The history of Route 66 in New Mexico is a controversial one. Few people know that Historic Route 66 was realigned through New Mexico in the late 1930's. La Bajada Hill, part of the original Rt. 66 is now closed, but still accessible via 4wd.

When Route 66 was first laid out in 1926, everybody knew it would go through the capital of New Mexico and indeed it did. Route 66 followed the Old Pecos Trail from Santa Rosa through Dilia, Romeroville and Pecos to Santa Fe. From Santa Fe it went over La Bajada Hill and down into Albuquerque. That was the way it was aligned and constructed and that was the way it was supposed to stay - forever. But it didn't. But why was it moved? In 1937 the then governor of New Mexico, Governor Hannett lost the re-election. Hannett blamed this on the politicians in Santa Fe. In one great last act of defiance before the new governor was sworn in he vowed to get even with this Santa Fe ring. He had until January to institute his revenge. And he did! He decided the best way to get even was to re-route Highway 66 to Albuquerque and bypass Santa Fe altogether. This new alignment would bypass the Santa Fe businesses and Santa Fe politicians. It was a race against time. With no time off for the workers, including Christmas, he had to build a road through the virgin landscape fighting the elements, the vegetation and anybody and anything that got in his way. There was no time to buy the right a way so the road cut across both public and private land with no regard for the ownership. Though the road was not quite finished by the time the new governor took office in January, bad weather conditions prevented him from contacting the work crews to stop the project. By the time the new governor met with the work crews it was too late. The new road had been finished and cars were already driving the new route that cut off more than 90 miles of driving distance between Santa Rosa and Albuquerque. Santa Fe had been bypassed! The new alignment was really a better route from an engineer's standpoint. It was a more direct route that cut out some treacherous road conditions. It was also quite a bit shorter. This is the route that follows I-40 through New Mexico.


There was a nasty hail and rain storm the night before we went up La Bajada. This used to be a road, now completely washed out.




Looking north from just south of the base of La Bajada Hill.


An old bridge just before the trail starts.


The Santa Fe River.


La Bajada Hill was known for its steep switchbacks. This is a picture just below where the switchbacks start.


The trail is lined with volcanic rock.






part of the original road


The view from the top.


The Pinzgauer sticking out like a sore thumb.

Here are some Route 66 sites with some more information about the realignment.
Pre-1938 Rt. 66 alignment
The Mother Road: Historic Route 66
going to new mexico: la bajada