From Velarde (twelve miles north of Espanola) for seventy miles
northward to the Colorado state line, the Rio Grande Gorge is carved 500
to 800 feet into black basalt flows and tan Santa Fe Formation layers.
Fishing is exciting in the fast waters, although the northern part of
the gorge is difficult to reach. Foot and horseback trails lead to the
bottom at the mouth of Red River west of Questa where picnic units have
been built.