Is Brazos Summit in NM paved?
Usa, north-america
77.73 km
3,209 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, listen up! If you're cruising through northern New Mexico, you HAVE to check out Brazos Summit. We're talking Rio Arriba County, nestled in Carson National Forest, with the road topping out at a cool 10,528 feet.
This beauty, also known as U.S. Route 64, stretches for almost 50 miles between Tierra Amarilla and Tres Piedras, winding through the San Juan Range (or the Tusas Mountains, depending on who you ask). Give yourself about an hour to drive it straight, but honestly, you'll want to budget more time to soak in the views.
The road itself? Paved and pretty easy, with a manageable 7% gradient at its steepest. Don't expect any crazy hairpin turns or cliff-edge driving here. It was built in 1926, and it's only second to Sandia Crest Scenic Byway as the highest in the state.
What makes it special? The scenery, duh! Think endless groves of aspen trees – a total dream in late September and early October when they explode in vibrant yellows. Summer's awesome too, escaping the heat as you climb up. Seriously, if you're craving solitude and killer mountain vistas, this is your jam.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 77.73 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,209 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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