Ride to Capulin Volcano National Monument

[MrArn]

Here is a report of a ride I did with my daughter this weekend.  Took her to see the Capulin Volcano and stayed in Raton. 

I'd like to float the idea of taking a ride to Capulin on I 25 and coming back on NM 94 and NM 434 as a loop ride for the New Mexico Ride In, with lunch in Cold Beer New Mexico. It's 7 hours of riding time so it would be a full day.

Here is the report of the first of a two day ride.
http://bikersroadreport.com/2012/04/23/ride-to-capulin-volcano-national-monument/

[..]

Mr Arn, Sometime in June I had planned to be crossing New Mexico on Hwy 412 south of Capulin.

Thanks to this post I will add in the volcano. 

I'll be using a National Parks Pass on my ride.

From Capulin I'll go west on 64 to I 25 and then SW on 64 to Cimarron and then north on 38 towards CO.

[Disco]

Thanks, MrArn!  I've ridden past Capulin several times, but have never stopped.  I plan to the next time I'm close.

to Cimarron

If you have the time and/or desire, poke your nose into Philmont Scout Ranch while you're there.  

[GreenLantern57]

Went up there with my brother, we talked for a good long time and wondered about all the great things in the universe. Pretty neat experience.  Have relatives that live in Clayton. My dad was born just south of the volcano!

[MrArn]

From Capulin I'll go west on 64 to I 25 and then SW on 64 to Cimarron and then north on 38 towards CO.

If you have the time I'd take NM 72 from Folsom to Raton and get back onto US 64 there.

[Rosie]

Nice post, Thanks!

[NCGhostrider]

Great report!

  I have ridden that route on 72 that parallels 64 several times.  I also turned left at Folsom and headed toward Texas on NM 456.  I do not recommend that.  All I had was a GPS and my laptop mapping system.  The road turns to dirt many miles up the road, too far to really want to turn around.  It was fun, but if it had rained, it would have been disasterous!!!   I sure did get some looks from the two cars I saw over the next 20 miles of dirt!!! 

All in all, I recommend the side road to and from Raton (NM 72).  It is fairly scenic and you get away from the idiots on 64 with all the ongoing construction and "safety corridors."

If you are adventuresome, you can take 456 from Folsom, just be sure and turn back into Colorado on 551.  I noticed mapquest now has the road designation marked as secondary.  Wish it had been that way a few years ago!!


See ya,

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S
 

[..]

Thanks guys. 72 it is.

But not so fast.

A quick look at Google Earth shows me that 456 eventually joins 150 in CO and that goes west to Trinidad where I can get 12 west and then due north to join Hwy 160 to take me to the southern end of CO 149 which is where my route was originally going.

Thanks guys. 

[NCGhostrider]

Be wary of 456, I am fairly certain it changes to 551 (then 389 at CO state line) to go north to 160 in CO then west toward Trinidad.  I remember the turn off, but 456 is still paved and it looks like you should go straight...it then turns to dirt several miles farther down with no paved exits.  Was just looking at Mapquest, it pretty much confirms this, with exception it shows pavement ending at the junction of 551 and 456.   

If you do ride that route in to trinidad, look at riding on thru trinidad to 12 and coming out thru La Veta.  The first few miles from trinidad are unimpressive, but it gets real nice heading thru the pass Cuchara, CO on to La Veta.  Beats the Istate highway and is good riding.

Below is a link to that page of ride report from 2008, but I have been thru parts of there since then.   

http://www.fenter.com/To_Travel_on_Two/Colorado_2008/Fritch_to_Colorado/Cripple_Creek_to_Gunnison/Gunnison_to_Lake_City/laveta_to_trinidad.html

Bottom line is that it will be a great ride.... have fun!!!!   


See ya,

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[..]

Be wary of 456, I am fairly certain it changes to 551 (then 389 at CO state line) to go north to 160 in CO then west toward Trinidad.  I remember the turn off, but 456 is still paved and it looks like you should go straight...it then turns to dirt several miles farther down with no paved exits.  Was just looking at Mapquest, it pretty much confirms this, with exception it shows pavement ending at the junction of 551 and 456.   

If you do ride that route in to trinidad, look at riding on thru trinidad to 12 and coming out thru La Veta.  The first few miles from trinidad are unimpressive, but it gets real nice heading thru the pass Cuchara, CO on to La Veta.  Beats the Istate highway and is good riding.

Below is a link to that page of ride report from 2008, but I have been thru parts of there since then.   

http://www.fenter.com/To_Travel_on_Two/Colorado_2008/Fritch_to_Colorado/Cripple_Creek_to_Gunnison/Gunnison_to_Lake_City/laveta_to_trinidad.html

Bottom line is that it will be a great ride.... have fun!!!!   


See ya,

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

i tracked 456 and 551 on Google Earth making sure it was paved all the way 

12 is on my route.

Thanks.

[NCGhostrider]

Yes..  I realized that I sounded like 551 or 456 wasn't paved to 551, but I was wanting to make sure you did get on it (551).   456 drops to dirt past 551.   

You got it, wish I were riding along... who knows, it may happen!!!   

see ya

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[MrArn]

My New Mexico Atlas shows NM 456 is dirt for about 25 miles--the area marked in blue.

[NCGhostrider]

That is the section of dirt.  He is heading north and will miss it, which was my big concern.  All I can say about my ride thru there was, it was part of the adventure!!!   

Keep up the great ride reports!!

Craig
NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[Valkahuna]

Great ride report Mr.Arn

Thanks for sharing. I find it especially good to be exploring the past of your family while you have your daughter with you. A trip you will both remember for the rest of your lives.

[highcountry]

Thx for the post Mr. Arn, I have driven by the volcano a couple of dozen times but never checked it out.