Advice on a visit to NW New Mexico NGC

[boatdetective]

Hey there-

I have some vacation time coming and have always wanted to see the Southwest. I have a friend NW of Albuquerque NM in Aztec. He'll help suggest some areas to hike- but I thought I'd reach out here for some suggestions.

Is Santa Fe overrated- or is it not to be missed? Any suggestions as to natural sites as well as other things to do is greatly appreciated.

Jonathan

[Jim Rich]

Canyon road in Sante Fe is blocks and blocks of art galleries, painting, sculpture, pottery, etc if you like that kind of thing.
There is a lot to see in N. New Mexico, good food, history, scenery, and some fine riding roads.  One of my favorite roads ever is highway 64 through the National Forest between Tres Piedres and Tierra Amarillo.   Big sweeping curves with great scenery.  Link to map below.

5:0xb6b5dcdd97d941e" class="bbc_link" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tierra+Amarilla,+NM/@36.6662739,-106.3903339,11z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8717d7fe066b4d3 5:0xb6b5dcdd97d941e

[Rich A]

If you do decide to visit Santa Fe, feel free to get in touch and we can get a green chile cheesburger or a cup of coffee or something. 

BTW, there is a surprisingly good Thai restaurant in Aztec.

Rich A

[Bill Havins]

Jonathan,

The Pecos Wilderness area is east of Santa Fe.  I have spent many days backpacking there and consider it one of the greatest areas of New Mexico for hiking and backpacking.

It is not a "day trip."  One of the routes in is through Pecos, NM, up to Cowles or Iron Gate Campground.  Either one leads to trailheads that start at elevations of over 8,000 feet (IIRC).

Years ago my wife and I spent the night at Iron Gate prior to going into the Wilderness for a week of backpacking.  That night a thunderstorm settled in on top of the campground and carried on for a good hour.  We quickly exited our tent and got into the truck, fearing lightning would either hit the tent or the top of a nearby tree.  It was the absolute loudest storm I have ever experienced - at that elevation it felt like we were in the cloud!

The next morning we went back down to Pecos and ate breakfast.  After breakfast we chose to drive into Santa Fe and visit friends; they had heard the storm and agreed it was ferocious sounding.   Judy and I didn't pick up the backpacks the rest of the week.

Have fun!

Bill

[rocker59]

Aztec is up by Farmington, so Four Corners area.  Will you really have time to visit Santa Fe?

For me, Santa Fe is great.  But, I know people who don't care much for it.  If you're not really into architecture, art, and jewelery, then it's probably not a place you'd be interested in seeing.  On the other hand, it's a one of a kind place with lots to offer.

Up in the Four Corners area, you have many opportunities for great outdoor activities.  Chaco Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Mesa Verde, Canyon Lands, San Juans, etc., etc.

Durango is a cool town, and not too far north of Aztec.

[Aaron D.]

Bandolier (sp?) is a great place to hike, Rt. 4 from Jemez to Los Alamos is fantastic to ride or drive, Cimarron Canyon is unspeakably beautiful.

[LowRyter]

I like Taos but that is more NE

[lucydad]

Jonathan,

If you have never seen an Anasazi site, go see the Great Kiva in Aztec.  The area is gorgeous. 

I am biased:  go to Durango, my home town and spend your time there.  Animas River fishing can be spectacular this time of year if the rains slow down.  Ride the narrow gauge railroad to Silverton and back if you like steam trains, incredible scenery and a unique experience.

If you are near Cuba, NM eat red chili at Bruno's. 

[Rich A]

Also, if you enjoy shooting, you could go to the Whittington Center in Raton. That's a wonderful facility, lots of options for ranges, and a bargain cost-wise.

Rich A

[jovato]

Take the back road, North of Albuquerque, out past Jemez Pueblo by the hot springs, soda springs dam and the hole in the wall.  Go back to Jemez and ride on past the Valle Grande and up into Los Alamos through the back roads.  From there, you can go out to Taos or drop back into Santa Fe.  You will thank me.  From Santa Fe, ride the Turquoise Trail through Madrid on to Sandia Peak.  Definitely ride up to the Sandia crest before going back into Albuquerque.  You will thank me again.  If you have time go South and check out Carlsbad Caverns, the Mescalero reservation, Cloudcroft, Ruidoso and then White Sands.  Ride over into Silver City and then the Gila.  A half day trip from Albuquerque out to the Acoma Pueblo and El Malpais is stunning.  If you are into birds, then head south towards Belen to the Bosque Redondo.  New Mexico has some of the best rides I have ever made in my life.

