Directions to Western Life Camp
from I-25, Exit 343, in Las Vegas, NM

Take Las Vegas Exit 343 from I-25.  If headed north (coming from Santa Fe), go left after the stop sign, under the highway (I-25).  If headed south (coming from Raton), go right after the stop sign.  In either case, you will be on Grand Ave. (although it is not marked).  Grand Ave. curves to the right.

Continue on Grand Ave. for about ¼-mile, and on the left there will be a small park where there is a big red caboose and a large red railroad-crossing sign.  Turn left, just before the park, on New Mexico Ave. (not marked).

Drive for just under 2 miles on New Mexico Ave.  It will curve to the right just before reaching a traffic light.  At this intersection, note the reading on your odometer (it might be a good idea to write it down).

Turn left onto Hot Springs Blvd.  Soon, on the right, can be observed a cluster of signs, including a Hwy 65 sign, along with mile markers to Montezuma (5 miles) and to El Porvenir (15 miles).  (Adhere to the posted speed limits on this road, as stops by the police are semi-frequent.)

A mile after the traffic light, on Hwy 65, there will be a green mile marker to the right with a 1 on it.  Continue on Hwy 65 (Hot Springs Blvd.); the road will curve to the left into Montezuma after mile marker 4.  The large United World College (castle) can be seen on a hill on the right.

About ½-mile after mile marker 5, continue on the main paved road as it veers right and begins a steep mountain climb.  A long, narrow pond can be seen down on the left.  The green mile markers will continue being seen on the right.

Drive carefully for the next few miles, as there will be many twists and turns and occasional oncoming traffic.  After a gradual climb, the pinnacle (“high point”) of the trip will be reached as your odometer reads about 7½ miles (from the traffic light intersection in town).  After this point, the road mostly will descend (continuing to twist and turn, although there still will be a few “ups” and “downs”).  After a few miles, the road will level out.

Soon after mile marker 11 is the tiny town of Gallinas (which means “Chicken”).  In the distance, Hermit’s Peak will be prominent.

After mile marker 12 (which is the last one you will see), a Gallinas Canyon and El Porvenir sign will be seen.  Soon thereafter will be an important intersection.  Stay left toward Gallinas Canyon; do not veer to the right toward El Porvenir.

Immediately to the right, after the intersection, will be 2 signs (one indicating Road “263” and the other “WARNING WINDING ROAD NEXT 2 MILES”).  Be careful on this road, as there are many blind curves and sometimes fast oncoming traffic.

Look at your odometer; there are about 2¼ miles remaining to reach Western Life Camp.  Soon on the left, you will see ponds created by beaver dams.  Along the way, also on the left, you will pass the ranch of actor Patrick Swayze.

Look for the Gallinas Canyon and Johnson Mesa sign on the right.  Soon thereafter, you will drive over a cattle guard.  Make an immediate left (toward Johnson Mesa); do not go straight.

The road will go downhill.  A small sign indicating Road “156” will be seen on the right, and soon thereafter on the left will be the Duplex Cabin.  Over the bridge and a few yards further, turn left into Western Life Camp.