From Tijeras
5. To Santa Fe, via N.M. State Highway 14 Heading North from I-40 at Tijeras
N.M. 14 is known as the Turquoise Trail because the gemstone was mined in the area for centuries, first by Indians then Spaniards, Mexicans and Americans. This National Scenic Byway offers a picturesque alternative to the interstate as it meanders through old mining towns, rolling hills dotted with juniper and piņon trees, and dramatic rock formations. This 52-mile journey evokes a sense of the old Wild West, and it begins at the village of Tijeras, the southern gateway to the Turquoise Trail and the junction of Tijeras Canyon and Cedro Canyons.
Passing through the towns of Cedar Crest and Sandia Park, the Cibola Forest and the Sandia Mountains are on the west, accessible via N.M. 536, which offers jaw-dropping scenery as it ascends the mountains. The 10,678-foot Sandia Crest is accessible on the other side of these mountains by the Sandia Peak Tram, which climbs nearly 4,000 feet in 15 minutes. Sandia, which means "watermelon" in Spanish, offers an apt name for these mountains, which are washed in various shades of pink by the sunset.
A few miles north, the tiny town of Golden was the site of the first gold rush west of the Mississippi in 1825. A larger slice of mining history is visible driving through Madrid, 10 miles north of Golden. This coal-mining town boomed in its heyday, supplying the Santa Fe Railroad and the federal government. Residents established a tradition of impressive outdoor light displays during the Christmas season that became so famous, commercial pilots diverted their flights over Madrid in December so passengers could see them. After coal use dropped, Madrid nearly became a ghost town. In the 1970s, it was revived with galleries, studios, restaurants and the traditional annual holiday light display.
Cerrillos, three miles up the road from Madrid, was established as a tent camp in 1879 to serve the Cerrillos Mining District, which produced gold, silver, lead and zinc. Today, the quiet town's historic buildings on its main street contain a few galleries and shops and many of these buildings have served as settings for Western films.
The Turquoise Trail ends just south of Santa Fe after passing a resident herd of bison, a perfect symbol for the trail's historic journey through the country of the old Wild West.
At 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is the oldest and highest capital city in the country. Founded between 1609 and 1610 by the Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta, the city has been the capital of the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, serving as Spain's northernmost territory in the New World; the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico; the American territory of New Mexico (which contained what is today Arizona and New Mexico); and the state of New Mexico, which officially achieved statehood in 1912.
During the 19th century, Santa Fe was the destination for merchants, military men, pioneers and other travelers along the Santa Fe Trail.
Today, Santa Fe is a flourishing multicultural city of about 70,000 people with a vibrant art and cultural scene, a world-class reputation for unique dining and shopping, and enduring connections to its fascinating past. It is the fourth largest city in the state, behind Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Rio Rancho. Nestled in the dramatic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city is famous for its stunning landscape, majestic sunsets and close proximity to excellent hiking, biking, skiing and other outdoor activities.
N.M. 14 is known as the Turquoise Trail because the gemstone was mined in the area for centuries, first by Indians then Spaniards, Mexicans and Americans. This National Scenic Byway offers a picturesque alternative to the interstate as it meanders through old mining towns, rolling hills dotted with juniper and piņon trees, and dramatic rock formations. This 52-mile journey evokes a sense of the old Wild West, and it begins at the village of Tijeras, the southern gateway to the Turquoise Trail and the junction of Tijeras Canyon and Cedro Canyons.
Passing through the towns of Cedar Crest and Sandia Park, the Cibola Forest and the Sandia Mountains are on the west, accessible via N.M. 536, which offers jaw-dropping scenery as it ascends the mountains. The 10,678-foot Sandia Crest is accessible on the other side of these mountains by the Sandia Peak Tram, which climbs nearly 4,000 feet in 15 minutes. Sandia, which means "watermelon" in Spanish, offers an apt name for these mountains, which are washed in various shades of pink by the sunset.
A few miles north, the tiny town of Golden was the site of the first gold rush west of the Mississippi in 1825. A larger slice of mining history is visible driving through Madrid, 10 miles north of Golden. This coal-mining town boomed in its heyday, supplying the Santa Fe Railroad and the federal government. Residents established a tradition of impressive outdoor light displays during the Christmas season that became so famous, commercial pilots diverted their flights over Madrid in December so passengers could see them. After coal use dropped, Madrid nearly became a ghost town. In the 1970s, it was revived with galleries, studios, restaurants and the traditional annual holiday light display.
Cerrillos, three miles up the road from Madrid, was established as a tent camp in 1879 to serve the Cerrillos Mining District, which produced gold, silver, lead and zinc. Today, the quiet town's historic buildings on its main street contain a few galleries and shops and many of these buildings have served as settings for Western films.
The Turquoise Trail ends just south of Santa Fe after passing a resident herd of bison, a perfect symbol for the trail's historic journey through the country of the old Wild West.
At 7,000 feet, Santa Fe is the oldest and highest capital city in the country. Founded between 1609 and 1610 by the Spanish conquistador Don Pedro de Peralta, the city has been the capital of the Spanish Kingdom of New Mexico, serving as Spain's northernmost territory in the New World; the Mexican province of Nuevo Mejico; the American territory of New Mexico (which contained what is today Arizona and New Mexico); and the state of New Mexico, which officially achieved statehood in 1912.
During the 19th century, Santa Fe was the destination for merchants, military men, pioneers and other travelers along the Santa Fe Trail.
Today, Santa Fe is a flourishing multicultural city of about 70,000 people with a vibrant art and cultural scene, a world-class reputation for unique dining and shopping, and enduring connections to its fascinating past. It is the fourth largest city in the state, behind Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Rio Rancho. Nestled in the dramatic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the city is famous for its stunning landscape, majestic sunsets and close proximity to excellent hiking, biking, skiing and other outdoor activities.