Your Guide to Mountain Life
A look inside the new Mountain Monthly—with a few stories to explore
Dear Readers,
We want to share a quick update on Mountain Monthly and this new chapter in the 37-year-old newspaper’s history.
Starting with the November 2025 issue, the new Mountain Monthly sharpened its focus as a visitor guide to help tourists discover all the charms of the Cloudcroft area.
For visitors, it offers an invitation to explore—along with a handy map and guide.
For locals, it’s a celebration of the mountain life we love—the trails, the people, the events, the adventures, and the moments that make living here unlike anywhere else.
The Monthly will showcase the four seasons of life in the mountains, because every season here has a story to tell.
As a print publication, the Monthly is accessible, engaging, colorful, and fun to read. And now it is available in twice as many locations, so grab a free copy at restaurants and shops around town, read it over breakfast, pass it on to a friend, or take it home to share.
You can also follow the Mountain Monthly on Facebook.
Below are a few recent stories from the Monthly we’ve published for you to enjoy.
Got a question or an idea? Contact us at hello@mountainmonthly.com
Recent Mountain Monthly stories:
Rising to the Occasion: Levain It Up in High Rolls
The aroma of fresh-baked bread fills the air at Levain It Up Sourdough Bakery in High Rolls, where Garrett Barnett and Steven Jackson are transforming both an old building and their own lives.
“Cloudcroft photographer and business owner Crystal Tompkins finds home—and helps others find themselves—one portrait at a time”
Brewing at 9,000 Feet: Inside Cloudcroft Brewing Company
“Tucked into a renovated Forest Service tanker bay station that once housed wildland firefighting engines, Cloudcroft Brewing Company has become a cornerstone of the village’s food and drink scene.”
“But what makes a Cloudcroft beer? To find out, we spent a morning with head brewer Elliot Bell and Denver Weise as they fired up the brew kettle for a batch of brown ale.”
Cloudcroft, Mapped
Cloudcrofter Rand Carlson has created a colorful, fun map for visitors to use as a reference to exploring the village and the surrounding area. Not exactly to scale, but nails the charm. Carlson included wildlife—and a few stray cats—to keep the mountain feel. See if you can spot them.
Sneak Peek: Getting Physical
The February issue will focus on wellness—the folks who help us stretch, strengthen, heal, and feel our best.
ICYMI: January Stories
Grab a copy of the Monthly at any one of dozens of locations around the village. Or subscribe to the PDF sent directly to your inbox to stay abreast of community stories and features like these:
P&Z Begins New Year with Three New Members—and Seeks Two More
Homefront: The Mountain View from the Editor’s Desk—and Beyond
Wiley Sworn in, King Uploads Village Info
How’s the Market? Real Estate Updates
Ski Patrol Rescue Training by Katie Grabowski and the VFD
Library Corner
Mad Jack’s Mountaintop BBQ Plans a Texas Hill Country Sibling
Day Trip: Valley of Fires Recreation Area
The Local Guide, Listings, and Events
First Bite, Art in the Wild, and the Cloud Puzzle
Mountain Life: Folks Caught on Camera Living Their Best Mountain Life
Life in the Sacramento Mountains by Lyn Canham
Letter from the Superintendent by Jocelyene Driscoll-Gillespie
VFW 11999 Dispatch by Paul Benshoof
Cloudcroft History by Damon Marez and the Sacramento Mountain Historical Society
Scouting Around by Greg Crinklaw
Flavor Lab by the Cloudcroft Schools Culinary Program
The Reader is proud to be sponsored by great companies like The Stove and Spa Store:
Cloudcroft Reader is sponsored in part by great companies like:
Noisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village PlazaOsha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasuresJohn R. Battle, CPA, CVA, MAFF, CMAA
Personal & Business Taxes, Tax Planning & ConsultingThe Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico ResortsSacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your SoulLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueOff the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Ski Cloudcroft
The Southern southernmost in New MexicoCloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life ImprovementHigh Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro AvenueBlushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest Mountain Goods & FineryThe PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the CloudsPeñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connectBre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services
Love this pivot from traditional newspaper to visitor-plus-local magazine. The dual-audience approach is smart - giving tourists a guide while celebrating the comunity for residents creates way more engagement than either model alone. I've seen similar transformations in other mountain towns where the publication becomes both a discovery tool and a documentation of local culture. The focus on seasonality is particuarly clever since mountain living really does transform with each season, and that creates natural recurring content opportunities.