(Cimarron NM) Where the Mountain branch of the Santa Fe Trail turned southward toward Fort Union laid the town of Cimarron. The ‘Old Town’ portion remains featuring the St.James Hotel, Aztec Mill, Immaculate Conception Chapel, a saloon, a plaza, some homes, and a few businesses. The hotel was built during pioneer days, and still operates. […]
(Raton NM) I camped for a couple of days at Sugarite Canyon, and did some hiking. There once was a coal mine and ‘company town’ that thrived for awhile. Now, it’s a state park with two small lakes, two campgrounds, and trails. It’s at high elevation and a pretty spot that’s popular in the summer. […]
(Capulin NM) Capulin Volcano National Monument preserves the area around the nearly perfectly formed cinder cone of the now extinct volcano. The mountain rises 1,300ft above the surrounding terrain, and reaches 8,182ft at its rim. Its name derives from the abundance of chokecherry shrubs found there. Ponderosa and piñon pine trees, juniper trees, wild flowers, […]