient people who dotted the land.

The Ramah Lake hiking trails and the neighboring El Morro, El Calderon, and El Malpais National Monuments offer hikers beautiful views of colorful sandstone cliffs and sprawling vistas, as well as a glimpse into the past life of the ancient people who built their stone structures and lived on the land.