Posted by Jack Garrett on January 21, 2012 at 11:15 PM
Now I need to know where to go. My wife and I are wanting to go for 3-4 days in February. She wants to get some nice shots of old adobe dwellings like the shots from Taos. I heard Phil mention High road..where is that? And where can I get some great landscape shots? And any other things you can recommend.
Also any recommendations for pet friendly lodging.
The High Road is actually a bunch of roads that weave through the Sangre de Cristo foothills. You can pass through Nambe Peblo, Cundiyo, Chimayo, Truchas, Las Trampas, Picuris Pueblo and Penasco, all interesting and scenic places. Las Trampas has one of the best old churches out there. There are a number of variations and shorter versions you could do as well.
Obvious landscape suggestions near Taos in February are the Rio Grande Gorge (I like the Wild Rivers area a little to the north), and Plaza Blanca, a little set of badlands near Abiquiu. In 3-4 days, I'd resist any temptation to go all the way out to Bisti; there are interesting badlands and such much closer to where you'll be if you go to Taos. If going south of Santa Fe fits into your plans, there are some great areas of Hwy 550 west of Bernalillo.
Can't help you for lodging in Taos, but in SF a lot of folks with pets stay at Garrett's Desert Inn, which has a great location and is pretty easy on the budget.
Let me know how your plans shape up, and I can try to be more specific. And if you make it to SF, let me know; I can't promise I could go out shooting, but we could at least meet up for a beer or something.
Where to go in February is really dependent on the weather. Having Santa Fe as base camp could work very well. It's about 90min to Taos, an hour to Plaza Blanca (my home turf). If it snows you are quickly up towards the ski area for good landscapes or Valles Caldera (about 90min - beyond Los Alamos) where you can snowshoe (They rent them at the visitor center)
Posted by Bill Bean on January 22, 2012 at 12:53 AM
Jack, I'm sure Jackson and Phil and Pam can give you some good ideas online. Let's talk at the Shindig. I'll trade you what I know about northern NM for what you know about the Palouse. Deal? For lodging in Taos you might google up American Artists Bed and Breakfast. My wife and I stayed there once and really liked it. The couple running it are really friendly and the guy is a terrific chef! Not sure if they're pet friendly but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Posted by Art Escobado on January 22, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Jack you might already have this series but in case you haven't read it I would recommend Laurent Martès' series on Photographing the SW. They are great guide books for locations.
Posted by Jack Garrett on January 22, 2012 at 11:34 AM
Bill, you are on for info exchange!
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 22, 2012 at 11:43 AM
Is that 3-4 days in NM or does that include driving to an from Denver? If it includes your driving time, you will have precious little time in NM!
I'll assume you have 3-4 day in NM:
Day 1: Taos Gorge, San Francisco de Asis church in Ranchos de Taos, take the High Road down to Chimayo. On the way stop at Trampas and shoot the San Jose de Gracia church. Stop at Chimayo and shoot El Sanctuario de Chimayo. Stop at Gabriel's in Cuyamunge for dinner. Stay in Santa Fe.
Day 2: Walk around the Santa Fe Plaza, San Francisco Street, Old Santa Fe Trail, Canyon Road and shoot lots of Pueblo Style architecture. Lots of shops and restaurants nearby. You could make a whole day of this or just shoot the plaza in the morning and then head to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument near Cochiti lake south of Santa Fe. Do not miss Tent Rocks!!! Its awesome!
