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FWIW - if any of you ever get to New Hampshire try the Kancamagus Highway and the Bear Notch Road for truly magnificent scenery.
And to think I did that on a bicycle years ago! I went specifically for the fall colors - and the only downside was that all the campgrounds were closed after the Labor Day holiday! But that was offset by the number of small "mom and pop" motels and lodges with very reasonable "off season" prices. I lugged all that camping gear on the bicycle for the entire ten day tour and never used it (that I recall).
As for this thread, there are SOOOOO MANY great backroads in NM, all with their own unique scenery/experience. Picking a favorite is really hard. I'd have to catergorize and choose - for example: Road with least traffic, Most creeks, Most wildlife, Most desolate, etc.
The favorite in my immediate area is the drive from Cloudcroft to Sunspot - a short drive but with very little traffic, good pavement and fantastic views along the way, especially the panoramas out over the Tularosa Basin and the Great White Sands desert.
When I get to NM I will have a motorcycle and a helmet. The road from Cloudcroft to Sunspot just has to be ridden. It was great fun driving it. I also want to take the "back" way to Mongollon via the Bursam Road or 52/59 from T or C. in late summer.
Mention of Truth or Consequences, NM reminds me of a long and interesting drive between there and Silver City, NM. It is via NM 152, which can be reached a short distance south of TorC, off I-25.
Be forewarned that if the distance appears relatively short on a map, that the many many curves on the ground will quickly dissuade you of any such notion. In short, you'll either be thanking or cursing me for such a suggestion.
The road appears simple enough from the interstate, fairly level and flat, and ever so wonderfully, largely, empty of traffic. This illusion will continue through the small and quaint town of Hillsboro, NM. For the less adventurous, this would be a good place to explore and then turn back. For much beyond one will come to the mountains which will seemingly extend forever, if in fact crossed at last to rolling hills on into Silver City. This latter section is relatively easy driving, and a chance to visit some of the less seen aspects of rural New Mexico.
Within the mountains proper, forests of pine trees and all, NM 152 is the very definition of winding. It is one tight curve after another, after another. On a second visit one can imagine the far side, but the first visit may lead one to wonder what they are attempting, or ever done with. If without a schedule, and enjoying such things, it can be a wonderful, if relatively slow, excursion. Backroad New Mexico at its finest . . . or worst. You decide.
Forest Road 936, Cibloa N.F..
Deep Canyons and deep washes, leads to a ghost ranch, complete with 'ol time fenced corrale and rock house with a metal roof and a Aermotor Windmill.
I'm a bit surprised no one has yet mentioned the "high road to Taos" that runs along the foothills of the Sangre de Christo mtns. and seems to be everyone's consensus "favorite drive" after they have experienced it.
Just google "valle vidal NM" and you will find it.
Here's a second vote for Valle Vidal!
I also like all the backroads (truly backroads!) along 197 around Pueblo Pintado & Chaco Canyon area for all the old Navajo hogans & Anasazi ruins off the beaten track that still have ladders, latillas, petroglyphs, corn in the cribs, etc.
I'm a bit surprised no one has yet mentioned the "high road to Taos" that runs along the foothills of the Sangre de Christo mtns. and seems to be everyone's consensus "favorite drive" after they have experienced it.
I certainly concur with the consensus opinions.
Or the even higher one from Truchas through the mountains to Taos I took that Bongo will have to tell you the name of as I have no idea what it's called.
Or the even higher one from Truchas through the mountains to Taos I took that Bongo will have to tell you the name of as I have no idea what it's called.
Wait a second, CAVA! LOL! You said before the road you were on was dirt. The high road to Taos is paved. We figured you were up toward Truchas Peak on a Carson Nat'l forest service road if it were dirt out of Truchas. The road from Truchas to Taos is paved.
Just google "valle vidal NM" and you will find it.
THANK YOU!!!! I am going to enjoy it!!!
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If so tempted
Valle Vidal
