This summer we will be heading from the Dallas area up toward the Rockies. We were looking for other things to see in Colorado. Don't really know much about the Santa Fe trail. Are portions of it worth checking out? I have no desire to trace the entire thing, but if it has some scenic and interesting things to offer, it might be worth a look.
We could pick it up in Kansas on our way north, but it might be better to get on up to the Rockies, then swing by the trail on the way back south. Thoughts?
Most of it's not that scenic but I suppose some of it in New Mexico would qualify. Lots of places in Kansas you can find the old wagon ruts still clearly visible. One section about 50 miles from Topeka you can actually get out and walk in the ruts and it DOES give you a kind of a rush if you're into historical times.
Here's another idea for you though. Stop at clayton Lake State Park in extreme northeastern New Mexico. the spillway area is just LOADED with dinosaur foot prints. It's a little more ancient history.
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I took the trip thru Durango and up thru the canyons and box canyons, visited the small townx, see how the people live, greatlly enjoyed the scenery. Went up thru the Coors factory, saw the majestic mountains. I dont know how you could go wrong anywhere up there.
A somewhat short detour off I-25, Capulin Volcano National Monument, the park entrance is on New Mexico Highway 325, 3 miles north of the town of Capulin which is at the junction of NM Hwy 325 and US Hwy 64/87.
East of Pueblo, CO: A somewhat short detour off US 160 to La Junta, Colorado on U.S. Highway 50, take Highway 109 north 1 mile to Highway 194, then east on Highway 194 six miles to a historic fort. Years ago, we drove over to see it from the Raton area, via Trinidad to La Junta. Bent's Old Fort and more CO Santa Fe Trail Sites.
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DesertHawk - Las Cruces, NM USA
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Bent's Old Fort is worth the stop & while you are in La Junta stop by Hogs Breath Saloon as I have always had very good food there. The cantaloupe if in season at rocky ford is the best there is.
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