Location: Traverses the Santa Fe National Forest in northwestern New Mexico Length: 132 miles (212 km) Time To Allow: 2.5–3 hours Description/Highlights/Points of Interest Just north of Albuquerque is one of New Mexico's most spectacular scenic drives. This journey through time takes you past amazing geological formations, ancient Indian ruins and an Indian pueblo. The area is rich in logging, mining and ranching heritage, as well. Points of interest include Jemez State Monument, Bandelier National Monument, Soda Dam, Cabezon, Battleship Rock and the Spence and Jemez Mountain hot springs. Suggested Itinerary Your trip through the Jemez Mountains begins in Los Alamos, New Mexico, famous as the home of the Los Alamos National Laboratory for its work and historic role in the Manhattan Project and the development of the atomic bomb. The Bradbury Science Museum offers a great deal of information and fun for everyone. Travel east along N.M. State Highway 502, and follow the signs to Valle Grande, the remains of a volcano that erupted 1.4 million years ago. Natural hot springs and tons of recreational opportunities abound in the area, making for an afternoon of activites sure to be remembered forever. After Valle Grande, continue north to N.M. State Highway 126. This road leads all the way to Cuba and is not paved, but well traveled. Use discretion in passing on this road: it may be rough in spots and not appropriate for passenger cars. (A 4 wheel drive vehicle is recommended for better safety.) After a rest in Cuba, travel south along Highway 44. A quick detour off of the byway heading west on Highway 197 will take you to Cabezon, a ghost town that was a flourishing city until the 1940s. Back on Highway 44, head south through the National Forest and down towards the many unique Indian Pueblos. The Zia and Jemez Pueblos offer wonderful opportunities for learning and adventure. To learn more, stop at the Walatowa Visitor's Center. The Jemez Pueblo is closed to the public except on festival days. The Jemez State Monument is a perfect getaway in the late afternoon, and highlighted by a dip in the Spence Hot Springs. Don't forget the other wonderful sites that are farther off the byway. Bandalier National Monument, near the Rio Grande, is a wonderful place to see the ruins of many cliff houses and pueblo style dwellings of 13th-century Pueblo Indians. A little to the north of Los Alamos, in Abiquiu, a cluster of fantastic museums at Ghost Ranch is a trip not to be missed. For those that want more of the scenic byway experience, the Santa Fe Trail (running from Santa Fe to Colorado) and the El Camino Real (from Santa Fe south to the border) are also National Scenic Byways that shouldn't be missed. Both of these byways are within a few minutes of Santa Fe. Travel Season/Dates Highway 126 is not paved and is generally closed in the winter due to snow.