Unit 17 is a monster—1.56 million acres encompassing the Magdalena Mountains and the San Mateo Mountains west of Socorro. Elevations range from 5,500 feet on the rolling desert prairie to 10,783 feet on South Baldy in the Magdalenas, with Mount Withington topping out at 10,127 feet in the San Mateos. The lowlands are flat to gently rolling grassland and sage; the mountains are cliffs, rimrock-edged mesas, and steep slopes choked with dense brush and timber. The Apache Kid Wilderness in the San Mateos is exceptionally rugged—boulder fields, broken terrain, and brush so thick you cannot see an elk at 20 yards. It's the kind of place that breaks trekking poles and spirits in equal measure. Cibola NF covers the mountain cores, with extensive BLM and state trust on the surrounding plains and scattered private ranches. US 60 runs east-west through the middle, and NM 107 accesses the Magdalena Mountains though "road" is a generous description. Magdalena and Socorro have fuel and supplies. Cell service works in Socorro and along US 60 and dissapears in the mountains. This unit demands serious physical conditioning—the rut hunts in the San Mateos are legendary, but the country is genuinely punishing. Water is scarce outside the high country, and you should plan for self-rescue capability because cell towers are a distant memory up there. A monster unit — 1.56 million acres encompassing the Magdalena and San Mateo Mountains. The Apache Kid Wilderness in the San Mateos is exceptionally rugged — boulder fields, broken terrain, brush so thick you can't see an elk at 20 yards. Some sources describe this as a primitive weapons unit for certain seasons. The Magdalena Mountains on the east side are more accessible from US 60. Magdalena is the main staging town. This unit consistently produces quality elk and is part of the central NM trophy belt.