Hi all



I’m planning a trip to Northern New Mexico in June and I was hoping you could help me with a couple of questions I have.



First let me say that this forum is a really great resource – I’ve printed out trip reports, itinerary suggestions and restaurant recommendations (food is my life, so the idea of having real New Mexican food, with real chile sauces, just makes my mouth water) and I hope to put some kind of basic itinerary together soon.


I am a nervous driver who is just lousy with directions, even where I live on Long Island. However, I am bound and determined to do some driving on my own on this vacation.

One of the places that is a must do for me is Bandolier – I’ve read that that’s a pretty easy, straightforward drive (also, I’d like to go to Los Alamos, though I’m not sure at this point if it’s a must for me. I guess it should be as I love history and I like science). Can you guys confirm this?


Another drive I’m very interested in doing is the Turquoise Trail. I was going to try this going from ABQ to Santa Fe, but now I think I’ve worked out something that will suit me much better. I am a big horse lover and I try to go riding whenever I can on vacation. I’ve heard about Broken Saddle Ranch, in Cerrillos, and I’m thinking of doing the following:

1) Either driving from Santa Fe to Cerrillos to ride (and explore), then down to Madrid ……or

2) Driving directly to Madrid, then to Cerillos to explore and ride


I think #2 makes more sense. My questions are: Is the ride fairly easy? For some reason, I keep worrying about treacherous, winding mountain roads – I would never think of driving alone under those conditions. I’m under the impression that the Turquoise Trail is not at all that difficult, but I’m really looking for more confirmation. I’d really like to drive on my own (get over driving in unfamiliar places!) and be able to stop whenever I want to. Also, assuming a pretty decent drive, is it worth going past Madrid to Golden or even Sandia Park for the Tinkertown Museum? If I’m going to ride, and it’s a decent distance between towns, I may not be able to do it all as I don’t want to be driving back to SF in the dark (although, being as my trip is for June, there’s little chance of that happening).


Thanks so much for your help!

I think it's all doable; the drive is easy (all of them). Have been past Tinkertown, but not stopped. But, TT either way is easy; you can even add the high road to Taos!(unless you spend 1/2 the day in the saddle)

Betsyp, the TT is not at all a treacherous, winding mountain road....just the opposite, it's very much like an old two lane country road. Very easy, nice drive. In fact, if you want a look at the road itself, as well as the town of Madrid, you might rent the movie "Road Hog" that came out a couple of years ago with Tim Allen and John Travolta.(I think that's the name of the movie.)It's a terrible movie, but part of it was filmed on the TT.

Directions shouldn't be a problem. The maps you'll find there are easy to read, and routes are clearly marked, often with directional signs.

But! I do remember being a little nervous at some point in the drive to Bandelier a couple years ago. I wouldn't use the word treacherous, but winding and mountainous seem to fit. No such recollections for either the Turquoise Trail or High Road to Taos, though.

Thanks for all of your responses!

Sylvia, I plan on doing a day trip to Taos via a tour. I don't want to overwhelm myself - I don't mind putting myself in someone's hands for that one day. If it's really pretty easy, though, I may consider it. I'll think about it. I'm glad to hear that the driving will be easy - that definitely makes me feel better.

Sinehat, that sounds like just the drive I'm looking for. I live in a pretty populated area of Long Island, with a lot of strip malls, supermarkets and overall development. I'm truly looking forward to getting back to nature as it were. I may have to rent Road Hog, if for nothing else than to get a first glimpse of Madrid, lol.


Beachbum, I guess I don't mind winding as long as it's not a narrow road on the edge of a cliff, lol. Planning a trip so far in advance allows me to do some serious research, so that's what I'm going to do. I don't want to have to do a tour to Bandolier - that seems rather unnecessary, so I'll just think positive and just do it.

I'm really happy and satisfied that the TT and such drives are pretty easy. I am so looking forward to this trip......

Thanks again for all of your help!

