The dirt road that climbs from Taos Junction Bridge to the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge provides great views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains north and east of Taos, and the Picuris mountains south of Taos. The road through the Orilla Verde Recreation Area leaves Hwy 68 at Pilar, and travels upstream to Taos Junction Bridge. Orilla Verde is the downstream most portion of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.
NOTE: Members of Congress and the Trump administration would like to reverse the Obama administration’s declaration of this and other national monuments. Let’s oppose this action!
Frosted mountains north of Taos, from the Rio Grande Gorge, 1-26-17
Gorge rim and the Picuris Mountains, view to the east, 1-26-17
Sunlit gorge rim, Orilla Verde, 1-26-17
Bald eagle pair in ponderosa pine, Orilla Verde, 1-26-17
Frosted mountains, north and east of Taos, from the Rio Grande Gorge. Pueblo Peak is seen on the right. 1-22-17
Fuzzy clouds over the Picuris Mountains, from the Rio Grande Gorge, 1-22-17
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