Kewa near Peña Blanca in Sandoval County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

La Bajada

Photographed by Chris English, October 24, 2012

1. La Bajada Marker # 2

Inscription.

This black volcanic escarpment is one of New Mexico's most important landmarks. The descent (bajada) of this escarpment marked the traditional division between New Mexico's upper (Rio Arriba) and lower (Rio Abajo) districts. Over the centuries, several trails and roads were developed to overcome this most difficult of obstacles along the Camino Real.

Erected by New Mexico Tourism Department, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 35° 32.478′ N, 106° 16.689′ W. Marker is near Peña Blanca, New Mexico, in Sandoval County. It is in Kewa. It is at the intersection of State Road 16 at milepost 20 and Indian Service (Road 841), on the right when traveling east on State Road 16. The marker is approximately 6.5 miles west of Interstate 25. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santo Domingo Pueblo NM 87052, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in one of the Southern Pueblos, in the New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley,

in the San Juan

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Basin,

and in Greater Albuquerque.

It is also in the American Southwest

and at the Four Corners.

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 territory of the Ancestral Puebloans,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pueblo of Santo Domingo Kiua (approx. 4.2 miles away); Kewa Women's Co-op (approx. 4.9 miles away); Women of Cochiti (approx. 6.7 miles away); Gold and Turquoise (approx. 6.9 miles away); Amelia Elizabeth White / Mary Cabot Wheelwright (approx. 6.9 miles away); Bicentennial Celebration / La Bajada (approx. 6.9 miles away); Maria Gertrudis Barceló (approx. 6.9 miles away); Laura Gilpin (1891-1979) (approx. 6.9 miles away).

View E, La Bajada Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, October 24, 2012

2. View E, La Bajada Marker

View S, La Bajada Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, October 24, 2012

3. View S, La Bajada Marker

View W, La Bajada Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, October 24, 2012

4. View W, La Bajada Marker

View N, La Bajada Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Chris English, October 24, 2012

5. View N, La Bajada Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,887 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 27, 2012, by Chris English of Phoenix, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.