Domínguez Escalante Trail

Rio Arriba County · US 84 -- Española vicinity -- north of Española · location approximate

On July 25, 1776, two Franciscans, Fray Francisco Atanasio Domínguez and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante set out on horseback on an expedition from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Monterrey, California. The purpose of the expedition was two-fold; to open communications between the two missions (Santa Fe and Monterrey) and to convert the Indians (Utes and Havasupais) between pueblo land and the Pacific Coast. The party did not reach Monterey, however, but only got as far as the Utah Basin. Due to the onset of winter weather, lack of provisions and frequent desertion of Indian guides, their goal was reconsidered, causing much dissension. Lots were cast to continue on or to return to Santa Fe. Thus it was decided to turn back to Santa Fe.

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Marker data: Official Scenic Historic Markers program, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, Department of Cultural AffairsMarker texts come from the Division’s published marker spreadsheet, reproduced with the Division’s written permission. Where that spreadsheet records a coordinate, the pin is the Division’s own; where it records only a highway and mile marker, an address, a junction or a named place, or where its coordinate contradicts its own highway, mile and county, the pin is ours, resolved on public road and place data and marked approximate.

Domínguez Escalante Trail

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