Rabbit Ear Mountain is part of the iconic landscape visible from the Town of Clayton. The hills are remnants of volcanoes and part of the larger Raton-Clayton Volcanic Field. The mountain is named for the great Cheyenne Chief, Orejo de Conejos who was killed in a bloody battle with the Spanish settlers in 1717 and buried there. Rabbit Ear Mountain is a landmark of the Cimarron Cutoff of the second route of the Santa Fe Trail charted in 1822 to create a flatter and faster route than the Raton Pass provided, and is part of the Clayton Complex National Historic Landmark (NHL) for its importance in guiding travelers across the plains.
Clayton, NM
