Salt Lake to Los Alamos, NM

Wanderlust Bus · 03-24-2017, 12:34 PM

We are heading out Friday (3/31) evening. Not really sure what our plans are other than getting to Los Alamos by Saturday evening. We'll be taking day trips from there for a few days and then taking our time coming home.

Anyone have any suggestions on cool things to check out along the way? We've been to Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands area a million times so we're just driving right through this time.

eddyturn · 03-24-2017, 02:47 PM

Bluff UT and do some various hike to ruins and rock art along Comb Ridge.

**BroncoHauler** · 03-24-2017, 03:05 PM

Chaco Canyon was spectacular when I took my son there last year. Spent 3 days there, could have stayed another 3 days.

The road in will test your suspension. No obstacles, just washboard.

Herb

DesertSMB · 03-24-2017, 08:52 PM

Bandelier National Monument is worth a visit. Ther ed are interesting ruins there and beautiful country.

BrianW · 03-24-2017, 08:56 PM

We absolutely loved Chaco, but the road in beat the hell out of our van's front end. Had to get it aligned in Abq before we continued our trip. Was worth it though. If you have bikes take them along. Biking the (paved) loop road at dusk or early in the morning is magical.

velo47 · 03-24-2017, 09:09 PM

Chaco. 'nuf said.
Bandelier is a quick day trip (or part day) from glow-town, as is Frijole Canyon.
The Valles Caldera is beautiful as well and very close.
Santa Fe is right down the road if you need a tourist fix.
Have a chile relleno burrito and chips & salsa at El Parasol (Espanola- the original, LA, Pojoaque, and Santa Fe).

ranchero · 03-29-2017, 10:36 PM

I second Chaco. From Chaco, go to Cuba and take 126/4 from Cuba to Los Alamos (126 to State Rd 4). It goes through the Valles Caldera and passes by the trailhead for San Antonio Hot Springs. The science museum in Los Alamos is a really good one. Look around and take note that Los Alamos is one of the poorest-looking rich towns in the USA.

**BroncoHauler** · 03-30-2017, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranchero

... Look around and take note that Los Alamos is one of the poorest-looking rich towns in the USA.

It also has one of, if not the highest, concentrations of PhDs in the country.

Herb

Wanderlust Bus · 03-30-2017, 10:55 AM

Thanks for all the replies. We are going to visit and spend time with my little brother who is one of those PhDs. He is a nuclear physicist at the National Laboratory. He'll be able to show us around town.

We are planning on Chaco Canyon, and we are bringing bikes. We're also going to Bandelier NP and spending some time in Valles Caldera.