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Once out of Taos and Ranchos de Taos, the route follows the Rio Grande south on NM68, the Kit Carson Highway, through a spectacular gorge where you can often see rafters and kayakers on the Taos lower "box" or the Racecourse. In the spring the Rio Grande runs fast and there are some great pullouts where you can watch the rafts go by just below. There is an annual Mother's Day race in the Racecourse. At Pilar at the intersection with NM570 there is the BLM Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center. NM570 follows the Rio Grande upstream through the Orilla Villa Recreation Area that used to be known as the Rio Grande Gorge State Park. Riding downstream past Pilar you go through dramatic volcanic cliffs along NM68. Then the Rio Grande becomes more tranquil and the canyon starts opening up just before the intersection with NM75 at Embudo. There is usually a lot of traffic on NM68 but it's not too bad on weekend mornings and more of it will be going towards Taos. Turning east on NM75 you ride along the pleasant Rio Embudo to Dixon. There is little traffic for the rest of the ride. Past Dixon you turn a little north, begin climbing, and enter Picuris Pueblo, "those who paint", lands. After a short descent continuing on NM75 you pass the entrance to the pueblo on the left. There are some good views along here of some of the northern Truchas peaks, Trampas, Jicarilla, and Jicarita peaks, which may be snow-capped in the spring. Continue on NM75 at the intersection with NM76. NM76 turns south towards Truchas and Chimayo, the "high road to Taos", which is part of a great ride, the Mora Maddness. Staying on NM75 you ride into pastoral, green, Penasco. Turn north in town and climb over into the Rio Pueblo drainage. Follow the Rio Pueblo through the little town of Vadito and continue to Rock Wall at the intersection with NM518. At NM518 there is a steep 800' climb to U.S. Hill though the heavily forested Carson National Forest. This is a GREAT descent when riding in the opposite direction. The summit pulloff at U.S. Hill has some good views but mostly you're in the trees. The excellent 10 mile descent to Talpa is well-deserved with good pavement and is long and straight. Once in Ranchos de Taos ride north back to Taos through the suburbia traffic.. Since this is a loop it can start and end at any location and be ridden in either direction. Getting There: This write-up starts and ends at the Taos Wal-Mart, 0.6 miles north of the NM68 & NM585 intersection. Or, being a loop, start anywhere on the loop or ride the loop in the opposite direction. Nicole Blouin, below, recommends using the Taos Visitor Center for the start/end location at the intersection of NM68 and NM585 in south Taos. Distance: 60 Miles, 4,100' elevation gain. Roadway: Mostly 2-laned highway. NM68 has lots of traffic through Taos so ride the NM68 section early in the morning. NM68 is 4-laned with a shoulder from the center of Taos south to Ranchos de Taos. NM68 south of Ranchos de Taos is 2-lanes. NM75 is 2-lanes with light traffic. NM518 has light traffic on weekends and very little traffic east of Talpa. There are some shoulders on NM518 from Ranchos de Taos to about Talpa. There is considerable traffic at the NM515/NM68 intersection at Ranchos de Taos. Options:
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