US Hill summit
US Hill summit connects the dessert scenery of the Rio
Grande Valley south of Taos with a high bowl shaped valley
in the Sange de Cristo Mountains. The higher approach
leads up from the Rio Grande drainage. The small side
belongs to a green valley near the Picuris Pueblo, where
several other such lop sided summits converge. The scenery
along the ride is evergreen forest most of the way,
except the part where the route dumps the cyclist into the
dessert surrounding the Rio Grande gorge. The most
interesting feature during my last traversal were the
elaborate memorials to the dead, visible from the
roadside, and much more clearly visible form a bicycle
than from a car, in my opinion. The summit is identified
in the appendix of Marshall Sprague's book "the Great
Gates".
|
1.(7790ft,mile00) START-END SOUTH:
jct NM75-NM518
2.(8542ft,mile04) TOP: US Hill Summit
3.(7610ft,mile08) FR439 joins on right
4.(7410ft,mile10) FR438 joins on right
5.(7100ft,mile14) FR437 joins on right
6.(7040ft,mile15) START-END NORTH: Talpa |
 Approaches
From South. The profile begins where Holman
Hill summit ends, a junction of three roads and an
abandoned bridge. US Hill starts climbing into a crease in the
landscape. The scenery is pleasant trees, but rather
eventless, with at last a meadow approaching the top. The road
heading west from the summit makes an interesting MTB ride.
From North. (described downwards) Immediately after
the summit a large dirt parking lot beckons to stop and look
at the scenery. But the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are still
largely obscured by trees. There is a better spot further
down. Many miles further down something mysterious happens.
Shortly after the junction with FR438 the road becomes signed
as bicycle route, marked by extremely high signs. The
luxurious shoulder, very rare for New Mexico standards,
continues all the way to Talpa.
Tours
Dayrides.
(paved): A loop ride, starting at Coyote Creek state park
> Mora > Holman Hill
Summit > US Hill Summit > Taos > Palo
Flechado Pass > Angel Fire > back to the starting
point measured 105 miles with 6500 ft of climbing in 7:4 hours
(r2:07.10.25).
back to New
Mexico's Summits and Passes by Bicycle
|
