The Cochiti Pueblo has blocked access to La Bajada Hill, an area where a 1920s alignment of Route 66 zigzagged down the mesa south of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The pueblo is blocking the historic site to prevent further abuse from visitors, reported the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper.
At the base of the 600-foot basalt cliff, blockades erected by the pueblo threaten trespassers with hefty fines. A barbed wire fence has been erected across a road bordering the traditional village of La Bajada. An unmarked, waist-high barbed wire fence blocks the road at the top of the mesa. […]
Jacob Pecos, the pueblo’s natural resources director, said the tribe wants to protect its borders from the deterioration caused by visitors and time.
“We’ve lost so much,” Pecos said. “The pueblo is trying to hang onto and protect everything it’s got left.
“It’s been abused for a long time,” he said of the escarpment area. “There are a lot of good people, but there are also the ones who do damage. … We want to protect our land for our future generations.”
Pecos said he expects the area to remain closed indefinitely but that it is possible permits might be issued for special uses.
A resident of La Bajada village told the newspaper locals are upset and may enlist lawyers to allow visitors there again. But he acknowledged it was an uphill battle because the pueblo is a sovereign nation.
In the meantime, the village will hold a meeting July 15 to discuss La Bajada Hill right-of-way access for residents.
There’s some dispute on where pueblo and Santa Fe National Forest boundaries begin. But it seems both entities own at least part of La Bajada Hill.
There’s been at least one documented instance of graffiti painted on the mesa in 2005 (photo here), and there almost certainly are others. A warning about the vandalism at the time was “it might trigger a reaction to close off the entire area.”
“Roamin’ Rich” Dinkela erected a replica of a 1920s road sign at the top of the mesa in 2014 which, in retrospect, might have been ill-advised.
La Bajada also contains ancient Native American petroglyphs, so it’s easy to understand why the pueblo wants to protect those as well.
The listing for La Bajada Mesa by National Park Service discourages vehicles from going up Route 66’s old path because of the path’s badly eroded condition. Regardless, four-wheelers occasionally try to go up the mountain on the old Route 66 path. That may be another reason the pueblo is cutting off access.
Hiking the old highway always was the better option for various reasons.
The path up the side of the mountain was part of El Camino Real, dating to the 1600s. During the early 20th century, the trail became New Mexico Highway 1. It became Route 66 in 1926 until 1932.
If access to La Bajada Hill remains blocked to visitors indefinitely, it at least ought to serve as a cautionary tale for Route 66ers to follow the adage of visiting historic sites: “Take only photographs; leave with only memories.”
UPDATE 7/15/2017: The Albuquerque Journal published published a story about the La Bajada dispute between residents and the pueblo.
The pueblo cites littering and vandalism as reasons for closing access of the mesa to the public:
After those permits recently lapsed, Cochiti decided to fence the land to prevent further damage the pueblo maintains the property sustained over the years. He suspects damage and litter came from non-Native hikers and tourists.
Pecos said there was a hiker who would walk through pueblo land with a hammer and pound a specific boulder because it made a “bell-like” sound. The rock had significant petroglyphs that the tribe wants to preserve and the hammer did obvious damage. “For some, it’s recreation,” Pecos said. “For us, it’s a way of life.”
(Hat tip to Eric Swanger; vintage postcard of La Bajada Hill via 66Postcards.com)
In Response to LaBajada Hill. I am from Mn. I say close it off permanently so visitors can’t go up there. Install better blockade other than barb.
wire. Leave it for the pueblo. There has to be some historical facts, etc. for future generations to know what was here before.
Well said. I agree.
Not well said, disagree. There’s nothing Pueblo related there. El Camino Real was Spanish, not Pueblo. The Pueblo is 20 miles away, along the Rio Grande. If they want to “preserve” something they should advocate the destruction of the massive dam up the road from their historic village. But they won’t, because they make money off of Cochiti “Lake.” And they benefit from the flood control. But since they cannot make money off the slither of Land they control right now (apparently they are considering giving out permits for use in the future), they decided to just close it off and in the process piss off the neighbors – none of which belong to the Pueblo!
“Take only photographs; leave with only memories” says it all. This matter may very well serve as an important and valuable lesson for all current and future generations of Route 66’ers.
Private property is private property. The vast unoccupied open spaces of the Southwest are a lure for souvenir hunters. There remain many remote areas waiting to be explored. Usually you will get a good reception when permission is requested, Documenting exploits on the internet have an up side and a down side.
” an uphill battle” indeed. Here in the UK, many once open to the public “green lanes” have been closed or severely restricted because four-wheel-drive owners have destroyed or severely damaged the routes that were originally nothing more than farmers’ animal droving tracks.
