Going To New Mexico; What Should I See?

[wgerrard]

Picked up a reasonably cheap flight to Albuquerque on August 7th for five nights. Nothing to do but be a tourist and take pix.

I'll rent a car and won't be averse to driving. Where should I go and what should I see? I'm thinking of a little road trip that gets me back to Albuquerque on the evening of the 11th.

I've spent a good bit of time around Phoenix, and like the desert. But, my only previous exposure to Albuquerque has been a couple of overnight stays while traveling along I-40.

I'll be taking an OM-2N with a 35/2, 50/1.4, and a 135/2.8. Any reason I shouldn't use Ektar and Tri-X?

 

[Melvin]

New Mexico is beautiful, it's hard to miss, but I would head north. Try the Jemez mountains, Sangre de Christo mts. Excellent trout fishing and mushroom hunting,boletes and chantrelles. Acoma pueblo(no photography at pueblos, though). Site Santa Fe has good art shows. Taos is no longer the sleepy little town it once was.

Stop in at the Frontier Restaurant on Central Ave by U.N.M. for some cheap good food. It's vast, so there's always a table.

Regarding film, it's very bright in N.M., so slow films are better. I like Ilford Panf, Velvia, Kodachrome.

I forgot, in Albuquerque itself, the bosque is a nice walk by the Rio Grande. Central Ave is old Route 66 and there are still some remnants of cool old motels. Also you can drive to the top of the Sandias, or better yet take a ride on the world's longest tramway(last time I checked). Also, some roads in New Mexico are quite dangerous, so be careful driving.

 

[Tin]

Also the Great Sand Dunes National Park. You can do well with either color or B&W. So bring both.

 

[novum]

Bandelier National Monument and El Malpais National Monument would be my choices for unique photographs and landscapes. Most people go towards Santa Fe and Taos, and that's a good plan, but the state is packed with fascinating destinations.

 

[novum]

+1 to the Four Corners, and I would keep going--to the Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley, but then you're not in NM anymore.

 

[barefoot]

Albuquerque is as good an entry point to the 4-corners area as any - I'd suggest this game plan: if you can get there before dusk, drive (probably 6 hours at least) to and get a room in Kayenta, Az or Mexican Hat, Ut and take pictures of Monument valley in the light of sunset - then wake up early to get sunrise pics. Monument Valley is one of the most photographed areas in the US, but you'll see that it's for good reason:

Even if you have an affinity for B&W as I do (or try) - and you can get some great B&W shots, make no mistake - but Monument Valley is a great place for color film.

All that being said - Albuquerque will have plenty of photo-ops much closer in, if you don't want to make that drive. Santa Fe is just a little ways up I-25 (90 minutes or so, I think) and will have *lots* of photo ops, though more touristy. Someone mentioned the Tram ride up to Sandia Peak, about $10 and a great op for sunsets over the City. The Mountains of the Enchanted Circle (around Taos) are also beautiful, and that trip will take you over the Rio Grande Gorge bridge, if you like bridge pics. I can't tell you specifically where, but there are numerous ops for little out-of-the-way villages, some in ruins if you like that kind of thing (see abqstyle.com for hints in this area).

Needless to say, I've been there before. 😀

 

[Jeff S]

If you drive from Santa Fe to Taos, take the "high road" (google it), not the highway...lots of great backroads. Other side trips, besides Bandelier, include the Valle Grande (largest US caldera) and Abiquiu/Ghost Ranch (Georgia O'Keeffe territory).

Santa Fe is 7000 feet up, surrounded by 3 mountain ranges, so if you're lucky, the weather and the light will be special. I lived there and once saw 8 rainbows (three double and one single) on a 10 mile drive into the city. The area also has some of the best old churches, geology, and cultural mix (Anglo, Hispanic and Indian) in the US.

Jeff

 

[wgerrard]

Thanks, Jeff. Santa Fe and Taos are definitely in, and Interstates out.

 

[Vics]

Albuquerque seems a bit far from 4 corners to me... Santa Fe, Bandalier, The Carson Nat'l Forest. My aunt used to have a cabin up there above Taos and we spent all our vacations there when the kids were young. Don't know Albuquerque well though.
I would think that if you could find some Kodachrome 64, that would be perfect, or, failing that, Elite in your fav speed. Take a tripod. It's great hiking country.
Vic

 

[sepiareverb]

I left New Mexico what seems like a lifetime ago, but it was only '95.

Bandelier for sure- but the Tsankawi section- usually very under-visited and very fun.

