Rocky Mtns to Albuquerque
Mar 1st, 1998, 03:34 AM
#1
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Rocky Mtns to Albuquerque
Planning trip in early June. Looking for recommendations on lodging/dining/must-sees around
Estes Park, CO and then down around Taos/Santa Fe/
Albuquerque area. Anyone been to Rio Ranchos or
Los Alamos? It's been great reading previous info
on Santa Fe!! Thanks for any other suggestions.
Estes Park, CO and then down around Taos/Santa Fe/
Albuquerque area. Anyone been to Rio Ranchos or
Los Alamos? It's been great reading previous info
on Santa Fe!! Thanks for any other suggestions.
Mar 2nd, 1998, 09:58 AM
#2
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Marsha: Do stop at Colorado Springs. Just north of the city is the Air Force Academy. Other attractions include: Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak which you can drive up--fantastic view--Cheyenne Mountain. Also, if you have time, drive all the way through Rock Mountain National Park from Estes Pk. and continue on. It's a zigzag drive but has some fantastic scenery.
Mar 6th, 1998, 11:30 AM
#3
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Rio Rancho, NM is a large suberb (now its own city) of Albuquerque. There is a large INTEL plant there and that maintains most of the area. There are several nice and new hotels in Rio Rancho. Los Alamos is a nice place to visit if you're interested in the history of Atomic Energy and the Manhatten Project. It's up in the mountains and near Bandelier National Monument where there are old Indian ruins. There are not many places to stay in Los Alamos.
Mar 6th, 1998, 06:26 PM
#4
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Here are some ideas. Hint: Copy this and email to yourself - the sites will then be 'active':
(CO) Colorado Springs:
http://colorado.com/Colorado/towns/c...ngs/index.html
A great place to visit and see local attractions: Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, Pikes Peak, Cog Railway, Air Force Academy etc.
(CO) Pike's Peak (West of Colorado Springs): Famous for 'Pike's Peak or Bust' slogan of early settlers. Over 14,000 ft elevation west of Colorado Springs. Can drive up or take Cog Railroad (Manitou Springs). Drive from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek via dirt 'Old Gold Camp Road' very scenic. From Cripple Creek to Canon City via dirt 'Phantom Canyon' road also very scenic (Not for motor homes or towed trailers). (MUST SEE)
(CO) Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Monument:
http://www.nps.gov/grsa/
Located in high (7,800 ft) valley, dunes rise up to 800 ft above floor. Hike up dunes but shifting sands make difficult. River flowing at base of dunes 'disappears' into sand. Hike to top considered strenuous. Hike up Mosca Pass Trail into green forest. Nice large campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend overnight stay. Motels in nearby Alamosa.
(NM) Bandelier Nat'l Monument: http://www.nps.gov/band/
Native American ruins northwest of Santa Fe, NM. Combination of stone dwellings and caves in soft stone. Small park subject to close due to overcrowding on weekends. Nice quiet walk through Main Ruins Loop. Moderately strenuous climb to 'Ceremonial Cave' 140 ft up series of ladders & steps. Falls Trail below Visitor's Center to view falls and on to Rio Grande. Frey Trail to/from campground. longer back country hiking available. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend one full day. Some Motels in nearby Los Alamos.
(NM) Chama:
http://www.viva.com/nm/nc.chama.html and
http://www.rmii.com/slv/alamosa/ccs/antonito/train.html
One of the most beautiful valleys (8,000 ft altitude) in New Mexico. Start point for NM end of Cumbres-Toltec Narrow Gage Steam Railroad: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...hter/focts.htm
Phone for reservations: (505) 756-2151. Day trips into mountains with stop over for lunch - begins at 8,000 ft and climbs to just over 10,000 ft Cumbres Pass. Also starts from Antonito, CO. Departs at 10:30 daily (Chama)/ 10:00 (Antonito); come early to watch train preparations. Reservations recommended. Campgrounds & Motels available. Recommend one day to ride train & another to film train from highway points. (MUST SEE)
(NM) Rio Grande Gorge Bridge: Located on highway 64, northwest of Taos. Drop of over 600 ft to Rio Grande River at bottom of gorge. Drive along highway 64 from Taos to Chama very scenic. Also, white water rafting around Taos.
(CO) Colorado Springs:
http://colorado.com/Colorado/towns/c...ngs/index.html
A great place to visit and see local attractions: Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, Cave of the Winds, Pikes Peak, Cog Railway, Air Force Academy etc.
(CO) Pike's Peak (West of Colorado Springs): Famous for 'Pike's Peak or Bust' slogan of early settlers. Over 14,000 ft elevation west of Colorado Springs. Can drive up or take Cog Railroad (Manitou Springs). Drive from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek via dirt 'Old Gold Camp Road' very scenic. From Cripple Creek to Canon City via dirt 'Phantom Canyon' road also very scenic (Not for motor homes or towed trailers). (MUST SEE)
(CO) Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Monument:
http://www.nps.gov/grsa/
Located in high (7,800 ft) valley, dunes rise up to 800 ft above floor. Hike up dunes but shifting sands make difficult. River flowing at base of dunes 'disappears' into sand. Hike to top considered strenuous. Hike up Mosca Pass Trail into green forest. Nice large campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend overnight stay. Motels in nearby Alamosa.
(NM) Bandelier Nat'l Monument: http://www.nps.gov/band/
Native American ruins northwest of Santa Fe, NM. Combination of stone dwellings and caves in soft stone. Small park subject to close due to overcrowding on weekends. Nice quiet walk through Main Ruins Loop. Moderately strenuous climb to 'Ceremonial Cave' 140 ft up series of ladders & steps. Falls Trail below Visitor's Center to view falls and on to Rio Grande. Frey Trail to/from campground. longer back country hiking available. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend one full day. Some Motels in nearby Los Alamos.
(NM) Chama:
http://www.viva.com/nm/nc.chama.html and
http://www.rmii.com/slv/alamosa/ccs/antonito/train.html
One of the most beautiful valleys (8,000 ft altitude) in New Mexico. Start point for NM end of Cumbres-Toltec Narrow Gage Steam Railroad: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...hter/focts.htm
Phone for reservations: (505) 756-2151. Day trips into mountains with stop over for lunch - begins at 8,000 ft and climbs to just over 10,000 ft Cumbres Pass. Also starts from Antonito, CO. Departs at 10:30 daily (Chama)/ 10:00 (Antonito); come early to watch train preparations. Reservations recommended. Campgrounds & Motels available. Recommend one day to ride train & another to film train from highway points. (MUST SEE)
(NM) Rio Grande Gorge Bridge: Located on highway 64, northwest of Taos. Drop of over 600 ft to Rio Grande River at bottom of gorge. Drive along highway 64 from Taos to Chama very scenic. Also, white water rafting around Taos.
Mar 11th, 1998, 11:30 AM
#5
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I travel to Albuquerque a few times a year and always look for interesting places in the area. My favorites are Acoma, the Indian pueblo on a mesa about 60 miles west of town, Bandelier National Monument between Alb and Los Alamos and Petroglyph Park on the western edge of town -- lots of exposed petroglyphs in a small state(?) run park.
