Scenic
Assets
- Scenic pullouts
- Viewsheds
- Dark skies
- Distinct seasons
- Variety of landscapes
Opportunities
- Remove billboards blocking scenic views
- Clean or screen junkyards
- Clear out and monitor illegal dumping areas
About the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan (CMP)
The Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments (COG) has received funding from the New Mexico Tourism Department and the US Department of Transportation to re-energize the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway Association and update the Corridor Management Plan. The National Scenic Byways Program requires a CMP for scenic byway designation. A CMP is the written plan outlining how communities will use, enhance, protect and benefit from the intrinsic qualities and character for their byway corridor. Part of this effort will include updating the list of assets along the byway and developing marketing and economic development plans.
The Trail of the Ancients is a New Mexico Scenic Byway that traverses the wildly diverse geological landscape of the Four Corners region. It is a route to prehistoric archaeological and geological sites of northwestern New Mexico, providing insight into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans and the Navajo, Ute, and Apache peoples. The geological features along the trail include canyons, volcanic rock features, and sandstone buttes.
Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway CMP Project Tasks
GET INVOLVED
Interactive Map
The interactive map is meant to capture public comments
related to the scenic, natural, economic, archaeological, cultural,
transportation, and/or recreation assets and opportunities along the Trail of
the Ancients Scenic Byway. Place markers on the map and leave your comments to
highlight opportunities and assets. Share comments about what you like, what
you dislike, and improvements that are needed. You can refer to the List of
Potential Assets and Opportunities below for ideas.
Public Outreach and Survey
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
10am - 2pm
Grants-Milan Airport, 1116 N. Dale Carnutte Rd, Milan, NM
7pm - 9pm
Coal Ave & Second Street
SUNDAY, APRIL 14
1pm - 3pm
Animas Valley Mall
4601 E Main Street, Farmington, NM
Ongoing Inventory of Assets and Opportunities
The following section lists some of the various assets and intrinsic qualities found along the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway.
Assets refer to places, infrastructure, programs, or events that contribute to the corridor’s sense of place and attractiveness as a place to visit.
Opportunities refer to aspects that could be
improved through public investment to enhance the visitor experience and
intrinsic qualities of the corridor.
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-
Natural
Assets
- Landscapes
- Vegetation zones
- Geologic features
- Wildlife
- Rivers/watersheds
Opportunities
- Preserve environment
- Maintain International Dark Sky status
Economic/Tourism
Assets
- Visitors’ Centers
- Parking
- Event advertising
- Employment
Opportunities
- Employment opportunities
- Increase awareness of TOTA route
- Fill gaps in amenities for visitors (food, lodging, gas, etc.)
Archeological/Historical
Assets
- Ancient Puebloan archeological sites (public)
- Spanish and frontier historical sites
- Historic buildings/structures
Opportunities
- Improve, preserve, and protect sites
- Restoration/maintenance needs
- Improve interpretive signage
Cultural
Assets
- Tribal chapter houses
- Arts and crafts
- Music
- Dance
- Rituals (public)
- Festivals (public)
- Languages
- Food
- Architecture
Opportunities
- Ensure development and structures match with cultural styles
Transportation
Assets
- Rest stops
- Fixed public transit routes (and on-demand service areas)
- Access roads
- Bicycle facilities
- Pedestrian facilities
- Wayfinding and marker signage
- Alternative
Opportunities
- Address safety issues/crash hot spots
- Improve Roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and trails
- Address gaps in public transit network
- Address gaps in bicycle facilities
- Address gaps in pedestrian network
- Address gaps in ADA accessibility
- Improve congested areas
Recreation
Assets- State parks and national monuments
- Trails and trailheads
- Horseback riding
- Mountain biking
- Boating and rafting
- Four wheeling and motorcycling
- Cross country skiing and snowshoeing
- Camping/RVs
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Long-distance bike routes
- Rock climbing
Opportunities
- Sustainably grow and maintain visitor capacity
- Improve rec facilities, trails and trailheads
- Improve wayfinding needs
Destination Forward Goals
This project is funded in part by New Mexico’s Destination Forward Grant. Development of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway CMP will prioritize the Destination Forward goals included below:
Relevant Resources
Project Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - incomplete
Trail Inventory
January - February 2024
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Public Engagement
February - June 2024
-
Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Marketing and Business Plans
April - May 2024
-
Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Plan Finalization
June 2024
-
Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Catalytic Projects and Plan Implementation
June - September 2024
Contact Us
TrailofAncients@bhinc.com
Para información en español contacta a trailoftheancients@bhinc.com
Na’adekiid nihe’daholo, Council of Government bichįį’ da’ho doolneh (505) 722-4327
