Española in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Dominguez Escalante Trail

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2013

1. Dominguez Escalante Trail Marker

Inscription. On July 29, 1776, two Franciscans, Fray Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante set out on horseback on an expedition from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Monterey, California. The purpose of the expedition was two-fold: to open communications between the two-missions (Santa Fe and Monterey) and to convert the Indians (Utes and Havasupais) between pueblo land and the Pacific Coast. The party did not reach Monterey, however, but only got as far as the Utah Basin. Due to the onset of winter weather, lack of provisions and frequent desertion of Indian guides, their goal was reconsidered, causing much dissension. Lots were cast to continue on or to return to Santa Fe. Thus it was decided to turn back to Santa Fe.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Dominguez y Escalante Expedition series list. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1842.

Location. 36° 1.662′ N, 106° 5.556′ W.

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Marker is in Española, New Mexico, in Rio Arriba County. It is on Chama Highway (U.S. 84 at milepost 191.1), close to Española, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Espanola NM 87532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern New Mexico.

It is also in the American Southwest,

in the Mountain West,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Española Valley (approx. 0.9 miles away); Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (approx. 2.2 miles away); Esther Martinez - P’oe Tsáwäˀ (1912-2006) (approx. 2.4 miles away); San Gabriel (approx. 2.4 miles away); The Bond House (approx. 2.6 miles away); Chimayo Trading Post / Trujillo House (approx. 2.8 miles away); Santa Cruz de la Cañada / Santa Cruz Plaza on the Camino Real (approx. 3.6 miles away);

Reverse of Dominguez Escalante Trail Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2013

2. Reverse of Dominguez Escalante Trail Marker

Pablita Velarde, Tse Tsan, Golden Dawn (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Española.

Also see . . . Dominguez-Escalante Expedition. Wikipedia entry. Excerpt: “The first night of the journey they stayed overnight at the Santa Clara pueblo, north of Santa Fe, and from there they ‘traveled nine leagues, more or less, and arrived at the pueblo of Santa Rosa de Abiquiú, where because of various circumstances we remained on the 31st without traveling, and where by means of a Solemn Mass we again implored the aid of our most holy patrons’.” (Submitted on May 3, 2014.)

Additional keywords. Old Spanish Trail

Photographed by J. J. Prats, April 28, 2013

3. Dominguez Escalante Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,537 times since then and 63 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 3, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.