Cloudcroft in Otero County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Cloud-Climbing Railroad

Photographed by Wyndfire, September 3, 2012

1. Cloud-Climbing Railroad Marker

Inscription. In order to provide timber for the construction of his El Paso & Northeastern Railroad north of Alamagordo, Charles B. Eddy in 1898 built a spur into the Sacramento Mountains. The line operated as far as Cloudcroft until 1947. The Cloudcroft Trestle is all that remains.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 32° 57.855′ N, 105° 44.848′ W. Marker is in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, in Otero County. It is on U.S. 82, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1656 Route 82, Cloudcroft NM 88317, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Mexico’s Pecos Valley. It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Restoring a Local Treasure (within shouting distance of this marker); Boarding the "Balley-Claire" (within shouting distance of this marker); A Mountain Excursion (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Cloud-Climbing Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Trabajando en las Nubes / Working in the Clouds (within shouting distance of this marker); A Place of Plenty (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Historic Route of the Alamogordo & Sacramento Mountain Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); From the Ashes (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cloudcroft.

Back of Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wyndfire, September 2, 2012

2. Back of Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, April 27, 2014

3. Cloud-Climbing Railroad Marker

Cloudcroft Trestle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wyndfire, September 3, 2012

4. Cloudcroft Trestle

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2012, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. This page has been viewed 1,464 times since then and 76 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2012, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. 3. submitted on May 4, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on September 4, 2012, by Jennifer W. of Las Cruces, New Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.