The Jemez Mountains “crown” NewMexicoOutdoor: ..and as you leave our mesa and look at these mountains there are 4 peaks with enough prominence to be landmarks along the way, from Right to Left from the above panoramic photo: Cerro Pedernal, Pulvadera Peak, Chicoma Mountain and Redondo Peak. Cerro Pedernal toward the West, and that’s how we’ll begin this loop ..an amazing 217 miles around (and that’s even cutting off Santa Fe ..coming, instead, thru Los Alamos).

 Furthermore..this distance includes no side trips, which I will be mentioning here! Few people have heard of the Jemez Mountains (pronounced hay-muss in Spanish ..not hem-Ez) but for many places in them..that are world renown: Ghost Ranch, Cerro Pedernal ..Georgia O’Keeffe’s oft painted subject, Valles Caldera National Preserve, Bandelier National Monument and anybody who hasn’t heard of Los Alamos ..has had their head buried in the sand for the past 60 years!

As we begin, a bit of trick photography headed out our dirt lane: And head North on the main road, 68, toward Chama with Sierra Negra on the right for the next 10 miles or so:

We go thru the Village of Abiquiu and past Copper Canyon …then head “uphill” along the Chama River toward Abiquiu Lake. Taking a left at Abiquiu Lake, we see it before us ..and it‘s campground:

If we had gone straight..we’re VERY near Ghost Ranch, Echo Amphitheater and Christ in the Desert Monastery. Continuing in the direction of the actual dam and only ¼ mile beyond and to the left is the Recreation Area beneath the dam: ..It’s beautiful down there..and hard to take a bad picture!

Heading, now, Southwest..we are now under Cerro Pedernal, a landmark for some time and toward Cuba: We pass thru Youngsville (entrance to FR 100 and Cerro Pedernal Hike), Coyote (where our Continental Divide Hikes begin) with the Piedre Lumbar Plateau and red rock heaven: …and finally Gallina: < Elk Herd outside of Gallina

Between Gallina and the Village of Cuba..there is a State Road West that takes you to Chaco Canyon ..a major side trip. After Cuba..the scenery is awe inspiring.
..this along the San Pedro Parks Wilderness Area ..but not in it. And continuing now down out of the Ponderosa Pines: ..before we head back up in elevation to the Village of La Cueva: ..this is where we pick up Rt 4 toward Los Alamos. Another side trip ..taking 4 toward Battleship Rock, Jemez Springs and Soda Dam:

This is another neat little or long side trip..and can lead to Tent Rocks, as well, or even Albuquerque. But..we keep on the circle toward Los Alamos and first past Spence Hot Springs ..we stop at Jemez Campgrounds and hike to Jemez Falls:

After a nice picnic lunch, we continue on Rt 4 to Valles Grande and Valles Caldera, home to NM’s 2nd largest Elk herd: Days could be spent exploring this national Preserve..but you need a reservation.

Next stop in our route on Rt 4..is Bandelier National Monument: ..and once again..and in it’s Cliff Dwellings and assorted Trails in Frijoles Canyon ..one could easily spend a couple days of exploration.

Our final stop on this, truncated circle (we're not going to Santa Fe), Los Alamos and White Rock ..where there is a little known and magnificent overlook of the Rio Grande at White Rock Canyon: << looking South toward Albuquerque and: looking North toward Taos. To wind up our loops ..we drive down thru the Pajarito Canyon and back into the Espanola Valley: Heading toward home ..we pass Black Mesa on the Santa Clara reservation:

On 84, once again..and in another 20 minutes..we’re back on the mesa in time for another one of those Sunsets over Cerro Pedernal:

Jemez Mountain Stream

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