Rock retaining walls of basalt and a new gravel surface gave the road some needed dignity. In the 1920s, the top half of the climb was rerouted on a gentler alinement just to the east of the old route. In 1934, the Highway Department moved the road three miles to the east to the same route currently used by Interstate 25. Early automobile users often left their mark on the black basalts along the road on La Bajada Hill. The long history of travel up the escarpment is chronicled on the rocks along the route.
Historic structures are easy to locate along the grade.
On the bottom switchbacks and near the top of the hill, basalt retaining walls support the road bed. Ruts from the old wagon road as still visible about halfway up the hill, just to the left and below the current road surface. I continued my ride to the top of the cliff where I stopped to rest my thighs and stare at the scenery. On the plain below, faint wagon ruts were visible, leading to the foot of the cliff at the village of La Bajada. And yet, behind me on the mesa top stretched a grasslands lapping up to the foothills where the security and comfort of Santa Fe would be another day away.