NMCA 2011 Caravan #1:  Owl Rock & La Ventana Natural Arch

Meet at 8:30 at 2420 Midtown PL NE in Albuquerque, the red X in the following map.  Directions to the starting point:  Take the southbound frontage road from the I-25 exit at Montano (Exit 228), then turn right at Midtown Road (the first available right) and right again at Midtown Place (the first available right).  Drive all the way to the end of the road and enter the parking lot.

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The caravan will depart at 9:00.  Drive south to the Big–I, then West on I-40 to Exit 117 (Mesita).  We will arrive at approximately 9:40 at Exit 117.  Take the exit and get on old Route 66 to drive past Owl Rock.

 Here is Owl Rock in an old Route 66 postcard.  This short section of classic Route 66 near Mesita, NM also contains a sharp, 180-degree hairpin turn known as “Dead Man’s Curve,” so we’ll try to keep it under 100 mph.

 

 


Rejoin I-40 at Exit 114, approximately 9:50.  Continue west on I-40 until Exit 89, then go south on NM-117.  Drive approximately 18 miles on NM-117 to La Ventana Natural Arch parking lot at mile marker 39, arriving at 10:05.  There is a nice, big parking lot and clean restrooms available at the arch.  Although the arch is visible from the parking lot, you can make the easy ¼ mile walk to a much better viewing area.

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La Ventana Natural Arch

Outbound trip summary:

Starting point to Exit 117                                       43 miles                                  40 minutes
Owl Rock detour on old Route 66                        5 miles                                  10 minutes
Exit 114 to La Ventana                                           42 miles                                  45 minutes
Total of all outbound driving                             90 miles                                 95 minutes

Depart at 10:45 and drive 9 miles north, back to the ranger station for a second brief stop where you can buy souvenirs at the shop or pick up free maps for the El Malpais National Monument area.  Again, there clean restrooms available at the ranger station and plenty of parking space.  Arrive at the ranger station at 11:00 and depart at 11:30.

Drive 9 miles north to eastbound I-40, then continue to Exit 102, Sky City Casino for lunch, arriving at approximately noon.

La Ventana to Ranger Station                               9 miles                                  10 minutes
Ranger Station to Sky City Casino                      22 miles                                  30 minutes
Total of second leg to Sky City                          31 miles                                 40 minutes

After a leisurely lunch, the caravan departs at 1:30 for the return trip to Albuquerque, arriving at approximately 2:30 at the Big-I.

Return to Albuquerque                                       64 miles                                 60 minutes

Total of all driving is approximately 185 miles and should take about 3 hours 15 minutes.