The mountain we see is named Sandia which is Spanish for watermelon. The Indians called it Turtle Mountain because to them it looked like a turtle.

This short video explains how it got it’s Spanish name. During the first part of the video you can see the moon rising over the mountain. During the second part, as the sun sets, you will see it change color. It’s that watermelon color that caused the Spaniards to name it Sandia.