The coyotes started howling just as we crested the hill on this warm, sunny afternoon at the new Cerrillos Hills State Park south of Santa Fe.

But it was the panoramic views that captured our attention as the pack yipped and howled in what sounded like the next draw over.

Views that stretched for miles took in snow-capped mountain ranges, mesas and rolling piñon-and-juniper-studded hills.

Here the ground was warm and dry, the trails clear and well-maintained and the silence deafening.

"It's one of the best things about this place," says Sarah Wood, manager of the state's newest park, located outside the historic mining town of Cerrillos, just 25 miles south of Santa Fe off N.M. 14. "We've got five miles of good trails, great winter hiking and incredible views."

The New Mexico State Parks Division of the state Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department took over management of the park from Santa Fe County in August.

Many of the state's 36 state parks administer public lands for other agencies and generate much of their operating funds through user fees.

Much of Cerrillos Hills State Park's existing trails, interpretive signs, a restroom and other features were already in place due primarily to the volunteer efforts of the Cerrillos Hills Park Coalition, along with assistance from the county. The park has been open to the public since 2003.

Granted some $1.4 million in legislative appropriations in recent years, State Parks acquired a .67-acre parcel of land in downtown Cerrillos for $672,000 where it plans to build a community and visitor center, according to Marti Niman, spokesman for New Mexico State Parks.

Construction plans were put on hold after Gov. Bill Richardson ordered a freeze on all capital-outlay projects while he and the Legislature work on a fix for the state's $650 million budget shortfall. State Parks was able to renovate a house on the land for use as an office.

During a recent visit, Wood said she hoped the park would draw more visitors to the old mining town and boost economic development for the rural area.

"We already get quite a few visitors," she says, "but we're seeing even more mountain bikers, hikers and horseback riders as the word gets out."

Wood noted that she spends a lot of time now notifying visitors that a $5 day use fee is required to utilize the park. It had been free before. A yearly pass can be purchased for $40 at the office or by mail.

The park has recently played host to astronomy evenings, nature tours and other events to draw visitors and will conduct even more activities in the future, Wood said.

Wood, 47, of Los Alamos, has been with State Parks for eight years. She holds a master's degree in biology from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces and a bachelor's degree in biology from The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Wood previously was northwest and northeast regional educational coordinator for State Parks, overseeing educational and interpretive programs including star parties, wildlife tracking, plant and fauna identification, and history programs for school groups and the public.

This is her first posting as a state park manager.

Along many of the trails, visitors will find numerous sealed mines, most with interpretive signs providing information about the region during its heyday.

Cerrillos was once bustling with hotels, saloons and other businesses patronized by those who mined the hills during the 1800s for gold, silver, turquoise, zinc and lead.

But today one finds mostly dusty streets, boarded-up store fronts and plenty of roaming dogs.

However, upon closer inspection, visitors to Cerrillos will find that some diehard businesses remain, including the fun and informative Casa Grande Petting Zoo and Turquoise Mining Museum, an intriguing What Not Shop, and Mary's Bar, a classic New Mexico drinking establishment.

The town also boasts a wonderful old church, some galleries and plenty of Old West atmosphere, the likes of which drew movie makers to the rural community to make films such as Young Guns and Young Guns II.

Broken Saddle Riding Co. offers horseback rides into the park and surrounding public lands.

Cerrillos lacks a restaurant but food and drink can be had in the funky little town of Madrid, just three miles down the road from Cerrillos, where one can eat, drink and shop.

Karl F. Moffat, a longtime New Mexico journalist and avid outdoorsman, can be contacted through his blog at www.outdoorsnewmexico.com">www.outdoorsnewmexico.com.

GETTING THERE

Those traveling out to Cerrillos Hills Park can make a round-trip adventure of it by taking I-25 south to exit 267 at the top of La Bajada Hill, just past the rest area.

Go under the highway and then head straight for the mountains on County Road 57, also known as Waldo Canyon Road.

This paved road turns to dirt after about a mile and one might see the Rail Runner train along the way. About six miles later one comes upon the old railroad siding of Waldo, where the remains of massive coke furnaces can be seen near the tracks. The stop offers the shade of several aging cottonwood trees and ruins of old buildings. Amtrak and freight trains still operate on these tracks, trespassing is prohibited and caution is advised.

The road then cuts through a narrow, twisty gorge and eventually comes out at Cerrillos where one takes a left onto County Road 59, which leads up past the village cemetery to the Cerrillos Hills State Park kiosk. The office is in downtown Cerrillos on Main Street.

Upon leaving town, visitors can head back to Santa Fe through Cerrillos on N.M. 14 and take County Road 45, also known as Bonanza Creek Road, just outside of Lone Butte, for a scenic side trip into the foothills and past the Bonanza Creek movie ranch where from the road visitors can sometimes see movie sets. Stay on County Road 45 to the frontage road at I-25 and follow it north back to N.M.14 and on into Santa Fe.