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<\/a>Mountain bikers and backcountry equestrians were present with their horses, a reenactment honor guard of Spanish presidial soldiers carried the royal banner, and attendees could listen to music and participate in Junior Ranger activities. Several speakers provided commentary about three centuries of travel and history and how this trail profoundly influenced the culture and customs of the southwest\u2014the catalyst that formed New Mexico’s multicultural society that endures and flourishes in the modern era. The trail traverses the original route traveled by Juan de O\u00f1ate\u2019s 1598 Spanish expedition to establish \u201cNuevo M\u00e9xico.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nOn August 18, 1598, the expedition arrived at the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, on the west banks of the Rio Grande. Ohkay Owingeh is just north of Diablo Canyon. As governor of this new territory, O\u00f1ate proclaimed the village as\u00a0<\/span>San Juan de los Caballeros<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(St. John of the Knights), the capital of New Mexico and the northern terminus of El Camino Real. Later he relocated across the river to Yung\u00e9 pueblo, which he called\u00a0<\/span>San Gabriel de los Espa\u00f1oles<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(St. Gabriel of the Spaniards).\u00a0<\/span>From these roots grew <\/span>La Villa Real de\u00a0Santa Fe <\/span><\/i>(the Royal City of Santa Fe)<\/span>. <\/span>The city emerged as the hub of the overland continental trade network linking Mexico and United States markets\u2014a network that included not only El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, but also the Santa Fe Trail and the Old Spanish Trail. All three of these national historic trails meet in Santa Fe.<\/span><\/p>\nUnless otherwise indicated, all material in Pathways Across America is public domain. All views expressed herein are perspectives of individuals working on behalf of the National Trails System and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the Federal agencies.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"by Terry Heslin, National Trails Lead with\u00a0Bureau of Land Management New Mexico On June 2, 2018, more than 100 outdoor and history enthusiasts gathered on Buckman Road at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Dead Dog Trailhead of the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro… <\/p>\n
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