
The Gilman Tunnels in New Mexico are a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike. With stunning views of the box canyon and the Jemez Mountains, it's no wonder that many people want to drive through these historic tunnels. But can a pop-up camper make its way through? The tunnels are narrow and only one car can pass at a time, so it's important to consider the size of your vehicle before attempting the drive. While virtually any non-commercial vehicle will fit, it's always good to be cautious and plan ahead. So, if you're planning a trip to New Mexico and want to include the Gilman Tunnels, be sure to choose the right vehicle for the journey.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Location | Jemez Mountains, New Mexico |
Address | State Highway 485, Jemez Springs, Sandoval County, New Mexico |
Length of South Tunnel | 100 feet |
Length of North Tunnel | 125 feet |
Road Type | Paved but very narrow with sharp and blind curves |
Vehicle Type | Any non-commercial vehicle |
Traffic | Light, heavier on summer weekends |
Closures | December 15 to April 15 due to snow and poor road conditions |
Other Information | No phone reception in the area |
What You'll Learn
Gilman Tunnels: Yes, pop-up campers can go through
The Gilman Tunnels, also known as the Jemez Tunnels, are located in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, USA. The tunnels were originally constructed in the 1920s as part of the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway to transport logs from the Jemez Mountains. After the railway was discontinued, the tunnels were converted into a road, now known as Forest Road 376 or State Highway 485.
The road through the Gilman Tunnels is paved but very narrow, with only enough space for one vehicle to pass at a time. The south tunnel is approximately 100 feet long, while the north tunnel is about 125 feet long. The tunnels are accessible by non-commercial vehicles, including pop-up campers, but it is important to check the height and width of your vehicle to ensure it can fit through the narrow passage. The road beyond the north tunnel turns into a gravel road, Forest Service Road 376, which may not be suitable for all vehicles.
The Gilman Tunnels offer stunning views of the box canyon and the Guadalupe River below. Visitors can also enjoy exploring the river and climbing the rocks outside the tunnel, although rock climbing within the box canyon is not permitted. The tunnels have served as a filming location for several Hollywood movies, including "The Scorch Trials", "The Lone Ranger", and "3:10 to Yuma".
When planning a visit to the Gilman Tunnels, it is important to check the road conditions beforehand. The road is typically closed from mid-December to mid-April due to snow and poor road conditions. It may also be closed at other times due to falling rocks and debris. There are limited amenities at the site, and no phone reception, so visitors should come prepared.
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The tunnels are located in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico
The Gilman Tunnels are located in the Jemez Mountains, New Mexico, specifically in the southwestern part of the range. They are part of the Jemez National Recreation Area, on the Santa Fe National Forest. The tunnels are accessed by driving northwest from the Walatowa Visitor Center, along NM 485, a paved but narrow road. Alternatively, they can be reached from the north, via an unpaved route—Forest Road 376, which heads south off NM 126, several miles east of Fenton Lake.
The tunnels are situated in the transition zone between the Jemez Mountains and the Sierra Nacimiento. The Jemez Mountains are part of a volcanic field that has been active for the past 12 million years. The Sierra Nacimiento, meanwhile, has a long and complex geological history, with a formation dating back around 75 million years.
The tunnels were carved out of 1.6 billion-year-old granitic gneiss in the 1920s, to facilitate the passage of logging trains through the Guadalupe Canyon. The route was originally part of the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway, which was used to transport logs from the Jemez Mountains to a sawmill in Bernalillo. The railway was shut down in 1941 due to flooding, and the tunnels were later converted into a road.
Today, the road through the tunnels is known as State Highway 485, or Forest Road 376. It is a winding, paved road with sharp and blind curves, offering stunning views of the box canyon and the Guadalupe River below. The road is usually closed from mid-December to mid-April due to snow and poor road conditions.
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They were originally used for a logging railroad
The Gilman Tunnels, also known as the Jemez Tunnels, were originally used for a logging railroad. In the early 1900s, the tunnels formed part of the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway (SFNW) route, which was used to haul lumber from the Jemez Mountains. The two narrow and unusually high tunnels were carved out of 1.6 billion-year-old granitic gneiss in the 1920s, facilitating the passage of logging trains through the rugged and constricted Guadalupe Canyon, specifically the Guadalupe Box.