[boatdetective]

Thank You!  The detail is great. There's a shop in Albuquerque that rents bikes. Mostly Harleys but they have a Triumph Tiger 800 which may work.

I am a bit concerned about the reservations. My friend in Aztec works on the rez and the word from him has always been pretty grim. I'm a bit hesitant to travel in the rez not because of safety, but because I don't want my vacation to be a lesson on the plight of the Native American.

[RinkRat II]

I live in the middle of the largest Reservation in America. No problems as long as you don't try to sell them Guns and Liquor. Behave yourself and all will be good.

    Paul B

[lucydad]

Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio, CO (just N of Aztec) is a great venue for steaks. 

[rboe]

I'm not a big fan of Santa Fe. Too little parking, too many people. Like Tombstone, you should see it (and it has more going for it than Tombstone) and there is a chance you'll like it much better than I. Tastes and irks vary from person to person.

Chaco Canyon is still on my bucket list. http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm

Lawrence Livermore National Labs is in the area too; an worth a visit. https://www.llnl.gov

[Daleroso]

Santa Fe has the miracle staircase if you like history. It's a true mystery how it was built & a great story. Simply Google miracle staircase in Santa Fe.

[charlie b]

I think you mean Los Alamos Nat Lab.  Livermore is in CA.

It all depends on what kind of stuff you like.  I don't like most of Santa Fe, but, I don't like cities much for anything  :)

The road recommendations are good.  My sunday rides are up NM 14 and Sandia Crest (I only live a few miles from there).  Sunday mornings a bunch of riders have coffee in Cedar Crest on NM14.  For a longer ride I include going up through Taos or NM4 or Red River, etc. 

Hiking is really nice all over.  Pick an elevation with the right temps for you and go for it.  During the fall when temps start to get cool watch for snakes on the sunny parts of the trails, especially in rocky and grassy areas.  Be careful of hiking in the bottoms of canyons as then can flood without much warning, especially in the later afternoons.

Fishing?  The San Juan below Navajo Dam is one of the better places for fly fishing around.  Rio Grande has quite a few good spots as do many of the other rivers in the area such as the upper end of the Pecos and the Jemez river system.  Lakes around the area are good too.

The Indian reservations are fine.  I don't like to drive/ride out there in the very early morning hours (12-4am).  A lot to see in that area.  4 corners, Shiprock,  Mesa Verde in Colorado if you like ancient ruins. 

Geologic stuff.  Valles Caldera.  Malpais Nat Monument (large lava flows).  Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  Canyonlands, Arches Nat Parks and Moab in Utah.  US 550 Durango to Ouray.

Oct 3rd the Trinity Site at the north end of White Sands Missile Range will be open to visitors (site of first atomic bomb test).

[charlie b]

OK, so if I were to pick the places I wanted to see in a week just in NM.  I am more of a nature/science type.

Carlsbad Caverns
White Sands NM (have an evening picnic and watch the sun go down)
Gila Cliff Dwellings (good fishing, camping and hiking in that valley too, as well as a great road)
Sunspot Observatory (in Lincoln Nat Forest south of Cloudcroft, also a good hiking area and some good roads)
T or C (Truth or Consequences, just so you can say you've been there, yes, named for the game show)
Malpai NM, the lava tunnels and ice caves
Rio Grande, the section near the Taos bridge.
Very Large Array (radio telescopes, yes, it is in the middle of nowhere :)  )

Towns that might be of interest:
Roswell
Santa Fe & Albuquerque
   (both of these are small cities, the old town sections are quaint, but, not much beyond that, IMHO.  A few historic buildings if you like that kind of thing.  Some museums, Nuclear Museum in Alb.  Lots of art places.  The botanical gardens in Alb is one of the best around.  Good food in both places, just ask anyone where their favorite mexican food place is  :)   Oh, and Santa Fe has an opera house if you like that kind of stuff)
Silver City (mining)
Taos

just for fun:
Pie Town
Four Corners
Parts of Route 66

The balloon fiesta will be in alb Oct 3-11  On a good day they will put several hundred balloons in the air.

[rboe]

Oh dear gawd, I did mean Los Alamos. Thanks for catching that Charlie.   

[charlie b]

LOL, no biggie.  But, the cone heads would get really upset.  Nothing worse than an LLNL vs LANL fight :)  And I live near Sandia NL here in town.  Heck, a buddy used to be the chief of NNSA (the agency that manages all the labs).

