From Farmington to Santa Fe: A Late Winter Drive Through Northern New Mexico
March in northern New Mexico has a way of catching you off guard. My wife and I had planned a scenic drive from Farmington to Santa Fe, but an overnight snowstorm nearly trapped us before we could even get started. Roads were briefly shut down while we were staying in Farmington — the kind of surprise weather twist that makes you grateful for flexible plans and warm coffee.
Layered cliffs near Ghost Ranch dusted in snow — the same landscapes that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe’s iconic works.
When the roads finally reopened the next morning, we hit the highway with snow still clinging to the desert hills, mesas, and forests — a surreal mix of red rock and powder white that you don’t often get to see in this part of the Southwest.
Rolling high desert terrain just south of Farmington — snow-covered and tinted with early spring light.
One of the highlights came near Ghost Ranch, where striped cliffs in warm hues of pink, yellow, and ochre rose up from the snowy desert floor. It’s no wonder these landscapes captured the imagination of Georgia O’Keeffe, who spent decades painting the forms and colors of this region. Even dusted with snow, the sculpted geology felt alive with movement and meaning.
Mount Cabezon rises through low clouds and fresh snow — a striking volcanic remnant along the New Mexico horizon.
Farther down the road, Mount Cabezon emerged like a monolith from the snow-blanketed landscape. Low clouds swirled around its base, making it look like a peak from a dream.
Cattle forage through snow-covered brush near the highway — signs of life amid the frozen stillness.
We passed through rolling desert hills, snow-covered junipers, and rugged canyon walls, each turn in the road offering something new to photograph. One of my favorite shots from the day was of a lone cow grazing in the middle of a frozen, bushy expanse — a quiet reminder of how life adapts out here.
Golden cliffs layered in snow along the drive toward Abiquiú — a dramatic mix of rock and winter silence.
As we got closer to Santa Fe, the terrain shifted again — denser pine forests with golden sandstone cliffs peeking out from behind snow-frosted trees. These scenes felt more alpine than desert, like northern Arizona or southern Colorado, and they were a beautiful way to end the drive.
Frost-laced pines against a crystal-clear blue sky — a quiet, alpine moment in the high desert.
This was one of those unplanned journeys that reminded me why I keep my camera close and my schedule open. New Mexico has a rhythm all its own — sometimes harsh, sometimes magical, and always worth capturing.
