The High Road to Taos

We took an impromptu camping trip last weekend to southern Colorado. We drove up through Taos and further north rather than take the interstate. Of the two main ways to get to Taos from Santa Fe, we typically take the Low Road, which is more direct. The scenery is gorgeous, especially along the Rio Grande Gorge. But we had not taken the High Road since we visited New Mexico back in 2010 before moving here. It was past time revisit this route!

The scenic drive takes you through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southern-most range of the Rockies. Named one of New Mexico’s Scenic Byways, the High Road winds through crinkled badlands, high desert, forests, small farms and tiny Spanish Land Grant villages. Scattered along the way are some of the state’s most historic, old churches. 

El Santuario de Chimayó, a tiny Catholic mission church and National Historic Landmark, is known for its pilgrimages still happening today, and is often called the “Lourdes of America.” We also stopped along the way at Santo Domingo Catholic Church in the tiny mountain town of Cundiyo, and the Old Truchas Mission church built in 1764.

But probably the most historic was the San José de la Gracia Church in Las Trampas. Built in 1760, it is one of the finest surviving examples of Spanish Colonial church architecture in the United States.

The views through the Carson National Forest were spectacular. If we weren’t headed elsewhere, we would have explored some of the side roads and little villages a bit more. 

We descended through the forest until we reached Ranchos de Taos, a quaint town that is home to San Francisco de Asís, a beautifully simple 18th-century mission church. The structure’s rustic adobe walls have inspired countless artists and photographers, including Georgia O’Keefe and Ansel Adams. 

We had a picnic lunch in Kit Carson Park in Taos, giving Koda a chance to stretch her legs a bit, and then stopped at Camino Real Imports and Gift Shop on the outskirts of town to see their chile ristras, quirky metal art, ceramics and more.

Taos itself has historically drawn artists, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts with its beauty and unique blend of cultures. But that’s another blog post. 

Just getting there is half the fun!