Forest Development Road 150: Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, New Mexico

FOREST DEVELOPMENT ROAD 150 is a rough, unpaved, and narrow mountain road with many steep sections and several hairpin turns; high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended, and four-wheel-drive may be a neccessary feature depending on the condition of the road at any given time. Furthermore, it's advised that trailers over 20 feet are dangerous. This section of road has been abandoned by the State of New Mexico from its highway system, and is maintained only twice a year by the Forest Service. This road may be closed during bad weather at any time of year, and during times of snow travelling on it is outright forbidden. Check road conditions for this and other mountain roads before leaving if any doubt of their being passable exists. An Alternate Loop, which more than doubles the length of the tour - but is very scenic and interesting - is available. Your intrepid (but cautious) webmaster has traveled this section but once, doing so in a one-ton two-wheel-drive pickup with duallies. Drive time for the 46-mile stretch was about five hours, not including an unanticipated night of wilderness camping. Emerging on the other side, the final tally included a blown rear tire, a thrown front brake pad, and a turn signal housing that simply vanished from the front of the truck. But, to be fair, plenty of people have gone through without mishap. But ya takes yer chances. Travel this road at your own risk! Bring a detailed map of the area (not an atlas, and not the map provided on this website or in the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway brochures - get a good one from the Ranger Station in Truth or Consequences), bring water, bring food, sleeping bag or blankets, toilet paper... The Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway Committee may work with the Forest Service and/or Grant County in the future to acquire an easement for the entire length of Forest Development Road 150. If this is accomplished, an upgraded maintenance schedule will be pursued.
	Please note that there is no gasoline available on the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway west of Truth or Consequences / Williamsburg and Elephant Butte. This is the majority of the Trail, which runs through some very remote countryside. Fill your tank before you leave! Gasoline is available on Side Trip 5; or, if you choose to follow the Alternate Loop, gas is available at Silver City. Please also note that bridges between Caballo and Hillsboro bear twelve-foot, six-inch height restrictions; and the Forest Service advises not only that trailers over twenty feet are unsafe on Forest Development Road 150, but that low-clearance / non-four-wheel-drive vehicles travel that section of the Trail at their own risk.
What's on the web about the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness Areas?
(This will take you to our Links page.)
Next stop on the E-Tour: Wall Lake...
	Enjoy the nature, history, and culture of southwest New Mexico - but don't disturb the natural, historical, and cultural sites. Do not remove, destroy, or deface anything on any site; strict laws protect artifacts on State, Federal, Indian, and private lands. Buying, selling, trading, or transporting these stolen items is also illegal. Please report looting and vandalism to federal land management authorities or the local sheriff. Hide all traces of your travels as the Apache hid their passing so these wildlands may remain unspoiled, the historical sites may remain true to their history, and the developed sites may remain clean and pleasant. Thank you.