New Mexico State Road 161 Explained

State:NM
Type:SR
Route:161
Map Custom:yes
Map Notes:NM 161 highlighted in red
Maint:NMDOT
Length Mi:31.902
Length Round:3
Length Ref:[1]
Direction A:CW
Terminus A: near La Cueva
Junction: near Watrous
in Watrous
Direction B:CCW
Terminus B: Fort Union National Monument
Counties:Mora
Previous Type:US
Previous Route:160
Next Type:NM
Next Route:162

State Road 161 (NM 161) is a 31.902-longNaN-long state highway in northeastern New Mexico. NM 161 begins in the west at its junction with NM 518 several miles south of the unincorporated community of La Cueva. The road travels southeast through remote, sparsely populated land before reaching a junction with Interstate 25 (I-25) south of Watrous. From there, the road turns northeast and briefly parallels I-25 before cutting back to the northwest, where it intersects I-25 again, then continues north for roughly seven miles before terminating at Fort Union National Monument. Shortly before reaching Fort Union, NM 161 crosses the former path of the Santa Fe Trail which is still visible as a broad, shallow ditch or low spot in the terrain.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Posted Route - Legal Description. 38. New Mexico Department of Transportation. March 16, 2010. December 26, 2013.