Those living in lush and verdant areas may embrace the common misperception that nearly all of the Southwest is an arid, dusty desert. Yes, desert landscapes cover much of Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, southern Utah, and southwestern Colorado. Even within those areas, however, vegetation can thrive (as we know while watching very resilient grass appearing in our rock-and-gravel front yard).
Along with the deserts, you will see some impressive forests in New Mexico, ones with elevations thousands of feet higher that the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Mount Mitchell, the highest North American mountain east of the Missisissippi River, at 6,684 feet above sea level.
We recently enjoyed a drive of less than two hours, with an elevation change of more than 4,000 feet and an afternoon temperature drop of more than 20°F. Join us for a visit to the Santa Fe National Forest, a preserve in New Mexico that resembles areas of the Colorado Rockies.
A visit to the Santa Fe National Forest by vehicle takes you through Santa Fe, the capital city. New Mexico State Road 475 begins less than a mile northwest of downtown Santa Fe, passes north of the heart of the city, and continues for nearly 17 miles to Ski Santa Fe.
This state road begins as the northern part of Paseo De Peralta, follows Bishops Lodge Road for two blocks, and takes Artist Road (also known as Hyde Park Road) out of the city and into the forest.
The Santa Fe Mountains, located north and east of the city, are part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the southernmost segment of the Rocky Mountains. "Sangre de Cristo" means "blood of Christ" in Spanish. The peak at Ski Santa Fe reaches 12,075 feet above sea level.
After leaving the city limits, you enter Santa Fe National Forest. Established in 1915, the forest includes more than 1.5 million acres that span from lower than 5,400 feet in elevation to more than 13,100 feet at Truchas Peak, located a little more than fourteen miles to the northeast of Ski Santa Fe, as the roadrunner runs or flies.
While continuing along NM State Road 475, you briefly leave the national forest to drive through Hyde Memorial State Park. A visitor center, campsites, hiking trails, recreational sites, and picnic facilities are available. The park remains open throughout the year.
The road leaves Hyde Memorial State Park and returns to the Santa Fe National Forest after a few minutes. Scenic pull-offs offer commanding views.
We stopped for a visit at Big Tesuque Campground. Located just twelve miles from the city, this location sits at 9,675 feet in elevation, more than 2,500 feet above Santa Fe.
Tributaries of the Tesuque Creek's North Fork flow through this area. Simple, primitive walk-in campsites occupy creekside spaces, offering westward views from the side of the mountain. Aspen trees soar throughout this area.
You will find many magnificent overlooks along this road. One offers a great view of the mountain peak at the ski resort. In mid-May, a little snow remains at the peak. In five months, autumn colors will cover much of this area, a great excuse for a return trip.
After our visit, we headed back to Santa Fe for a great lunch that included the New Mexican staples of posole and sopaipillas, and red and green chiles!
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