Almost forgot.  If you want a really memorable hike....we have a few trails near where we live that border on the nuke storage area.  You can hike, get some fresh air, then meet a couple of guard dogs and their handlers, spend the night on Kirtland AFB (where Sandia NL is located), or maybe even longer if you don't watch your manners 

[boatdetective]

Wow- this is getting exciting!  Keep it coming.
OK- now to food. I'm only acquainted with your garden variety Mexican fare. Is there anything unique to the area that I can't find anywhere else? Any "must try this"?

[cruzziguzzi]

SantaQuerque are about what one would expect and seldom disappoint in that respect.

You have the balloon to-do coming up. Quite a sight.

Another point of interest is New Mexico's wine region - where in fact you'll be.

Gruet has a viewing event  http://www.gruetwinery.com/  that's the kitten's whiskers and if you've never had it, you can try their "Champagne" while there.

Yes, I said it... Champagne - and yes I know but care not a whit.

Todd.

[rboe]

In Northern ABQ: https://www.elpinto.com

Southern part of Bernallito (SP?) :http://www.rangecafe.com  (or FAR northern ABQ :) )

At the Range Cafe, I order the Hot Turkey Sandwich; come with green enchilada sauce instead of grave. Very very nice.

[lucydad]

Jonathan,

A truly amazing and unique valley is Chimayo, NM.  It is an ancient Holy site for both local Indian and Catholic church.  The area is astonishing, and the church very much worth a visit.  The area is known for the very best chili in all of NM.  Don't miss.  5 stars.

[jovato]

Wow- this is getting exciting!  Keep it coming.
OK- now to food. I'm only acquainted with your garden variety Mexican fare. Is there anything unique to the area that I can't find anywhere else? Any "must try this"?

New Mexican food is more a mix of Mexican and Native American.  2 thumbs up for El Pinto (mentioned in another post).  Locals love Los Cuates.  If you wind up way West, there is Casa Benevides.  Make sure you don't leave the state without getting blue corn tortilla steak enchiladas with green chile and an egg over easy on top.  The Corn Maiden restaurant in the Tamaya resort (out near Bernalillo) is pricey but fantastic.  The chef is inspired.  Prairie Star is in the same neighborhood, and is excellent as well.  On the simpler side, get a malt and a green chili cheese burger at the Route 66 Diner or the Owl Café.  Lot's of great food in Santa Fe, but Santa Fe has its own cuisine.

[jovato]

Jonathan,

A truly amazing and unique valley is Chimayo, NM.  It is an ancient Holy site for both local Indian and Catholic church.  The area is astonishing, and the church very much worth a visit.  The area is known for the very best chili in all of NM.  Don't miss.  5 stars.

Chimayo and Chaco Canyon.  Worth the trip.

[charlie b]

Anything with green chile :)   Everything with green chile.  Everyone likes theirs a little different.  Creamy or not.  Red or green or christmas (both).  Even McDonalds has green chile to put on your burgers.

Albuquerque.
Doesn't seem like it, but, some of the better enchiladas are at one of the Garcia's places.  Little Anitas is good and you can eat at their factory near the airport.  I dont really care for El Pinto that much.

Then there is Sadies, Cervantes, El Patron.  Wife says that Hurricanes has the best Juevos Rancheros (its a small diner).  Some like Gardunos.  Many, many others all over the state.  alike I said before, just ask someome whever you are at.

The Owl Cafe is reported to have the best green chile burgers.  Certainly the greasiest :)  The original Owl Cafe is in San Antonio, NM.

[Rich A]

NM is still kinda wild--there have been some bear attacks this year:

http://www.koat.com/news/hiker-attacked-by-bear-near-los-alamos/35222610

Had a bear visit my house a few years ago, estimated to be 300 or so lbs from the size of its paw print, which was on my kitchen window.

Rich A

[rocker59]

Just back from 4 days in the Taos, Red River, Cimarron parts of the Sangre de Cristos.  Love that part of NM.

SAY, I don't think anyone mentioned trains. Chama has the Cumbers & Toltec. Pretty cool.

[blackbuell]

If you do rent a bike: in the NW part of the state, check out rts. 64 and 84. The high road to Taos from Santa Fe is also pretty scenic; typical northern NM. The road over the Rio Grande Gorge, out of Taos, is interesting: you pass by one of the most unusual collections of homes there.

Jon

[jovato]

By the way, the best Sopapillas are in Albuquerque.  Pretty much any restaurant in Albuquerque.