New Mexico’s Scenic South - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 507

word meaning ''noisy.'' It's a mountain resort town, a bit larger and brassier than Cloud-
croft, named not for its hubbub but for its gurgling stream.
5. Sierra Blanca
The White Mountain—Sierra Blanca—has been in sight over much of the drive, its bold
12,003-foot summit visible wherever the view is unobstructed. In summer its slopes are
speckled with asters, sunflowers, and other wildlings. Come winter, downhill skiers flock
to Ski Apache, a resort run by the Mescalero Apache Indians. To reach the ski area, follow
StateRte.532,anarrow,twistingroad.StopoffenrouteattheWindyPointVistaLookout,
where on clear days the views take in mountains up to 100 miles away.
6. Smokey Bear Historical State Park
Back on State Rte. 48 the drive maneuvers down mountain slopes lush with a nearly con-
tinuous forest of pines and firs. At lower elevations piñon and juniper trees decorate the
foothills, which in turn give way to the basin floor and Capitan, a hub for the area's ranch-
ers since 1900. Capitan's real claim to fame, however, began when a bear cub was dis-
covered clinging to a tree in the wake of a devastating forest fire in 1950. Rescued and
cared for, the little foundling went on to achieve lasting fame as the country's symbol for
fire prevention: Smokey Bear. At the historical state park, visitors can learn all about the
popular bear and follow a short path to Smokey's grave.
7. Valley of Fires
Underscoring yet again the region's dramatic diversity, the drive dips out of the cool forest
via Rte. 380 and leads to the Valley of Fires. Scorched by red-hot rivers of lava some
1,500 years ago, the land today lies buried beneath black volcanic rock, a jagged realm of
ridges and caves. Though mostly barren, this recreation area has been colonized here and
there by tenacious, drought-resistant desert plants. A three-quarter-mile loop trail traverses
a cracked terrace of sandstone, then leads directly onto the solidified lava flow.
8. Three Rivers Petroglyph Site
The drive's last leg follows Rte. 54 south through the barren depths of the Tularosa Basin
to one of the country's largest collections of ancient rock etchings, or petroglyphs. Carved
centuries ago by the Jornada Mogollon Indians, this remarkable desert display includes
depictions of symbolic figures, sunbursts, masks, rattlesnakes, and much more. Standing
amid this gallery of primitive art, you are also treated to a grand panorama: Sierra Blanca