The best road cycling routes in the Santa Clara Mountains

Located 12 miles from the main section of Bandelier National Monument on State Highway 4, the Tsankawi section offers a 1.5-mile walk along a mesa, showcasing cavates, petroglyphs, and an Ancestral Pueblo village. The trail is sometimes narrow in places, requires some scrambling in addition to climbing several ~12 foot ladders, and is quite exposed to the elements so it should be avoided during thunderstorms and inclement weather. In winter, the path may be slippery and icy. Tsankawi also can be a little challenging to locate, in large part because it signs on Highway 4. From Santa Fe, turn from State Highway 502 to 4, finding Tsankawi less than 1/4 mile on the left. Coming from Bandelier, it's easier to locate, with the gravel parking lot on the right past the 3rd stoplight. Here is a link to a great virtual tour of the site by the NPS: nps.gov/band/learn/photosmultimedia/tt-vt-intro.htm

This part of New Mexico Highway 4 has great views of the Los Alamos Valley, with the Jemez Hairpin Curve being an especially nice spot. If hiking this road, the shoulder is narrow, so be careful.

Located 12 miles from the main section of Bandelier National Monument on State Highway 4, the Tsankawi section offers a 1.5-mile walk along a mesa, showcasing cavates, petroglyphs, and an Ancestral Pueblo village. The trail is sometimes narrow in places, requires some scrambling in addition to climbing several ~12 foot ladders, and is quite exposed to the elements so it should be avoided during thunderstorms and inclement weather. In winter, the path may be slippery and icy. Tsankawi also can be a little challenging to locate, in large part because it signs on Highway 4. From Santa Fe, turn from State Highway 502 to 4, finding Tsankawi less than 1/4 mile on the left. Coming from Bandelier, it's easier to locate, with the gravel parking lot on the right past the 3rd stoplight. Here is a link to a great virtual tour of the site by the NPS: https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/photosmultimedia/tt-vt-intro.htm

Nestled in the Jemez Mountains near Los Alamos, New Mexico is the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, a small local ski area that is great for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. There are also extensive, groomed, Nordic ski and snowshoe trails. Pajarito Mountain is not only a winter destination, however. There are hiking and mountain biking trails that you can enjoy during the warmer months.

Ponderosa Group Campground has vault toilets and water spigots and is just off of New Mexico Highway 4. The campsites can hold 10–50 people, and there is access to the Frijoles Canyon Shuttle running from mid-May to mid-October. This campground was affected by the Las Conchas Fire back in 2011, and today it is repaired and running well.

The Oppenheimer House, part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in Los Alamos, New Mexico, holds historical significance as the former residence of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientific director of the Manhattan Project. Built in 1940, Oppenheimer with his wife Kitty, daughter Toni, and son Peter lived in this this modest dwelling from 1943-1945. Visitors can explore the house, now a museum, to learn about Oppenheimer's life and the intense scientific efforts that took place in the creation of the world's first atomic bomb.

The Bradbury Science Museum, located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, is dedicated to showcasing the scientific and technological contributions of Los Alamos National Laboratory, particularly during the Manhattan Project. Named after the laboratory's second director, Dr. Norris E. Bradbury, the museum offers an immersive experience, featuring exhibits on nuclear science, physics, and the history of Los Alamos. Visitors can explore interactive displays, models, and artifacts, and learn about the laboratory's role in developing nuclear weapons and its ongoing contributions to various scientific fields. The museum aims to educate the public on the laboratory's research and its impact on national security and scientific advancements. Admission is free for visitors of all ages.

Ashley Pond Park, situated within the Manhattan Project National Historic Park, holds significant historical value in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Named after the founder of the Los Alamos Ranch School, Ashley Pond, the park was a focal point during the Manhattan Project (1943-1947). It housed military facilities and played a crucial role in scientific research. Today, the park is a peaceful space with picturesque views of the surrounding landscape, and features memorials and interpretive signs commemorating the Manhattan Project's scientific and historical contributions. There is also the Ice House, which stands as a memorial to the Los Alamos Ranch School days and Project Y, on the southern bank of the pond.