If this section of Route 66 is to be leift in its original state – as a dirt road now effectively an isolated section of the famous interstate highway – then the only option is to close it to wheeled traffic. That is the case, whoever “owns” it.
As for the vandalism by who ever Dave and Mark are, at least it is only paint. Go to Stone Mountain outside Atalanta and you will find 19th century (yes 19th century) initials carved into the rock.
Here we have yet one more example of the world’s over-population in general. Too many people with conflicting desires to occupy or visit the same places. What is wrong with just looking at the hill? And/or walking it? A much healthier way of enjoying it than by driving it.
I will say this again I don’t live there, but people don’t need to go in there for any reason.
what it says is a Sovereign Nation that alone says it all. You residents that live there would you want outsiders coming on your property looking for keepsakes, mementos, etc. I don’t think so.. That should remain closed to the public. End of topic.
Pueblo de Cochiti needs to be able to protect their land and history from being destroyed by trespassers.
But if that history includes Route 66, do you want to change history? What would be wrong with people walking the old road?
reply to Eric Hayman, people don’t use there brain. people walk the old road up on the
Pueblo and someone is going to see something and they will start picking it up and next
there will be all kinds digging for artifacts to take home for keepsakes and there goes
history right out the window. If you can’t see what would happen. Wake up and smell the roses. amen
I can see what “might” happen. I do not damn everyone for the few. As for “artifacts” on a dirt road in open country, just what is there go “digging” for and “take home”? As I said, the problem lies in people in SUVs, etc treating the section as a test of their so-called driving skills and damaging the road’s surface and then making it unusable for anyone. As I said, I have seen that on unsurfaced lanes in the UK. Other possible problems are litter and fires. By the way, I am awake.
So much to respond to, don’t know where to begin… I can say, unlike probably all of you, I am an actual resident of New Mexico.
I’ve driven the old road many times, and if any of you actually knew what you were talking about, you would know that it does not require “so-called” driving skills, but actual skill and care. 90% of the hill is National Forest Land, and is open like all other Forest roads for recreation and sightseeing. The disputed area is mainly flat land with no opportunity for ANY vandalism or destruction, except perhaps the gate they have erected. As you approach the hill, in a spot not legally on their land according to the map, there is a possible opportunity – a historic bridge, now forbidden to route 66ers due to this closure. But a quick trip there reveals that there was NO vandalism!
My sentence “As I said, the problem lies in people in SUVs, etc treating the section as a test of their so-called driving skills and damaging the road’s surface and then making it unusable for anyone” refers to the many people who buy hulking four-wheel-drives just as a fashion statement or ego-booster, and have little idea how to drive them. In the UK that are known as Chelsea tractors.
Having driven dirt roads and tracks in Africa, Australia and in the UK, for work as well as pleasure, I am fully aware that it is not so much the vehicle but the driver’s driving ability that counts. Besides, driving on any road anywhere needs care. As does walking.
I didn’t see much “National Forest” in the picture.
Pt 2 –
Cochiti Pueblo is many miles away and this land, besides some petroglyphs that may or may not be related to the people’s there presently, has no connection to the pueblo. The settlement of La Bajada is a Spanish settlement. Before that, there was nothing there but lava rocks and golden grass.
One more thing, could someone explain the difference between petroglyphs, carving initials into trees, Spanish and pioneer inscriptions at El Morro, and “graffiti” left in 2005? I can tell you more how they’re related anthropologically…
Go to Stone Mountain outside Atlanta city and you will find 19th century petroglyphs – or are they 3D grafitti?
I understand what you were referring to, and that maybe true in many areas of the world, including here in New Mexico. It is, however, extremely difficult to traverse up this particular stretch of Route 66/NOTR/El Camino Real without a HIGH clearance 4×4, at speeds best described as “snails pace.”
As far as the “National Forest,” you’re right! It confuses many who are not from here how something can be designated as such if there is little or no vegetation. Regardless, it is actually owned by the National Forest Service. Other parts of 66 on the top heading towards Santa Fe are controlled by the Bureau of Land Management, State, and County gov’t.
Pt. 2
Its a big, confusing mess in our state as to who owns and controls what – that subject is certainly for another website, and another time – and as you can see from this article, not going away anytime soon.
As far as petroglyphs and graffiti, it’s interesting to note that on this particular stretch there are advertisements carved into the rocks from the 1920’s for various businesses along the route. Culturally significant, or just vandalism?
It’s a shame that all it takes is a few stupid savages with cans of spray paint and motorized miscreants with all-terrain vehicles to ruin it for everyone. I think an agreement can and should be arranged whereby those who wish to hike or bike on the road may do so, while the Cochiti Nation is empowered to take necessary steps to prevent vandalism on their land. I don’t see why some people can’t just look at something and passively enjoy/appreciate without feeling that they have to “mark territory” like an animal, thus ruining for those who follow.