And drink LOTS of water- not only because it's a desert, but because of the altitude. It will take a couple of days to acclimate so take it easy the first couple.

 

[bmattock]

The VLA.

http://www.vla.nrao.edu/

I lived in ABQ for several years. Central Ave is fun, the Frontier is a great restaurant, stay out of the Bosque unless you want to be killed. Besides, it's full of used rubbers and old tires. Nothing to see there.

Sandia Peak tramway is a fun ride, but not particularly picturesque. Nice view from the top, though.

Too bad you're not there later - the Balloon Fiesta is amazing.

Los Alamos County Fair and Rodeo is going on. Great for photography.



New Mexico ghost towns can be cool...

http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nm/nm.html
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/HC-Ghosttowns.html

 

[venchka]

Bisti Badlands
Chaco Canyon
Chama, NM for the steam trains
Shiprock

4 corners is like 4-5 hours from Bandalier the long way through the Jemez Mountains.

For photos, haul your behind out of Albuquerque NW to Bandalier, Chaco, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley, etc. Santa Fe and Taos are towns. You can see towns anytime. You'll need a guide on reservations. Worth it to get a photo friendly guide.

Enjoy! I'm envious.

You'll need bigger cameras. Lots bigger cameras.

Wayne

 

[venchka]

I totally agree. The best of the SW is outside city limits.

 

[Honu-Hugger]

Another recommendation for Chaco Canyon, fascinating and camera friendly. If you decide to go to Santa Fe 68 N to Taos is nice, even better (did this on the motorcycle) is 76 to Chimayo/Truchas and then Taos, or through the Sangre de Cristo's towards Mora and Sapello. Hard to go wrong anywhere in the area, but you may really enjoy Chaco. Have fun, burn film, and be safe 🙂

 

[peter_n]

Around Santa Fe there are pueblos, reservations, and closer to the town, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture. I found the Navajo in particular very interesting, they weave a spirituality into their beautiful creations that is really quite stunning. Jeff is quite right, there is a mix of Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo culture in the Santa Fe area that is quite unique.

 

[monemmer]

If you go' to Bandelier, make sure to get there after noon. In the morning the ruins are in the shade. Since all the sights are in a canyon, the sun sets fairly earlier there than elsewhere. In Tsankawi, I find that late afternoon is the best time to take pictures of petroglyphs that you'll find along the trail (do the loop counter clockwise). At sunset you'll get great views of the Sangre De Cristo mountains from the mesa. And while you're in my neck of the woods (White Rock), also check out the White Rock Overlook (take NM4 to White Rock, at the first traffic light take a left on Rover, then left on Meadow, then after 1/2 mile or so left into overlook park, drive all the way to the parking lot at the end of that road). There you'll get fantastic views of the Rio Grande 800 feet below in White Rock Canyon).

If you decide to go to Los Alamos, I recommend to check out The Black Hole (4015 Arkansas Ave). This is a surplus store that was run by Ed Grothus, a peace activist who sadly passed away earlier this year. The Black Hole is an amazing ccollection of surplus 'stuff' that Ed bought from the National Lab. A fun place and great for lots of snapshots of weird things (bring a flash). It is open Wed-Sun 10am-???, I think.

 

[Gumby]

...stay out of the Bosque unless you want to be killed. Besides, it's full of used rubbers and old tires. Nothing to see there.

Sounds edgy... what a challenge. What part of town is the Bosque?

 

[Tom A]

The White Sands is a must - a challenge to shoot as it is VERY contrasty. Malpais is quite stunning. Of course places like Santa Fe.
Be prepared for effects of high altitudes too. As someone said, drink lots of water - it is dry and you can quickly dehydrate to the point of "dizziness". I would also recommend a UV filter as you are up high and lots of UV. Consider taking a polarizer for color.
The White Sands is most likely my favorite spot in NM - but take along a soft brush to clean lenses and cameras - the gypsum dust gets in everywhere!!!!
Have a great trip.

 

[venchka]

If White Sands is in the wrong direction, Great Sand Dunes is north of Taos in Colorado.

Problem is, you could spend a lifetime exploring the country within a days drive of Albuquerque. Or Moab.

 

[MartinL]

IMO, your biggest gear concern should be boots and water bottles, not cameras. Walk as far and deep as you are able into any of the spectacular places mentioned. Photo ops will present themselves. Have fun moving, seeing, and recording, and if you miss a shot maybe the world doesn't require one more NM landscape.😉