Exploring more of the northern part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument was the agenda for the day. We headed north to Rte 522 and then a left onto Rte 515 to the Red River Fish Hatchery (about 20 minutes from Taos). Along the way we saw a herd of about eighteen bighorn sheep.
Arriving at the Fish Hatchery parking area, we planned to hike a portion of the Pecsada Trail in the National Monument. It connects the Fish Hatchery to the Wild Rivers Visitor Center. The trailhead is located on the opposite side of the Red River.
John spotted what we at first thought was a hummingbird. After closer inspection and some online research, we discovered it is a white-lined sphinx, one of the hawk moths found in North America. It is a bird-like size (3” long and 3” wingspan) and has similar flight patterns of hummingbirds. Check out the long proboscis it has to feed on flowers!
The trail runs along the river for a short distance and then begins gaining elevation.
The fishing pond and the buildings of the Red River Fish Hatchery could be seen from the trail.
The lush vegetation seen along the river changed to land dominated by sagebrush, pines, and volcanic rock.
On our return trip on the trail, our sweet doggie, Sadie, got to go for swim in the Red River on this very hot day!
The largest of six fish hatcheries in New Mexico, Red River opened in 1941. About 1.7M trout are produced a year here, including more than 500,000 catchable 9-10” fish for stocking statewide. Containers of trout are taken to the nearby Rio Grande to help propagate the trout population in the river.
The Red River Hatchery Pond is reserved for under 12 year-old kids, 65+, or handicapped fishermen/women. There is a three trout/per day limit. No swimming, etc., is permitted in the pond.
The Visitor Center features several exhibits and show ponds. Fish food is available for $.25, and you will see many large trout swimming in the ponds. The trout raceways are located in a nearby building. For additional information about the hatcheries in NM, go to www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/fish-hatcheries.
We drove to Rte 522 South to the dirt road (County Road B-007) that leads to John Dunn Bridge. When visiting the Wild Rivers Visitor Center, we learned that this was a lovely, scenic area along the Rio Grande. The dirt road runs parallel to Rio Hondo, a 20-mile river that originates in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and flows into the Rio Grande (an 1800+ mile river that flows, of course, into the Gulf of Mexico).
We parked near the bridge so we could walk across it and explore the area.
To the north is an area where we saw people swimming and launching kayaks. To the south were many fishermen, who drove their trucks right up to the edge of the Rio Grande.
It was such a hot day that Sadie jumped right in for a swim. If I had worn my bathing suit, I would have joined her!
The bridge was built in 1908 by guess who? John Dunn, of course. He was an enterprising man who charged a $1/person toll for crossing the bridge and built a hotel nearby. Dunn transported travelers (who sometimes stayed at his hotel) and the mail into Taos. In 1912, the bridge and surrounding area was purchased by the Territory of New Mexico (who eliminated the toll). Today the recreation area is part of the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument (www.blm.gov/nm/riograndedelnorte).
We drove across the bridge and stopped at an overlook on the west side of the Rio Grande.
The trailhead to the Black Rocks Hot Springs is also located here (about .5 mile each way) down to the river. We may return here to check it out (and I will definitely wear my bathing suit!)
Instead of retracing our route to the east to return to Taos (shown below), we decided to just continue west until we found a major road. And Google Maps does not cover this region very well at all!
Not a good decision, as it was a much longer drive on rough roads than just going back the way we came. Nonetheless, everything about the Rio Grande Gorge here in northern New Mexico is very beautiful.
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