You’re right, it is a shame – when it occurs. Other than the aforementioned gate, there is no opportunity, i.e. canvas, to “vandalize” on the land they legally, according to the State Land Office, control. Further up, sure there is. But it rarely if ever has occurred! They, and subsequently you, make it sound as if this place is tagged up like a boxcar. Well, as a person who has actually been there quite recently, I can assure you that is NOT the case!
Lane Stripe, that is what is called human nature. Some people will do something just for
meanness or out of spite and think it is funny. but do that to their property and cry like
babies.
“Take only photographs; leave with only memories” AND HOW IN THE HELL ARE WE SUPPOSED TO EVEN DO THAT, WHEN WE’VE BEEN BLOCKED FROM IT?
How about flying a drone with a camera above the hill? You may need cannons to fire back at anyone trying to shoot it down!
“Spanish not Pueblo” ??? I know you mean the road itself, but c’mon dude…
C’mon dude what? El Camino Real is Spanish for “The Royal Road.” Hence it was created by Spaniards. In fact, certain corridors were specifically chosen to AVOID Native populations (see:Jornada Del Muerto). So… c’mon dude.
I am trying to work out Thomas Studer’s “Spanish not Pueblo” phrase. Where has he found it? As to why an aboriginal people in what is now Usa would want to use Spanish is also beyond me.
@Chuck Tobias,… the La Bahada Hill was available for me and my TT500 Thumper Dirt Bike in 1996. Much in pueblo laws and wishes has changed in the past quarter century. Allow me to add that I didn’t recall seeing any spray paint grafitti, vandalism nor anything else causing harm to the existing historic pathway along oth sides of the hill back then. Just deep ruts and loose large roadway bed rocks along the outer edges of the road way. Shame I didn’t own a digital camera back in those days. All in all, a delightfully treacherous yet mild dirt bike adventure ride was enjoyed.
Reading up on the the history of the Cochiti, the hilly zig-zag has a lot more for anyone to start getting “historic” about than it having been part of Route 66 for a few decades in the 20th century. From how the invading murderous Spanish treated the Cochiti, I wonder how the continued use of Spanish terminology goes down with their descendants. Mind you, when one looks at how other Europeans have treated the aborigines of the Americas over half a millennium, it is hard to say if any foreign language is offence-free to them.
As for “certain corridors were specifically chosen to AVOID Native populations (see:Jornada Del Muerto)”, Wikipedia says, “Jornada del Muerto is translated loosely from Spanish, historically referring to it as the “Journey of the Dead Man”, a loose translations of “single day’s journey of the dead man”, hence “route of the dead man”. It was the name given by the Spanish conquistadors to the Jornada del Muerto Desert basin, particularly the dry 100-mile stretch of a route through it.” No mention of ‘charitable’ Spanish ‘conquistadors’ deliberately avoiding the people they brutally conquered – see the 1680 ‘Pueblo Revolt’, and the genocidal retributions meted out on the Cochiti and others. “The Royal Road of the Interior Lands” might better be called the “Invaders’ Road to the Interior Lands”. But then, the losers seldom get to write their history
Ken’s mention of “just deep ruts” reminds me of how fun-seeking off-roaders destroy dirt lanes and tracks originally intended for use only by farmers, etc. In parts of Africa, dirt roads are temporarily closed after heavy rain to prevent them from being badly damaged by the lorries that use them for work, not pleasure.
Just a quick observation, if you’ve never been to new mexico, there’s alot of stuff that would be hard to understand, the Spanish conquistadors came through hundreds of years ago and set up settlements that were here before the United States was even a country, were unfair things done?…some, were unfair things done to the native americans living here,? Well you need to ask by who and when, and the obvious answer is yes on many fronts…the various tribes had been at war with each other off and on for hundreds of years before that doing some pretty unfair things to each other, then later came american settlers, ( not making a good impression on either the native american or Spanish settlers, as a vast number of them were the dregs of society running from the law further east or taking advantage of those already there)…yet every one of us is proud to be New Mexican and for the most part have great respect for everyone who shares that love regardless of their heritage. A few tire tracks here and there dont make much of an impact on the landscape of New Mexico, but that’s not really what this is about, it’s about respect. To my fellow New Mexicans…remember to show it and this will all be worked out, to those who dont understand the culture and have never spent time here, feel free to come here and hug a tree, or better yet, a cactus sometime and be better equipped to share….just sayin
“yet every one of us is proud to be New Mexican” Can anyone explain how to be “proud” of living somewhere just because of being born there? Or having migrated there? Especially when one’s ancestors invaded and occupied the rightful owners’ land and property. As for the present day Cochiti, do they not benefit from what the current day descendants of the invaders and occupiers have done to the land? When is Year Zero?