Pictures below!

These were pictures I took while driving from Albuquerque to Taos. Some are along I-25, others along NM 68.

But there are also some pictures taken while in Rio Grande Gorge, not far from Pilar. Make sure to slow down and pull off the road (carefully!) to get some great views of Rio Grande Gorge! I recommend using your emergency brake; you would obviously become deranged once your car decided to walk backwards into Rio Grande Gorge and possibly on someone else's property.

To get a closer view of some of Rio Grande Gorge: Take NM 68 N towards Taos from Santa Fe. Probably about 25 mi S of Taos on the right side you will see the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center. I suggest using the Visitor Center's facilities. The staff is friendly, and can help you if you have any questions about hiking. Make sure to nab the photocopy labeled "Orilla Verde Recreation Area" if you are going to go hiking (though it is incomplete, I must warn you). The address for the visitors center may be (for those of you using Mapquest, I guess it may help): Bureau of Land Management, Taos Field Office, 226 Cruz Alta Road, Taos, NM 87571. I don't know if this the actual address. You can call them at (505) 751-4899. Also try the NM Bureau of Land Management website: www.nm.blm.gov

Anyhow, about 1/8 mi up the road you'll want to make a left. You should see a kiosk for Far Flung Adventures (whom I used to go Kayaking, I highly recommend them.) You'll now be in the small town of Pilar on NM 570. You may want to consider taking your car out of overdrive now. The roads deteriorate. If you continue you'll be heading though BLM lands, and there are some Campground facilities. Inexpensive! I believe there is the Pilar, Orilla Verde, and Petaca Campground. Drive around to see which campground you prefer, if you are going to camp. There is also the campground close to the Taos Junction Bridge, which looks more substantial, and seems to be used by large parties. I suspect it needs to be reserved well in advance by the BLM; check out the web site, supra above.

Along the left you can view the Rio Grande. If you want to take a closer look, turn off carefully at the day park areas. If you cross the Taos Junction Bridge, you'll probably either want to turn around (if you have a fear of heights or are afraid of ruining your car) or plunge ahead. I suggest shifting your car into a low gear. Now you'll be on NM 567, a rock (not dirt) road heading up the gorge. Though there are amazing views of the gorge, these will probably only be enjoyed by your passengers, because you'll want to keep your eyes on the road. I imagine this road would be better for hiking than it really would be for driving, given the amazing view of the gorge.

There are three hiking trails.

1. The first you'll encounter is the La Vista Verde Trail, which I highly recommend.
2. Another trail (which I may or may not have taken) is the Petaca Point Trail.
3. I believe, possibly incorrectly, that I took the West Rim Trail, which was not bad in parts, but on the whole long and dreary (beware the description of "amazing views of Taos Plateau, Sangre de Christos and the Gorge" in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area photocopy). Keep in mind that the BLM has a habit of not using signs, so I could have been on the Petaca trail. This was appx 9 miles one way, so at about 3 mph walking, you can guess that it will take you at least half a day to do it. Bring water, at least 1/2 gallon per person. More is better. If you unwisely brought a dog (I wish that you didn't), you'll have to bring him along, because he will surely die in the heat of the car. Slather yourself in sunscreen.  Do not bring or drink alcohol, because it is a diuretic and you could suffer heat exhaustion, sunstroke, and die. Sorry for being morbid, but this is a long hike and possibly quite dangerous hike, given the length, the heat and altitude, despite the "easy" rating. There are few (if any) people out here, and the closest hospital is in Taos. Err on the side of caution. Also keep track of where your location. Some parts of the trail are unmarked and the trail seems to split off. Oh, watch out for rattlesnakes.

Click on the pictures for a larger image.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Kerr Reno. All Rights Reserved.  For more information or if you have questions, contract kerr_reno "at" hotmail.com