Lore
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Urraca Mesa, a large flat-topped landform on Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico, rises 8,594 feet and is known for its broad summit, pine cover, wildlife, and strong local folklore. Its name comes from the Spanish word for magpie, echoing older Native American legends tied to the mesa. Stories long cast it as a haunted place of supernatural forces, ghosts, and guarded cat totems, while another legend claims it draws exceptional lightning, despite ranch mapping showing fewer strikes than many nearby high points. At its base stands Casa del Gavilan, a 1911 Pueblo Revival inn whose builder, John "Jack" Nairn, is widely believed to have helped spread these enduring tales.
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New Mexico · United States
