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We are flying into Albuquerque, staying 7-10 days. I have been to NM several times and love going through Madrid, stay at Ghost Ranch, go to Taos...but then where for something different? I'm going with someone who hasn't been through that area as much as I have. I'm kind of over Santa Fe. I still like it there but am not into shopping like I used to. He really likes to hike and I'm not looking to do that this time as much as other times, so looking for some places he could hike, me maybe not. Just hoping for some suggestions for areas I've missed and that would be good to visit. This forum has come through so many times in the past and led me to some great vacations so hoping it works this time!! Thanks.
I haven't been to Chama, but I have always been intrigued about the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. I have never heard anyone who has taken say anything expressly negative about it.
What time of year are you coming? Currently all the National Forests are closed due to drought and fire danger, or active wildfires. That will limit your hiking choices. Unless you're planning ahead for the fall?
If you haven't been to Bandelier National Monument you should check it out. Some parts are closed but the main ruins trail is open. Here is information for visiting this summer:
The time of year is important. Some areas are closed or restricted now.
A few places come to mind...
Southeast.....
Carlsbad Caverns
White Sands Nat. Park
Cloudcroft
Organ Mtns.
Salinas Pueblo Missions Nat. Mon.
visit Alamogordo or Ruidoso
Northeast....
Taos
Capulin Volcano Nat. Mon.
Fort Union
Enchanted Circle
Rio Grande del Norte Nat. Monument
Cimarron (St. James Hotel)
Las Vegas (Castaneda Hotel, Plaza Hotel)
Northwest...
Aztec National Mon. (Chaco Canyon if you have the time)
Ship Rock
Four Corners
(Mesa Verde in Colorado)
Acoma Pueblo
El Malpais
Farmington
Southwest...
City of Rocks State Park
Gila Cliff Dwellings
Very Large Array
Pie Town
Truth or Consequences
Silver City
Las Cruces
Central....
Santa Fe
Bandelier Nat. Mon.
Valles Caldera
Tent Rocks Kasha-Katuwe Nat. Mon.
Albuquerque (Balloon Fiesta is early October)
Sandia Tram
Petroglyphs Nat. Mon.
Bosque del Apache
How about Chama and ride the Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Steam Railroad? You can ride the same route the other way starting at Antonito. You can actually drive to either terminus and ride either direction. If you drive to where your train starts, a comfortable bus ride takes you back to your car from the far end, or you can park and take the bus to the other end and the train will bring you back.
Have ridden it several times. Will ride it again. The ride itself is several hours long and stops in the middle for a nice hot lunch. The two trains, one from Chama and one from Antonito, meet there and so you either get to see a train arrival or departure depending on which train gets there first.
From Antonito, you start out on fairly flat terrain and then it builds into the mountains with bridges and tunnels and a brief slow look over the edge of the Toltec gorge (600 feet down.) after lunch you are in the Chama river valley going over the Cumbres pass and then down into Chama. From Chama it’s just the opposite.
I think you cross the New Mexico and Colorado state line thirteen times.
If you are going in September, get your tickets now because the aspen foliage is fabulous and the tickets sell out fast. We buy the cheapest tickets and ride standing in the gondola. Breathtaking views and very little civilization.
Thank you for all the details. It sounds great. I think we will try to do that and I'm still trying to figure out the rest of the trip.
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