![]() Nearby Mount Walter is only six meters lower, so the two peaks are often confused with each other. Wheeler Peak is the highest of them at 4,013 m (13,167 ft). The rest of the state is dominated by the Llano Estacado, one of the largest plateaus (mesas) on the North American continent, with elevations ranging from 900 m (3,000 ft) to over 1,500 m (5,000 ft) and steep slopes in the eastern, northern and western parts. New Mexico is blessed with mountains half of the country is mountainous there are more than 80 named mountain ranges in the state. In comparison, it is about the size of Poland or slightly smaller than half the size of Texas. New Mexico covers an area of 314,917 km² (121,590 sq mi), making it the 5th largest US state. The topographic map of New Mexico shows the location of the state's mountain ranges. On 6 January 1912, New Mexico finally became the 47th state of the United States. The amount of land gained by the United States increased further by the Gadsden Purchase of 1853-54, which added parts of present-day southern Arizona and southwest New Mexico to the United States. The treaty significantly expanded US territory. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war between the United States and Mexico in 1848. In 1846 United States forces invaded and occupied New Mexico. It became a territory of Mexico that gained independence from Spain in 1821. Clovis, Folsom, Cochise, Anasazi, and Pueblo Indian societies successive called the land their home.įor more than two centuries, Santa Fe de Nuevo México was a province of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, the Spanish possessions in Central and North America. Native Americans inhabited the territory of what is now New Mexico for thousands of years. It borders (clockwise) Colorado to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the east, the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Sonora in the south, and Arizona in the west. New Mexico is a landlocked state in the Mountain Division of the southwestern United States. Grab a last bite of green-chile stew at The Frontier if you have time before your flight.Where in the United States is New Mexico? Location map of New Mexico in the US. Return to Albuquerque via the Jemez Mountain Trail. Day 5ĭrive back south via the low road before veering west to take a hike in Valles Caldera National Preserve stay the night in Jemez Springs, where you can soak tired muscles in the healing waters. The Valles Caldera National Preserve is dotted with streams and lush meadows. Relive the views over a pint at the nearby Taos Mesa Brewing. Day 4ĭrive to Taos via the high road, spending the afternoon hiking the West Rim Trail along the Rio Grande Gorge. At night, relax in the hot tubs at Ten Thousand Waves, then have a late dinner at Izanami. Take your pick of several hikes in the Santa Fe area: The Rio en Medio trail north of Tesuque is a good one, or make the trek along Aspen Vista up by the ski basin if the leaves are turning. Return to Santa Fe for a hearty dinner at Cowgirl BBQ. Rent a mountain bike and get oriented downtown, then head down the Santa Fe Rail Trail to Lamy or cruise around La Tierra Trails in the rolling hills west of the city. If you arrive on an early flight, take a detour to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument for an easy hour-long hike-but don’t push yourself too hard. Day 1Īrrive at Albuquerque’s Sunport pick up your rental car and head north to your hotel in Santa Fe. ![]() Take in the scenery along the Santa Fe Rail Trail. Visiting in the fall may be colder, but the glowing yellow aspen groves that stud the mountains are a major attraction. ![]() Drink plenty of liquids, and head to bed early.ĭon’t try this itinerary any earlier than mid-May even then you will still encounter snowpack at higher elevations. When you see the scenery, it’s tempting to put on your boots and head straight out, but unless you’re coming from a comparable elevation, stick to foothill hikes and scenic drives for the first couple of days. This outdoors itinerary, which takes six days, caters to mountain bikers and hikers who want to spend as much time as possible outside of the cities. Not only is New Mexico’s mountain scenery stunning, but the population is sparse, so it’s easy to get out of town and have the natural splendor all to yourself.
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