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Dominguez Escalante Trail Historical Marker

Location of sign - SR 285 just north of Espanola, New Mexico

Photo taken- July 2008

Text of sign:

Dominguez Escalante Trail

On July 29, 1776, two Franciscans, Fray Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante set out on 

horseback on an expedition from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Monterey, California.  The purpose of the expedition was two-fold:

to open communications between the two missions (Santa Fe and Monterey) and to convert the Indians (Utes and Havasupais) 

between pueblo land and the Pacific Coast.  The party did not reach Monterey, however, but only got as far as the Utah Basin.  

Due to the onset of winter weather, lack of provisions and frequent desertion of Indian guides, their goal was reconsidered, 

causing much dissention.  Lots were cast to continue on or to return to Santa Fe.  Thus it was decided to return to Santa Fe.

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