From Cloudcroft to Alamogordo is 16 miles of twists and turns all the while dropping down from about 11,000 feet to about 4,000 feet. Great view of white sands as you ride. A short tunnel through the mountain with a nice little spot to turn off and enjoy the view. Temperature may be in the 50s in Cloudcroft, 110 in Alamogordo.
stkmkt1Artesia and Alamogordo themselves are nothing special, but the middle is spectacular. US Route 82, Lovington Highway, is the start of a very scenic route. As you transition from the open grasslands youd think your leaving Texas. The road gently climbs up into the wooded mountains of the Lincoln National Forest, birthplace of Smokey the Bear. There are some nice straights, but up in Cloudcroft, the scenery picks up. Then is where you fall down into the Central NM Rift and end up in Alamogordo, where there is food fuel and lodging. A quick trip south to White Sands National Part is highly recommended. Für die, die Deutsches sprechen, es ein Geschwader der Tornados geben so, die dort am Holloman Luftwaffenstützpunkt, eine überraschende Zahl von den deutschen Familien und Geschäfte hier gegründet werden.
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