A recent article written by Friends board member, Andres Romero, was published in the New Mexico Military Museum newsletter. With his permission I’ve reposted it on the Friends website.
Category: Civil War Trail
Hiking at the Civil War Trail in Glorieta
During our time of social distancing, there are a few places that you can get away from the house, get some exercise, breath some fresh air and still stay a healthy distance from folks. The Pecos National Historical Park has the 2.3 mile Civil War Trail the takes you up and down hills through the trees and tells a story of the historic battlefield of Glorieta Pass.
The trail is located behind a locked gate, but you can get the gate code at the Visitor Center at the main park. Be sure to lock the gate after you go in and when you leave. This code changes regularly, so when the park Visitor Center opens again, you’ll need to call for a new one. It’s a little tricky to find.
Here are driving directions:
- Take Interstate 25 Exit 299 and Hwy 50 toward Pecos.
- Turn right at La Joya Road. Watch the speed bumps there are several!
- Turn right at Old Denver Hwy and drive to the end of the road to the locked gate.
- Since the Visitor Center is closed for the moment, the gate code is 9506.
Visitor Center phone: (505) 757-7241
Park website: www.nps.gov/peco
Glorieta Pass Battlefield Monument Clean Up




NM volunteers to be recognized for Battle of Glorieta Pass role
A recent article in the Albuquerque Journal tells the story about how the New Mexico Volunteers gain recognition for the part in the Battle of Glorieta Pass.
Pecos NHP Honors Veterans Day and Those Who Fought in the Battle of Glorieta Pass
Did you know that the Union and Confederate armies fought a Civil War battle on what is now the grounds of Pecos National Historical Park? The 1862 Battle of Glorieta Pass helped to decide much of the fate of the American West in the Civil War. Confederates sought to control large portions of the American West and its gold fields so as to fund the Southern war effort. Union forces successfully defended the territory and its denizens from the Texan army. Over the course of the three-day battle, Americans on both sides fought and died for the nation’s future as the Confederate war effort in New Mexico failed.
Historians debate the true number of dead and wounded from the Battle of Glorieta Pass; contradictory numbers, the number of wounded who later died, desertion, and poor record-keeping all contribute to questions of exactly how many soldiers died from the battle. Therefore, the physical cost of the battles of New Mexico remains shrouded by the mysteries of the past.
This Veterans Day, November 11th, Pecos National Historical Park will memorialize those who lost their lives in the Battle of Glorieta Pass with small flags. The 175 flags will be placed near the historic Pigeon’s Ranch building in the Glorieta Unit of Pecos National Historical Park along State Highway 50 outside of Pecos. Each flag represents one of the 175 soldiers who died either at the battle or later from their wounds. As you drive by the area, please remember those who have given their lives in service to their country.
For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like on us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps).