The historic town of Taos
is nestled at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, visible at
the right of this photo. (http://www.taoschamber.org;
http://www.taosguide.com) Taos brings to mind an ancient
Indian pueblo; centuries-old Spanish influence; colorful names from
the past, such as Kit Carson, Mabel Dodge Lujan, Ansel Adams,
Millicent Rogers; great northern New Mexican food (think green chile);
skiing; white-water rafting; the famous Ranchos de Taos church; and
much more. Taos features more than 80 restaurants, more than 100
art galleries, more than 50 bed and breakfasts, 37 hotels/motels, 8
museums and an enticing schedule of cultural events.
Taos Ski Valley, known for
its world-class skiing, is a 25-minute drive into the mountains from
Taos.
Taos Ski
Valley has 108 trails (24% beginner, 25% intermediate, and 51%
expert); a vertical drop of 2,612 feet (3,244 feet if you do the
Kachina Peak hike); a capacity of more than 15,000 skiers per hour;
and an average of 300 days of sunshine per year! Sorry, no
snowboarding, but check out nearby
Red River
and
Angel
Fire Ski Areas for that. Incidentally, Ski Magazine's
February 2003 issue listed Taos among the
top ski towns for a "relaxed retirement."
The town of Taos is right
next to Taos Pueblo, whose original buildings are believed to be
nearly 1000 years old.
Taos Pueblo is
the oldest continuously inhabited community in the USA.
At the left of the photo
you can see the Rio Grande Gorge, carved by the Rio Grande, and the
site of the "Taos Box," a favorite of
white-water rafters.
Barranca del Pueblo, in
what is known as the Overlook Area, sits on the Rio Pueblo Gorge, in
the lower middle portion of this landscape, near where the Rio Pueblo
Gorge joins the Rio Grande Gorge.
