Heading north on 350: The Complete Santa Fe Trail Byway
Traversing the historic landscapes of the American West, the Santa Fe Trail offers a journey through time. As you venture north on Highway 350, the Trail Byway beckons with tales of a bygone era, where commerce and culture mingled to define an epoch. Today, the journey is complemented by museums and information-filled broadcasts available on AM radio, providing an immersive exploration of the storied past.
Museums: Trail Information on AM Radio at 15.90 and 16.10
The Santa Fe National Historic Trail is not only marked by its scenic vistas but also by its dedication to educating travelers. As you drive, tune your AM radio to 15.90 or 16.10 wherever the Santa Fe Trail triangle sign is visible. These continuous broadcasts relay the rich history of the Mountain Branch, turning your auto tour into a narrated adventure through time.
Auto Tour: The Mountain Route Byway
Emblazoned with the distinctive Santa Fe National Historic Trail logo, the Auto Tour Route provides a tangible connection to history. Administered by the National Park Service and a network of partners, the route is meticulously marked along major highways that mirror the historic trail. Driving the Mountain Route offers a panoramic view of the past, with interpretive signs leading the way.
Events: Arm yourself with some good guide books!
To enhance your journey along the Trail, two essential guidebooks are recommended for the modern explorer: "The Santa Fe Trail Revisited" by Gregory M. Franzwa and "Following the Santa Fe Trail: A Guide for Modern Travelers" by Marc Simmons. These companions offer engaging narratives, detailed directions to historic sites, and maps to ensure a thorough and informed adventure.
The Complete Santa Fe Trail
Stretching 900 miles from Missouri to Santa Fe, the Santa Fe Trail witnessed the exchange of diverse cultures and goods. As a vibrant trade route, it bridged traditional divides and left a lasting impact that ripples through the American spirit. The trail, now meant for leisure and learning, offers visitors a window into the blend of activities and cultural experiences that shaped the great prairie highway of international commerce.
The Mountain Route
Unlike the one-way journeys of other trails, the Mountain Route stood out as a two-way street of commerce. Revel in the 188-mile stretch, a living museum sprinkled with landmarks, evidence of historical buildings, and natural wonders—traces of a route that once guided ambitious travelers toward the promise of profit and prosperity.
Trail Information on AM Radio at 15.90 and 16.10, Auto Tour
Focusing on the segment known as the Mountain Branch, information is readily available on AM Radio at 15.90 and 16.10. This audial guide serves as a companion to the visual markers, enriching the Route Byway experience with historical contexts and anecdotes.
Heading North on Hwy. 350
Whether you start from the south, east, or north, your entry into the Mountain Branch brings you through welcome centers like beacons of hospitality. They offer a launching pad into an odyssey marked by historical intrigue and the serene beauty of the trail. Here, volunteer staff are ever-ready with brochures, maps, and a warm welcome that will usher you into the heart of the Mountain Branch.
Immersing yourself into the historic Santa Fe Trail, you embark on more than just a road trip. It is an experiential tapestry woven through vibrant stories, epic landscapes, and the lingering spirit of adventure. As you tread this well-preserved path, you find yourself a part of the living narrative that is the Mountain Branch of the Santa Fe Trail, a journey that reconnects you with the pioneering spirit of travel that shaped the American West.