A rough road to the beautiful Goose Lake in New Mexico

A rough road to the beautiful Goose Lake in New Mexico

Usa, north-america

Length

11.58 km

Elevation

3,570 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've found a seriously stunning high-altitude lake in Taos County, New Mexico, called Goose Lake. Getting there is no walk in the park, but trust me, the views are worth every bump and swerve.

You'll find this gem nestled in the Carson National Forest, just south of Gold Hill peak, in northern New Mexico.

Forget pavement, the only way up is Forest Road 486 (Goose Lake Road), a completely unpaved path.

Now, let's talk about the road itself. It's STEEP and rough, like, really rough in places. It's a bit of a challenge, with a water crossing that can get pretty deep and a short, narrow section with a serious drop-off. Not for the faint of heart, especially if you're not comfortable with heights. Keep your eyes peeled for an old goldmine, general store, and other relics of past mining operations along the way!

Full-size pickups might have some trouble squeezing through the tighter spots. A proper 4x4 is a MUST, and I wouldn't recommend attempting it in a stock SUV. Leave the camper trailers at home, there are narrow one-way sections and steep drop-offs.

This high mountain road, tucked into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is usually snowed in during the winter months.

Starting from the resort town of Red River, the road stretches for about 7.2 miles. In that short distance, you'll climb over 3,000 feet!

The road ends at a spacious parking lot near Goose Lake, but it fills up fast on summer weekends, so get there early! Summer and fall are the best times to visit. Get ready for an epic drive to a truly unforgettable destination!

Where is it?

A rough road to the beautiful Goose Lake in New Mexico is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.6178, -99.6150

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Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
11.58 km
Max Elevation
3,570 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
39.6178, -99.6150

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