Page 212 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

210  NE W MEXIC O NOR THERN NE W MEXIC O  211

and water supplied only from a
stream. Sights include the 1850 t Enchanted Circle Tour Tips for Drivers
St. Jerome Chapel, the ruins of
the earlier 1619 San Geronimo The scenery around Taos rises from high desert plateau Length: 111 miles (179 km).
Church, and the central plaza, with its sagebrush and yucca plants to the forested Starting point: North of Taos
with its corn and chili drying- Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Enchanted Circle on Hwy 522, continuing east and
racks and adobe ovens, or hornos. south on Hwys 38 & 64.
Several ground-floor dwellings tour follows a National Forest Scenic Byway through Getting around: While the main
are now craft shops. Guided some of the area’s most breathtaking landscapes. roads offer smooth and rapid
tours are available; permission Circumnavigating the highest point in New Mexico, driving, bear in mind that many
sights are located on dirt tracks
must be granted prior to photo- Wheeler Peak (13,161 ft/ 4,011 m), it continues through and minor roads.
graphing a resident, and visitors the ruggedly beautiful Carson National Forest. Lakes
must follow posted signs and and hiking trails lie off the tour, which passes through
rules. No cameras are permitted
Restored early 19th-century kitchen at the Hacienda Martínez during ceremonial dances, but a number of small towns.
several festivals are open to 2 Questa
w Ranchos de Taos R San Francisco de Asis visitors throughout the year. 1 Rio Grande del Norte This hamlet is the gateway to Carson
60 St. Francis Plaza. Tel (575) 758-2754. National Monument National Forest, with rivers, mountains,
Road map E3. n Taos Visitor Center, Open 9am–4pm Mon–Sat. Closed 1st Established in 2013 by and lakes set against a rocky backdrop.
1139 Paseo de Pueblo Sur, Taos (575) two weeks Jun. 7 President Obama, this
758-3873. ∑ taos.org area stretches up the
P Hacienda Martínez Rio Grande Gorge to
Three miles (5 km) southwest 708 Hacienda Way. Tel (505) 758-1000. Colorado. The visitor
of central Taos, this separate Open Apr–Oct:10am–5pm Mon–Sat, cen ter has information
community is centered on a noon–5pm Sun; Nov–Mar: 10am–4pm on hiking and is a launch
peaceful plaza. Ranchos de Mon, Tue, Fri, & Sat, noon–4pm Sun. point for rafting trips.
Taos is also home to the striking & ∑ taoshistoricmuseums.org
adobe church of San Francisco
de Asis, built from 1710 to 1755.
It is one of the best examples e Taos Pueblo Cerro 3 Red River
of mission architecture in Road map E3. Hwy 150. n Taos Once a gold-mining town,
the Southwest and provided Pueblo Tourism Office, P. O. Box 1846, this hill village retains its
inspiration for many artists. It Taos (575) 758-1028. Open 8am– J Old West-style
was often painted by Georgia 4:30pm Mon–Sat, 8:30am–4:30pm Sun. J architecture, and
O’Keeffe (see p207). & 8 ∑ taospueblo.com offers a base for
The Hacienda Martínez is One of the celebrated ski slopes at Taos hiking and
a Spanish Colonial house built This is one of the oldest com- Ski Valley skiing in this
scenic area.
in 1804 and one of few still in munities in the US, having been
existence (see p192). Its adobe occupied continuously for around r Taos Ski Valley San
Cristobal
walls are 2 ft (60 cm) thick 1,000 years. Two multistory adobe Road map E2. Tel (575) 776-1413. Rio Grande Cimarron
and have heavy zaguan communal houses sit on opposite 7 village only. ∑ taosskivalley.com Idlewild Eagle
Nest
(entry) gates. Inside, 21 rooms sides of the open central “square.” Lake J
surround two courtyards. The Known as North House and South During the early 1900s, Taos Ski
first owner, Antonio Severino House, they are the largest pueblo Valley was a bustling mining
Martínez, prospered through buildings in the country and are camp. In 1955, Swiss-born skier
trade with Mexico and later thought to date from the early Ernie Blake began developing a
became mayor of Taos. The 1700s. More than 100 people live world-class ski resort on the Taos 0 km 7
merchandise he sold is year-round at the pueblo, as their northern slopes and snow Pueblo
displayed here. ancestors did, with no electricity, bowls of Wheeler Peak, the Taos 0 miles 7
13,161-ft (4,011-m) summit
that is the highest in New
Mexico. Located 15 miles 6 Vietnam Veterans 5 Angel Fire
(24 km) north of Taos, it has 14 Memorial State Park Winter sports are foremost
lifts and 113 runs for all abilities, Located northeast of Angel here, with sleigh rides, snow-
but it is particularly known for Fire, this modern chapel mobiling, and horseback
its challenging expert terrain. honors all the US troops who trips through the snowy
The ski season itself generally lost their lives in Vietnam. landscape available at this
runs from Thanksgiving to growing resort.
early April, depending on the Key 4 Eagle Nest
weather. The valley also makes Tour route Growing in popularity as a base
a spectacular summer retreat, Other road for sports trips, this small town is
popular with those seeking conveniently located and offers
relief from the summer heat. ski and boat rental for the nearby
Some 100 residents live in the mountains and lakes.
Adobe buildings at the Taos pueblo, inhabited to this day by villagers village year-round.
For hotels and restaurants see pp241–2 and pp258–260 For keys to symbols see back flap

210-211_EW_SW_USA.indd 210 28/11/17 12:42 PM 210-211_EW_SW_USA.indd 211 28/11/17 12:42 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm