History of the Corazón de los Caminos Chapter
The Corazón de los Caminos (“Heart of the Trails”) Chapter was founded in 1990 to promote awareness of the Trail and its history, help preserve Trail sites, mark important Trail locations, and preserve the side trails. The chapter encompasses Colfax, Mora, and San Miguel (east of the Pecos River) counties in northeastern New Mexico.
Trail sites along some 300 miles within the chapter’s area include Tecolote, Las Vegas, Loma Parda, Fort Union, Ocaté Crossing, Rayado, Cimarron, Raton Pass, Wagon Mound, Springer, the Rock Crossing of the Canadian River, and Point of Rocks (see, 'Major Project' below).
Remains of the Trail can be seen from Interstate 25 between Wagon Mound and Las Vegas, and along NM 21, US 64, and US 56.
The Corazón de los Caminos chapter meets monthly March through November for field trips, lectures, and special access to wagon swales on private land. You will meet interesting people, get a little exercise, see some beautiful country, and learn a lot about the historic Santa Fe Trail in northeastern New Mexico from antílope to zaguáns.
The Chapter’s officers are:
President, Bill Soderman, 505/425-9435
Vice President, Faye Gaines, 505/485-2473
Harry Myers, secretary
Helen Geer, treasurer
Henri Vander Kolk
Frances Casey
John Gamertsfelder
Chuck Hinkle
Location and Directions
The chapter’s northern boundary is the top of Raton Pass at the Colorado state line. The eastern boundary could be Point of Rocks Ranch in Colfax County. The southwestern boundary is east of the Pecos River at San Miguel del Vado.
Major Project
Members of the Corazón Chapter assisted the Santa Fe Trail New Mexico National Scenic Byway and the National Park Service to mark Santa Fe National Historic Trail Crossings in northeastern New Mexico, with a grant funded by the Federal
Highway Administration.
 Gateway
into Point of Rocks Ranch, east of Springer, NM. The crossing
sign is at right rear of the white car. Contact Faye Gaines,
505/485-2473, fayegaines@yahoo.com,
for details.
Jim Kowal, Gary Gaines, and Ray
Marchi install the Ocaté
Crossing
Sign between Rayado
& Fort Union.
(Photo by Eileen Kowal.)
Membership
Anyone interested in the Santa Fe Trail is
welcome to join. Membership in the Corazón de los
Caminos Chapter begins at just $10 per year for individuals
or $15 for families. To
download our membership form, click here.
Chapter members are also strongly encouraged
to join the Santa Fe Trail Association, where membership
begins at $25 for individuals and $30 for families. To
download the SFTA membership form, click here.
Art Source: The painting featured at the top of this page was done by artist and SFTA member Doug Holdread. Visit Doug's Website
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