Mountainair is the starting point for the places that gave this byway its name – the pueblo ruins of Abo (9 miles west on US 60), Quarai (8 miles north on NM 55), and Gran Quivira (25 miles south on NM 55). The byway follows NM 41 south out of Moriarty and runs through McIntosh and Estancia before turning west on US 60 to Mountainair. Salt Missions Scenic Byway – This byway starts at the junction of NM 337 and NM 333 in Tijeras Canyon and shares the road with Route 66 National Scenic Byway, now known as NM 333, to Moriarty.The post 1937 Route 66 National Scenic Byway follows I-40 from around Tucumcari to Gallup. From there, it went South through Isleta Pueblo to Los Lunas then northwest towards the Pueblo of Laguna where it proceeded west. The route then turned south and descended what was treacherous La Bajada hill in a series of hairpin, hair-raising turns that led to Albuquerque. Through 1937, the road meandered west of Santa Rosa through small villages in the Sangre de Cristo foothills up to Santa Fe and its plaza. Route 66 National Scenic Byway – This byway has multiple segments, the pre-1937 alignment and the straighter modern alignment.Perfect for a one-way jaunt between the two cities, the 52-mile byway takes only a bit longer to drive than the Interstate highway taken by most travelers. Travel through the quirky ghost towns of Cerrillos, Madrid and Golden through stunning scenery. Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway – Embark on the byway from the north, just outside of Santa Fe, or from the south, just east of Albuquerque, on NM 14.Cruise on through the village of Talpa and end at the Saint Francis Plaza in Ranchos de Taos. Turning north here provides a view of the Carson National Forest and the Taos Mountains with Wheeler Peak (at 13,161′ New Mexico’s highest) dominating the view. Then south on NM 75 through Penasco to NM 518. The byway turns north on NM 520, traveling through Chimayo and following NM 76 towards the village of Las Trampas. High Road To Taos Scenic Byway – To begin this journey through an authentic remnant of Old Spain, take US 285/84 north from Santa Fe and turn east on NM 503 to the Pueblo of Nambe.The byway follows the I-25 frontage roads west and then to NM 63 north into Pecos. The byway leaves Springer on the east I-25 frontage road and heads for Wagon Mound, the last major landmark on the trail, named for its resemblance to the top of a covered wagon. Heading south, the byway passes through Rayado and travels west out of Clayton on US 56 past the Rabbit Ear Mountains, an important landmark on the trail. Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway – The Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail crossed the Raton Pass and in Raton, the byway follows Moulton Street southeast to Second Street and picks up south of Raton on US 64, running through Cimarron.It makes a delightful day’s jaunt from the Albuquerque or Santa Fe area. Continue on NM 4 to Bandelier National Monument or take NM 501 to Los Alamos. The northeast trail of the byway continues on NM 4 to the Valles Caldera National Preserve, a million-year-old collapsed volcano caldera some 15 miles wide. The remainder of the trail is gravel to Cuba. The Northwest Trail leaves NM 4 at La Cueva, but is only paved to Fenton Lake State Park. Head north past Jémez Pueblo to Jemez Springs and on to the Soda Dam. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |