Old Santa Fe Trail
(20.6-mile roundtrip)
This route roughly parallels the last miles of the original Santa Fe Trail. As you probably know, the southeast corner of the Plaza marks the western terminus of this historic trail, where wagon caravans loaded with goods arrived from Missouri in the 1800s, opening up the first major trade route with the West.
Because of the hassles of parking downtown and because Old Santa Fe Trail (OSFT) begins as a one-way street from the Plaza, you can start at Fort Marcy and pick up the road at the intersection of Camino Corrales. Besides, OSFT is pretty crazy until you veer off toward St. John’s College. Other than missing 1.3 miles, you will follow OSFT in its entirety to where pavement turns to dirt just past the village of Canada de los Alamos.
You will climb gradually on your way out of town with two miles that will work you, plus a very steep mile out of Canada de los Alamos if you decide to drop down into the village. On the way back, it’s almost one continuous downhill, a personal favorite as much for the thrilling descent as for the expansive mountain views.
When it’s said and done, if you didn’t get enough of the Santa Fe Trail, you can ride it all the way to Missouri by joining the fully supported Santa Fe Trail Bicycle Trek. What took pioneers over two months, we can cycle in 20 days. Every other year, a group of cyclists leaves the Plaza following an 1100-mile route that closely traces the original trail. Any Pedal Queens up for an adventure in the fall of 2007?
Notes: There are no restrooms or services on this route except for Downtown Subscription at mile 1.3. The first mile near downtown is congested, especially in the summer. Watch for pedestrians, parked cars, and general chaos. The traffic is light for most of the ride. As for elevation, downtown Santa Fe is at 7000 feet and you are headed for a highpoint of 7800 feet at mile 9.3. If you go all the way to the dirt, figure losing 400 feet in that last mile, which you will have to re-gain. It’s a great short training hill.
Cue Sheet
0.0 Turn right out of Fort Marcy on Bishops Lodge Road.
0.2 At the light (Paseo de Peralta), continue straight.
0.3 At the next light, turn left on Marcy.
0.5 At the 4-way stop, continue straight. Marcy becomes Hillside. The pavement is rough here.
0.7 At the 3-way stop, turn right on Martinez.
0.8 At the T, turn left on Palace. Then take the first right on Delgado. After that you’ll cross Alameda and Canyon.
1.2 At the next T, turn right on Acequia Madre.
1.3 At the crazy 5-way intersection (near Downtown Subscription), turn left on Garcia and get ready for a 0.5-mile climb.
1.8 At the top of the hill (a stop/yield intersection), turn right on Camino Corrales (shoulder).
2.0 At the 4-way, turn left on OSFT (shoulder) and view Monte Sol straight ahead. Faint wagon ruts are still visible at Amelia E. White Park (northwest corner of intersection).
2.5 Road to St. Johns on the left. Continue straight, following a sharp curve to the right and crossing Arroyo de los Chamisos.
3.6 Reach a 3-way stop (Zia Road), continue straight, lose shoulder.
5.6 Pass County Road 36 (El Gancho) on the right, which leads to Old Las Vegas Highway (a return option via OLVH and then Old Pecos).
6.0 A bridge marks the start of a 0.6-mile gradual climb, which is followed by a steeper 0.3-mile climb.
7.2 Pass County Road 67C (Two Trails) on the right, which also leads to Old Las Vegas Highway (another return option). Continue straight ahead and gradually climb for 2 miles. The last 0.2 mile is a grunt.
9.3 Highpoint of the ride. Begin fast descent into Canada de los Alamos, only if you are up for the steep climb back out. Otherwise, view Shaggy Peak (rocky outcrop) and Glorieta Baldy (beyond and to the left), then turn around and head back.
9.8 Pass through the village (watch for dogs) and continue your descent.
10.3 Pavement ends. Change into a climbing gear before you turn around and retrace your route to Fort Marcy, enjoying incredible views to the west of the Jemez Mountains along the way.