Virtual Tour: The Southern Route

A map of the southern segment of the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway

Leaving Caballo, the Byway runs west for about 50 miles on Highway 152, ascending from the Rio Grande Valley through ranch country, over the pine-forested Black Range Mountains through Emory Pass, and then descending toward scrub-dotted slopes. During rare times of severe weather these roads may be closed, and stay closed until cleared. Parts of this road run through open range where cattle have the legal right-of-way. Automobile services, including gasoline, are not available outside of Hillsboro..

Hillsboro,

was founded in 1877 when gold and silver were discovered nearby. Today it is a well-known community of writers, artists, ranchers and miners. This picturesque tree-lined village features the Black Range Museum, the 120-year-old General Store (now a restaurant), lodging accommodations, shops, and art galleries.

The Hillsboro Community Center sponsors regular, high-quality musical events throughout the year.

Hiking in the Gila Wildlife and Bird Watching Biking

From Hillsboro you can take a side trip to

Lake Valley,

a ghost town about 18 miles south. Named in 1878 for ancient lake beds nearby, this silver mining town had a heyday population of over 4000 people. Today Lake Valley is cared for by the Bureau of Land Management, and remains fairly intact. Weathered wooden buildings, a school, a garage and several houses still survive. This was the location of the Bridal Chamber Mine, one of the richest veins of silver ever discovered.

Kingston

As NM 152 winds up into the mountains, it passes Kingston, another mining town of the 1880s, with a reputation for wild and wooly ways. The Percha Bank has been restored and is now a museum that is open by appointment. Information about the history of Kingston and a walking tour map is now available online at the historic Black Range Lodge. Kingston's Historic District features several buildings and the town bell, cast from ore from local mines. The old cemetery outside of town is still in use.
Hiking in the Gila

Percha Bank Museum

From Kingston to

Emory Pass

the road gains nearly 3000 feet in altitude over nine miles, and crests at Emory Pass. This magnificent viewpoint at above 8,000 feet overlooks mountains, valleys and Caballo Lake over 50 miles to the east. An extensive system of trails offers pleasant hikes through cool forested mountains or along shady streams. Backpackers will find plenty of beautiful, wild, rugged, and remote country for long trips in quiet solitude.
Hiking

Leaving Emory Pass, the terrain changes from towering pines on the mountains and cliffs overshadowing the road to gentle slopes, with juniper, cedar and scrub oak, until it reaches the Mimbres River Valley at

San Lorenzo

, where the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway ends and the Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway begins.
Hiking

San Lorenzo