The Santa Fe Northwestern Railway was used for around two decades to transport logs from the Jemez Mountains. The logs were harvested in the western Jemez Mountains and taken by narrow-gauge railroad to a sawmill in Bernalillo. In the 1930s, the tunnels were enlarged to accommodate logging trucks. Logs were then hauled out of the mountains, loaded onto trains at the Gilman logging camp, which was established in 1937 about two miles south of the tunnels.
The railroad never fully recovered from the 1929 Wall Street Crash and ceased operations in 1941 due to flood damage from the Guadalupe River. After the railroad was retired, the tunnels were converted into a road, now known as Forest Road 376 or State Highway 485. This road is usually closed from December 15 to April 15 due to snow and poor road conditions.
The tunnels are located in northern New Mexico, near the town of Jemez Springs in Sandoval County. They are named after William H. Gilman, a Santa Fe Northwestern Railway executive.
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The road through the tunnels is called State Highway 485
The road through the Gilman Tunnels is called State Highway 485, or Forest Road 376 as it's also known. This 3.9-mile-long (6.3 km) state highway is located in the US state of New Mexico and passes through the Jemez Mountains. The road is entirely paved but very narrow with sharp and blind curves, and offers stunning views of the box canyon and Guadalupe River below.
Highway 485 passes through land belonging to the pueblo near the Nacimiento Mountains and follows the canyon of the Rio Guadalupe until the pavement ends. The highway intersects and adjoins the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway. As you approach the tunnels, the designation changes to Forest Road 376. The continuation of this road eventually terminates northwest of the tunnels at New Mexico State Road 126, east of San Pedro Parks Wilderness.
The Gilman Tunnels are a remarkable feat of engineering, blasted out of 1.6 billion-year-old rock in the 1920s to facilitate the passage of logging trains. The tunnels are quite high and offer a unique perspective of the surrounding landscape. They were formerly used in the mid-1920s for about two decades to transport logs from the Jemez Mountains using the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway. The railway opened in 1924 but ceased operations in 1941 due to flood damage.
Today, the tunnels are a popular tourist attraction and a great road trip experience. The road is usually closed from December 15 to April 15 due to snow and poor road conditions. It can also be closed at any time due to falling rocks and debris. The road through the tunnels is very narrow and can accommodate only one vehicle at a time, so it's important to be cautious when driving through.
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The tunnels are named after William H. Gilman
William H. Gilman was the CEO of the SFNW Rail Road. The railway was used in the early 1900s to transport lumber from the Jemez. The route was particularly rugged and constricted, passing through solid granite rock in the Guadalupe Box, a narrow box canyon. The railway was eventually retired, allowing the tunnels to become one of New Mexico's most interesting stretches of road.
The tunnels were originally carved out of 1.6 billion-year-old granitic gneiss in the 1920s, with the larger south tunnel measuring 100 feet long and the north tunnel 125 feet. The route was part of the former Santa Fe Northwestern Railway, facilitating the passage of logging trains through the Guadalupe Canyon. Logs harvested in the western Jemez Mountains were transported by narrow-gauge railroad to a sawmill in Bernalillo. The tunnels were enlarged in the 1930s to accommodate logging trucks, with the Gilman logging camp established in 1937 about two miles south of the tunnels.
The railway shut down in 1941 due to flood damage from the Guadalupe River. The tunnels were then converted into what is now Forest Road 376, a remarkable road trip route offering stunning views of the box canyon and the Guadalupe River below.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, virtually any non-commercial vehicle can go through the tunnels. However, the road is very narrow and only one vehicle can pass at a time.
The south tunnel is 100 feet long and the north tunnel is 125 feet long.
The road, State Highway 485, is paved but very narrow with sharp and blind curves. It is not recommended for passenger vehicles. The road is usually closed from December 15 to April 15 due to snow and poor road conditions.
The tunnels offer stunning views of the box canyon and the Guadalupe River. There is also a beautiful waterfall and plenty of rocks to climb on and rest on.
There are no amenities at the site and limited parking. Visitors can access the river, but rock climbing is not permitted. There is no phone reception in the area.