NM4 Part 2

A few meandering miles north of Jemez Pueblo lies the little town of Jemez Springs. Passing through this little burg provides ample opportunity for stopping and diving into local culture. However, the road onward beckons and this time of year (early spring) daylight is still in somewhat short supply so that exploration must wait for another day.

The road continues northward and ascends slowly through the deeply red rocks of Jemez National Monument. There is ample parking, picnic facilities and hiking in the pullout area amid the bright red rocks.







Jemez Springs National Recreational Area

The clue to the next interesting attraction is olfactory rather than visual. Traveling through a deep canyon the river is revealed through a natural waterfall appearing through a twisted mass of frozen fluid rock, obviously volcanic. Called Soda Dam, it is a popular place for people to hang out during the warm hours of the day.

Soda Dam

Passing Soda Dam the road continues upward and begins to gradually bend to the east. The riding continues to be excellent and mostly solitary until coming upon Battle Ship Rock. With ones riding head on the looking through the corners it would be extremely easy to slam on the brakes because when it first appears one has the illusion it lies directly in the path ahead.

Battleship Rock

After navigating up, over and around a couple of very technical hairpins Valles Caldera comes into view.

Also known as Jemez Caldera this 95,000 acre natural wonder is also one of the newest national preserves, passing from private to public ownership in 2000.

Note the height of the snow at 11,000 feet even in early April.  The coyote fencing is almost completely covered. 


















After passing beyond Valles Caldera NM 4 meanders pleasantly west toward the general vicinity of Los Alamos.  After negotiating another set of technical hairpins the there is a fork in the road that offers the choice of heading north into Los Alamos on NM 501 or continuing west on NM 4 toward White Rock.  On this particular journey the choice was to continue heading west.  Even passing rather far south of Los Alamos proper things can get pretty weird.  All manner of official warnings, gated-off areas and, and mysterious gadgetry punctuates the landscape.

After passing through White Rock turn south on US 84 at Pojuaque (steering clear of the tribal police) and slab it back to homebase.

  This is a ride that could easily take a couple of days if one stopped and gave justice to every worthy attraction.  Keep your eyes on these pages for more to come this summer.