Need New Mexico Info

[dsmithy]

Virginia and I want to take our coach from Lincoln to New Mexico from mid-February through mid-March or maybe a little longer. We are concerned that there might be more snow than we want in higher elevations or that the roads will be slippery. We're planning to see Santa Fe, Albuquerque and as many native sites as we can find.

Are our snow/slippery road condition concerns valid?
Any route info that will help keep us out of trouble? (Other than the trouble we WANT to get into.)
Any must-see things that aren't well known or publicized?
We're soliciting any tips, tricks or good ideas from people who know the area well.
Thanks!

 

[billvv]

The back road from ABQ to Santa Fe, through Madrid/Cerrillos
Bosque del Apache
Chaco Canyon
Taos Pueblo
Green Chile Enchiladas
Corrales
Tram to Sandia Peak
UNM/Zimmerman Reading Room
Zuni
Los Alamos

 

[LarryW]

If you go to Carlsbad Caverns (pictures do not do it justice) the campground at the bottom of the mountain is a good place to stay. If you get to the SE corner of NM there is a small town named Jal. That town has a town RV park that is free parking with 30amp, water and a dump station, on a artificial lake. Sites are paved and level. We spent two nights there, Ate a locals, got gas and did some shopping. Nice little town.

White Sands Missle Range and National Monument. Great place to visit in the cooler time of the year
Hal Kading has free parking at his airport just west of Las Cruces.
East of Las Cruces is the Organ Moutains and Aguirre Springs BLM camping area on the west side of the mountain range.. Only small campers will fit in there, but great views and hiking. Dry camping, no electric, but clean
Elephant Butte Lake State park and camping area near Truth or Consequences

If you take I25 north into Colorado, the Raton pass is a steep one going north, be prepared to use low gear, but for interstate travel, such great scenery.

The FMCA Road Atlas has so many potential places to visit. Soooooo much to see in NM!!

You and Virginia have a great time.

 

[Carl Stouffer]

We have traveled in New Mexico pretty extensively. My daughter lives in Albuquerque and we visited her and her family last Summer. Albuquerque is at 5300+ ft elevation, Santa Fe is at almost 7000'. That means it can be pretty cold up there in the Winter. You should be able to google the areas you want to visit and check the average temps for the approximate dates you plan to visit.

That said, like Arizona where we live, it can be hit or miss weather wise. We've had temps in the 80s in Tucson for the past several days and next week the predicted highs are supposed to be in the 60s. I think it is usually pretty dry in NM that time of year, so you probably won't have to worry much about snow and ice, but it is likely to be cold and windy.

In Albuquerque, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is definitely worth a visit, as is Petroglyph National Monument.

Lots of cool sites to see in Santa Fe and Taos as well. If you go south farther, the Silver City area has a lot of attractions nearby as well.

I'm sure someone local to that area will be able to provide you with better info.

 

[dsmithy]

Thanks Bill/Larry/Carl, I appreciate your wisdom and comments. Good ideas for our route planning. I kinda thought I'd get more comments on the weather so I'm going to check the Black List. Thanks again.

 

[adroitmind]

We have spent time in the Taos area. Highly recommend visiting the Pueblo. Great skiing if there's enough snow in the winter. Take a spin through the old governors house. It's small but an interesting bit of history. It's cold up there in the high desert during winter.