This area continues from the lower eastern part of Arizona and crosses into New Mexico in a southeastern direction through the small portion in the southwestern area of New Mexico, and area which consists of rugged mountain ranges and valleys. Most of these mountains are located within the Gila National Forest.

A second, smaller area of the ecoregion is located to the east in the south central part of the state and is separated from the western portion by a large basin known as the Tularosa valley.

Homelands of Mescalero-Chiricahua tribe of the Athabascan speaking people.