Betsy, I'm sure you're going to enjoy your trip to New Mexico. I can't think of a road I've been on in New Mexico that I would term as treacherous. You'll be just fine. I wouldn't bother with any tours, New Mexico is meant to be explored on your own!

We rode horses in Santa Fe, but it's been so many years ago, I can't even remember exactly where we were.

We were in Bandelier recently, it's a great little day trip from Santa Fe. We loved driving to the Valle Caldera, please don't miss that, it's just a bit past Bandelier.

Have a lovely time. annie

I am heading out on a short trip to Phoenix tomorrow, but will be happy to help you with your questions when I have a bit more time.

Driving in NM is WAY easier than driving on the L.I.E.! I am a former NYer who moved to NM in 2001. The roads here are not scary, especially the ones you are talking about. The road conditions in June will be fine and you should have a wonderful time.

Quickly, skip Golden - nothing there. Make sure you pronounce Madrid correctly -- it is Not pronounced like the city in Spain. Rather, it is MAD rid not MA drid.

We rode at Broken Saddle [the year before we moved to ABQ] and highly recommend Harrold and his wonderful wranglers. Don't overdue it if you are not used to riding - you don't want your butt to be sore or your hips to hurt - for the rest of your trip [DON'T ask me how I know this. You can drive from Santa Fe to Cerrillos and then down to Madrid. Eat at The Mine Shaft Tavern and check out the glassblower just across the street. He is amazing to watch.

Turquoise Trial is a nice road and not tricky in the least. Getting to Bandelier is no problem either.

I haven't been to Tinkertown but Lee Ann on the board likes it a lot, if I remember correctly.

Take a ride up to the Crest and see forever. You can go up to the top [where the tram ends] and have spectacular views.

Also consider going to Tent Rocks, which is south of Santa Fe. Very unique rock formations - go early, it gets hot.

Feel free to email directly if you'd like. Put FODORS in the subject.
Hope this helps some,
Deb

Betsy, I was in Santa Fe & Taos last week. My BF and I drove the High Road from Santa Fe to Taos and back and then down the Turquoise Trail back to ABQ. I did the same when I was by myself in 1998 (33 years old). Neither time did I feel worried about the drive.

I'm also from the over-populated NYC/NJ region and I had no problem. There is no way to get lost as there is only one road. There's no real exits, or highways coming off of it. It's just the road and that's it. The road is not twisty-turny as you imagine it. It is not on the cliffs. It is a paved two-lane road wide enough not to be worried about it. And there are signs pointing the way so you really can't get lost.

When you are at the ABQ airport, go to the Tourist Info Desk at the baggage claim. There is a special brochure for Turquoise Trail which shows the route very clearly along wiih the towns and galleries.

If you look under New Mexico you will see my trip report that I posted on Sunday.

Also, from Cerrillos to Madrid is about 5 minutes or less driving.

Hi Annie

I've read about the Valle Caldera, but truthfully have not given it any consideration. I doubt I'll feel like hiking again after Bandelier, but if it's an easy drive through, it sounds like a fantastic option.

The one thing that mitigates my nervousness of driving the High Road to Taos (again, remember that I'll be alone) is that it will be June and it won't get dark until late. I understand that this is not a treacherous drive, but it's a long one I believe - 2 hours or so. I'm not sure I want to do that - but if it's really easy, then I guess I could do it. I could always look into renting a car with a navigation system, though I've never used one.

My gosh, you guys really are the best.

Debi, I've been practicing saying MAdrid for about a week or so now, lol. Glad to hear NM is very navigable, especially for newbies.