Day 3: Long day trip! Get up early!! Take your lunch! From Santa Fe, drive south on I-25 to Bernalillo, then take 550 to San Ysidro and then HWY 4 to Jemez Springs. There's a couple little shops in Jemez Springs. Directly across the street from Los Ojos Tavern (good burgers) is a small shop that has danishes and other breakfast fare. Continue on up HWY 4 and stop at Soda Dam for pics. You can also stop at Jemez State Monument. Stop at Battleship Rock and hike a short way (< 1/4 mile) up San Antonio creek on the NW side of Battleship rock to a pleasant but relatively unknown waterfall. Continue on HWY 4 to La Cueva. If you have time you can take a short side trip to Fenton Lake State Park on HWY 126. If no, continue on HWY 4 and stop at San Diego Canyon overlook for pics. Then stop at Jemez Falls for pics. About 2.5 miles from Jemez Falls road on HWY 4 there is a pull out on the left (north). Park here and hike a ways down the Jemez River. Its beautiful here! After that, take HWY 4 to the Valles Caldera. There are many pull outs along the road for photos. Take HWY 4 to Bandelier National Monument. Go down to the Visitor Center in the Canyon and hike up along the ruins. By now you are probably wiped out! Drive back to Santa Fe and Sleep!
If you have a Day 4 (take your lunch): Get up 1.5 hours before sunrise and drive HWY 84 to Abiquiu. There is a store called Bodes on HWY 84 at Abiquiu where you can get gas and breakfast burritos. MMmmmm. About 3.5-4 miles past the town of Abiquiu you will climb a steep hill by some red rocks. There will be a pull out on the left. Stop there and look back at the Rio Chama snaking its way to the Rio Grande. Shoot sunrise here. Drive another 7-8 miles on HWY 84 and you will go down a long straight hill with red rocks on the right. At the bottom of the hill on the left is a large pull out. Park here. Cross the road and go through the gate. Lots of cool red rocks to shoot here. When you're tired of red rocks you can drive on to Ghost Ranch and Hike to Chimney Rock or Kitchen Mesa just be sure to check in at the visitor center. The hikes are free, they just want to know that there are people out there. After Ghost Ranch drive another 2 miles or so to Echo Amphitheater for pics. Turn around and head back to Abiquiu. Just before Abiquiu take County Road 155 (gravel) on the left. After a mile or two you will see a sign for Dar Al Islam. Take this road to a parking area for Plaza Blanca. This is also a free hike and an amazing place. Please respect the private property! From here, drive back to Espanola and take HWY 68 up to Taos. This will take you up the Rio Grande Gorge and its spectacular. About 4+ miles past Pilar there will be a pull out on the right. Pull over here and you get great expansive views of the Taos Plateau withe the gorge cutting right through the middle of it. A good place for sunset.
There! That should keep you busy and out of trouble.!! Have fun! If you go to Tent Rocks, let me know when. I'm up for a trip to Tent Rocks!
Posted by Adam Schallau on January 22, 2012 at 11:57 AM
If you're looking for a place to stay in Taos, I suggest Adobe & Pines Inn - Bed & Breakfast. It's run by my good friends Kathy Louis Costabel.
Posted by Adam Schallau on January 22, 2012 at 12:10 PM
A few location suggestions:
The Rio Grande Gorge is best photographed from the "High Bridge" in the late afternoon and sunset. Sunrise can also be nice in the winter after a snow storm.
Here's another great portfolio of Adam's (hope you don't mind me posting this Adam! ) showing churches along the High Road.
Posted by Phillip Noll on January 22, 2012 at 12:17 PM
Looks like Adam was replying the same time I was!!
Also looks like there is a limit to how many URLs you can put into a post!
Posted by Joe Rogers on January 22, 2012 at 3:42 PM
Thanks all for this threat. I find New Mexico a facinating place as it is home to not only some wonderful landscape locals, but, an achitechtural style that seems to mimic the land and almost grow out of it. Like many places in the Southwest it is unique unto itself.
I have always wondered why there is little mention in the threads about New Mexico the many Pueblos and specifically the Taos Pueblo. I understand that they are not landscape subjects as such, but, nevertheless, they are interesting photographic matter. On my last trip to Taos in October I stopped there because I had never been. It was touristy all right, but, in October not as bad as peak season..I did pay a $15 camera fee and could not take a tripod unless I annied up $150 for a professional photographer permit, but, was still able to get shots I liked alot. Is there some sort of publication fees I am not aware of or is it just the fact that the Pueblo is done to death photographically? Just curious.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Joe Rogers on January 22, 2012 at 9:10 PM
Thanks all for this threat. I find New Mexico a facinating place as it is home to not only some wonderful landscape locals, but, an achitechtural style that seems to mimic the land and almost grow out of it. Like many places in the Southwest it is unique unto itself.
