cumbres toltec railroad

Travel west across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the second highest bridge on the U.S. Highway System. As you enter Tres Piedras, see if you can locate the three rocks this little town is named for, and continue through the Brazos Mountains. Stop at the Brazos Overlook for an inspiring view of the Brazos Cliffs. Continue down into the Chama Valley and detour west at Los Ojos to Tierra Wools, a spinning and weaving cooperative that sells the wool products of the valley.

The Chama Valley offers extensive outdoor opportunities such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting, but the star attraction is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which operates four trains a week (Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday) through mid-October. Jointly owned by the states of Colorado and New Mexico, the 64-mile line is an archetypal remnant of the Denver & Rio Grande narrow gauge railroad system that once stretched hundreds of miles throughout the Rocky Mountains. The steam train winds through the 10,022-foot-high Cumbres Pass and the 1,100-foot-deep Toltec Gorge. While half-way trips are available from both depots at Chama, NM and Antonito, Taos visitors can easily enjoy the full-day trip by driving to Chama, riding to Antonito and returning to Chama by train or bus provided by the railroad. Hot lunch is available midway at Osier, Colorado.