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La Bajada Hill

Turn onto Tetilla Peak Rd.
35.541294, -106.278107
Go about 1 mile and turn right onto Gravel/Dirt road to La Bajada
35.546494, -106.261073
1928 timber bridge over Santa Fe River
35.551213, -106.237651
view of hill
35.551649, -106.236439

East < GO > West

La Bajada means "The Descent" or "The Drop" in Spanish, and this road lived up to it's name dropping about 1,000 fett in a 1.5 miles. In a straight line that would be almost an 8% grade. That's be a very steep hill, thus the 23 hairpin turn switchbacks to reduced the grade.

It's hard to see the road in this image, but what's left of it is there, see the postcard below for a better, if olderr, view. The road is blocked now, so driving it is not possible for the general public.

Text

This second vintage postcard gives a view from the top of the hill and maybe a little better idea of how steep the his is.

1928 La Bajada bridge https://bridgehunter.com/nm/santa-fe/bh48382/

Above is the La Bajada Hill Historic Marker at the intersection of Hwy 16 and Tetilla Peak Road. The marker reads:

La Bajada

This black volcanic escarpment is one of New Mexico's most important landmarks. The descent (bajada) of this escarpment marked the traditional division between New Mexico's upper (Rio Arriba) and lower (Rio Abajo) districts. Over the centuries, several trails and roads were developed to overcome this most difficult of the obstacles along the Camino Real.