I have always wondered why there is little mention in the threads about New Mexico the many Pueblos and specifically the Taos Pueblo. I understand that they are not landscape subjects as such, but, nevertheless, they are interesting photographic matter. On my last trip to Taos in October I stopped there because I had never been. It was touristy all right, but, in October not as bad as peak season..I did pay a $15 camera fee and could not take a tripod unless I annied up $150 for a professional photographer permit, but, was still able to get shots I liked alot. Is there some sort of publication fees I am not aware of or is it just the fact that the Pueblo is done to death photographically? Just curious.
Joe Rogers
Posted by Jack Garrett on January 23, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Wow, this is amazing! We are booking into Adam's friends place for 2 nights and also a B&B in Santa Fe for 2 nights. We should have a lot to do and a lot of fun.
Discussion
13 repliesAlso any recommendations for pet friendly lodging.
Obvious landscape suggestions near Taos in February are the Rio Grande Gorge (I like the Wild Rivers area a little to the north), and Plaza Blanca, a little set of badlands near Abiquiu. In 3-4 days, I'd resist any temptation to go all the way out to Bisti; there are interesting badlands and such much closer to where you'll be if you go to Taos. If going south of Santa Fe fits into your plans, there are some great areas of Hwy 550 west of Bernalillo.
Can't help you for lodging in Taos, but in SF a lot of folks with pets stay at Garrett's Desert Inn, which has a great location and is pretty easy on the budget.
Let me know how your plans shape up, and I can try to be more specific. And if you make it to SF, let me know; I can't promise I could go out shooting, but we could at least meet up for a beer or something.
I'll assume you have 3-4 day in NM:
Day 1: Taos Gorge, San Francisco de Asis church in Ranchos de Taos, take the High Road down to Chimayo. On the way stop at Trampas and shoot the San Jose de Gracia church. Stop at Chimayo and shoot El Sanctuario de Chimayo. Stop at Gabriel's in Cuyamunge for dinner. Stay in Santa Fe.
Day 2: Walk around the Santa Fe Plaza, San Francisco Street, Old Santa Fe Trail, Canyon Road and shoot lots of Pueblo Style architecture. Lots of shops and restaurants nearby. You could make a whole day of this or just shoot the plaza in the morning and then head to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument near Cochiti lake south of Santa Fe. Do not miss Tent Rocks!!! Its awesome!
Day 3: Long day trip! Get up early!! Take your lunch! From Santa Fe, drive south on I-25 to Bernalillo, then take 550 to San Ysidro and then HWY 4 to Jemez Springs. There's a couple little shops in Jemez Springs. Directly across the street from Los Ojos Tavern (good burgers) is a small shop that has danishes and other breakfast fare. Continue on up HWY 4 and stop at Soda Dam for pics. You can also stop at Jemez State Monument. Stop at Battleship Rock and hike a short way (< 1/4 mile) up San Antonio creek on the NW side of Battleship rock to a pleasant but relatively unknown waterfall. Continue on HWY 4 to La Cueva. If you have time you can take a short side trip to Fenton Lake State Park on HWY 126. If no, continue on HWY 4 and stop at San Diego Canyon overlook for pics. Then stop at Jemez Falls for pics. About 2.5 miles from Jemez Falls road on HWY 4 there is a pull out on the left (north). Park here and hike a ways down the Jemez River. Its beautiful here! After that, take HWY 4 to the Valles Caldera. There are many pull outs along the road for photos. Take HWY 4 to Bandelier National Monument. Go down to the Visitor Center in the Canyon and hike up along the ruins. By now you are probably wiped out! Drive back to Santa Fe and Sleep!
