The northern half of the Unit 51 area, north of US 84, in the foothills between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras. Elevations 6,500 to 8,500-plus feet. Rolling mesa and foothill country with PJ at lower elevations transitioning through ponderosa and oak brush into fir and aspen forests with grassy meadows up high. Moderately rugged, with the steepest ground along drainages and canyon rims where you need to watch your footing. Carson NF, BLM, state trust, and private ranches, with some land-grant parcels. US 64 and US 285 provide paved access; forest and county roads branch into the backcountry. Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla have fuel and very basic supplies; Taos and Chama have fuller services. Cell service works along US 64 but disappears off-highway. Good elk and mule deer country with enough road access to support truck-based hunting—you don't need a guide outfit or pack string to be competitive here. Early-fall weather is pleasant, but the area sits above 7,000 feet and can recieve snow by mid-October, so have a Plan B for your camp access. Largely public land with good elk numbers and strong trophy potential on bulls. Eastern portion of the Jemez/Chama area. Good public access throughout the unit. Known as a solid draw for public land elk hunters who want quality animals without the brutal wilderness pack-in of units like 43.