"Hwy 68 to Taos from Santa Fe" a Taos Travel Page by leafmcgowan

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The Rio Grande

The Road to Taos

Wednesday, 9 November 2005
The Road to Taos (Hwy 84/285/68), New Mexico
I wish I had more time to spend in Santa Fe ... but limited resources and time made me hit the road north, home towards Colorado Springs. I wanted to stop off during daylight to search for some staurolite crosses (otherwise known as teardrops of God, or Faerie Crosses. ). They are these beautiful twinned staurolite crosses (shaped liked celtic crosses or "x's") with little red garnet inclusions. I took the highway 84/285 North towards Hwy 68 which leads to Taos, New Mexico. Along the way, drove through several Pueblo reservations/towns - stopping off for Pinon nuts and local produce. The roads weaved through some scenic canyons and hills ... with a beautiful river to follow. Looks like there are lots of river rafting in these parts to which I'll have to investigate in the near future as I love river sports.

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Pilar

Pilar

Pilar
Hwy 68 towards Taos from Santa Fe, NM

"In 1795 twenty-five families were granted land along the Rio Grande at Pilar, then known as Ciene' guilla. The Battle of Cieneguilla was fought at Embudo Mountain near here in March 1854. A large force of Utes and Jicarilla Apaches inflicted heavy losses on sixty dragoons from Cantonment Burg' win near Taos" - Roadside Marker at Pilar along Hwy 68.

Driving along Hwy 68 you will encounter the Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center where there are lots of water rafting sports, hiking, camping, and geological exploring. The Visitor Center was closed when I visited but from the outside looks like a good resource.

SANGRE DE CHRISTO
"BLOOD OF CHRIST"
"From left to right along the eastern horizon, two of New Mexico's highest mountain ranges are visible, the Truchas Range and the Santa Fe Range. Both are part of the Sangre de Christo Mountains of the Southern Rockies where glacier carved alpine peaks rise to elevations exceeding 13,000 feet." - highway marker along Hwy 68.