I'm sure I'll be sore because, aside from riding on vacations, I never use those muscles. I'm the epitiome of a couch potato(though I'm not proud of it). I won't overdo it, though - a little cantering out in the open will do just fine. I've never ridden a Tennesse Walking horse - can't wait. That is going to be a fabulous day - riding, checking out a lovely small town, eating at a local joint (green chile cheeseburgers.......yum! I just had my first one recently at a restaurant which is now closed...bummer, but at least I know what the big deal is..wow, it was good)...How perfect is that? It doesn't get any better. I'll definitely check out the glassblower and, if I buy anything, will have it shipped home. I learned my lesson when I carried around a Murano piece in Venice for the last half of my European tour. What a pain in the behind. I'll look into Tent Rocks, but I don't want to try and squeeze in everything..it's just not possible to do that AND have real memories of a place. I always figure that I'll be back to a place I really love. My family doesn't understand this, given that there are so many wonderful places in the world to see, but I like going to a destination and feeling almost like a local. It's very comforting.

Enjoy your trip to Phoenix, and thanks for your offer to email you. I appreciate it!

Hkrchick, I just saw and printed your report tonight. I glanced at it online, but I enjoy printing materials and relishing them whenever I want to. I love reading trip reports and it sounds like you had a great time. Again, I'm feeling a lot more confident in my ability to navigate between SF and various day trip destinations. It's a very limiting thing, not being able to rent a car and being forced to spend $$ (even if well worth it) to do things on someone else's schedule.

One thing I'm also looking forward to is a class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking. If I have a car for my entire stay in SF, maybe I'll even head to Ojo Caliente. I've never been to a hot springs before and that photo of a woman just soaking in the natural waters is so appealing. The important thing for me on a vacation is to not be so much a tourist as a temporary local. I love going to farmer's markets - is the SF Farmers' market worth taking the time for? In essence, I love doing what locals do; it's why I really hate doing tours (not that I haven't had great times on them, but I don't like being rushed in and out of a destination and I really don't like having to eat in touristy restaurants that cater to large busloads of people).

You all have helped me so much tonight - thank you! I'm going to print this and do more research on some of the places mentioned here that I hadn't considered........

Sorry, the name of the Tim Allen movie is "Wild Hogs", not "Road Hog". Bad movie, nice scenery.

Hi Betsy,

I do like Tinkertown; it's just a fun, quirky little museum. Spend an hour or so there while you're on the Turquoise Trail.

Lee Ann

Hi Lee Ann

I like fun and quirky, so if I have the time, I will check Tinkertown out.

Thanks!

Just FYI: The Valles caldera is an enormous geographic region, emcompassing a range of volcanic features; you can't really hike it.

Hi Sylvia

If hiking the Valles Caldera is not feasible, I'm sure the drive around/through it will be truly spectacular. That's going to be fantastic - I've never seen a volcanic crater (or anything like it) before.

Well, that's the thing; you might not see a caldera per se, but rather evidence of volcanic activity in the surrounding landscape and rocks (like the Yellowstone caldera; you don't actually peak over a rim into a crater, or anything like that). If you actually want to see a volcano, there's Capulin in the northeast part of the state (a bit off I25); for a beautiful excursion,there are many cinder cones and spectacular basalt flows if you drive an hour west and visit the Mapais and surrounding area.

I didn't mean "might not see", I meant "won't"; this is a case of a such a massive scale that it's a can't see the forest for the trees situation. However, the entire area (let's just say the whole state) is beautiful, and you will love your visit, I'm sure!

Hi Sylvia

Any signs of volcanic activity are fine with me, though I thought I had read that Valles Caldera is relatively small and can be seen whole. I must have been mistaken, but nonetheless, I'm sure it's spectacular. I really can't wait - I don't know what I'm going to do between now and June. I guess fiddle with my itinerary and pray that a non-stop route between NY and ABQ opens up....lol.

You might like the photos:http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevis...routemaps.aspx
If you want a perfect little volcano, do check out Capulin; again have a wonderful trip!

Hi, Betsyp!

Tinkertown is a hoot! We were there in mid_October. Brings lots of quarters! I think we stuck quarters in to EVERYTHING!

Los Alamos is really awesome. All that history and so interesting. A lot of reading, as each display has tons of explanation, so plan to stay at least a couple of hours.

You can easily combine Los Alamos and Bandolier in one trip.

Such a beautiful part of this country! Enjoy!