If you have a Day 4 (take your lunch): Get up 1.5 hours before sunrise and drive HWY 84 to Abiquiu. There is a store called Bodes on HWY 84 at Abiquiu where you can get gas and breakfast burritos. MMmmmm. About 3.5-4 miles past the town of Abiquiu you will climb a steep hill by some red rocks. There will be a pull out on the left. Stop there and look back at the Rio Chama snaking its way to the Rio Grande. Shoot sunrise here. Drive another 7-8 miles on HWY 84 and you will go down a long straight hill with red rocks on the right. At the bottom of the hill on the left is a large pull out. Park here. Cross the road and go through the gate. Lots of cool red rocks to shoot here. When you're tired of red rocks you can drive on to Ghost Ranch and Hike to Chimney Rock or Kitchen Mesa just be sure to check in at the visitor center. The hikes are free, they just want to know that there are people out there. After Ghost Ranch drive another 2 miles or so to Echo Amphitheater for pics. Turn around and head back to Abiquiu. Just before Abiquiu take County Road 155 (gravel) on the left. After a mile or two you will see a sign for Dar Al Islam. Take this road to a parking area for Plaza Blanca. This is also a free hike and an amazing place. Please respect the private property! From here, drive back to Espanola and take HWY 68 up to Taos. This will take you up the Rio Grande Gorge and its spectacular. About 4+ miles past Pilar there will be a pull out on the right. Pull over here and you get great expansive views of the Taos Plateau withe the gorge cutting right through the middle of it. A good place for sunset.
There! That should keep you busy and out of trouble.!!
The Rio Grande Gorge is best photographed from the "High Bridge" in the late afternoon and sunset. Sunrise can also be nice in the winter after a snow storm.
Mission San Jose de Gracia Church is the village of Las Trampas is best photographed in the late afternoon. Lots of compositions here...bring a ultra-wide and get low!
San Francisco de Asis church in Ranchos de Taos can be photographed at just about anytime of day depending on what side of the building you are shooting. While you are there, don't forget to get your shot of the most photographed little blue window in all of the Southwest...it's located in the Ranchos plaza on the south side across from the church.
Phil mentioned taking Highway 68 from Espanola up to Taos through the gorge. There are some great views along the river a few miles south of Pilar.
Rio Chama
Rio Chama
Bandelier
More Bandelier
Even More Bandelier
Yet more Bandelier (Adam's models are yours truly and my wife!)
Abiquiu and Plaza Blanca
Tent Rocks
Sanctuario de Chimayo
San Jose de Gracias in Trampas
Here's another great portfolio of Adam's (hope you don't mind me posting this Adam!
Also looks like there is a limit to how many URLs you can put into a post!
I have always wondered why there is little mention in the threads about New Mexico the many Pueblos and specifically the Taos Pueblo. I understand that they are not landscape subjects as such, but, nevertheless, they are interesting photographic matter. On my last trip to Taos in October I stopped there because I had never been. It was touristy all right, but, in October not as bad as peak season..I did pay a $15 camera fee and could not take a tripod unless I annied up $150 for a professional photographer permit, but, was still able to get shots I liked alot. Is there some sort of publication fees I am not aware of or is it just the fact that the Pueblo is done to death photographically? Just curious.
Joe Rogers
I have always wondered why there is little mention in the threads about New Mexico the many Pueblos and specifically the Taos Pueblo. I understand that they are not landscape subjects as such, but, nevertheless, they are interesting photographic matter. On my last trip to Taos in October I stopped there because I had never been. It was touristy all right, but, in October not as bad as peak season..I did pay a $15 camera fee and could not take a tripod unless I annied up $150 for a professional photographer permit, but, was still able to get shots I liked alot. Is there some sort of publication fees I am not aware of or is it just the fact that the Pueblo is done to death photographically? Just curious.
Joe Rogers