Victorio Peak rises from the Hembrillo Basin in southern New Mexico and is closely associated with Chief Victorio, whose forces used the area as a hideout. In 1880, Chiricahua and Mescalero Apache fighters under Victorio battled elements of the U.S. Army’s Sixth and Ninth Cavalry there, pinning down a small American force before withdrawing when larger Army units arrived. The peak’s steep, layered terrain helped make the area defensible during the fighting. Its name was later confused as “Victoria Peak,” but research restored its link to Victorio. In 1933, reported discoveries of gold and artifacts inside the mountain gave rise to a long-lasting treasure legend.