JORNADA

NAME: Jornada
COUNTY: Sierra
ROADS: 2WD
GRID: 5
CLIMATE: Hot, hot summers.
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime
COMMENTS: Jornada: post office 1903/1940; mail to San Marcial.
REMAINS: Inquire locally
Jornada: on at&sf rr, 37 mi N of Hatch. Jornada Del Muerto. Socorro, Sierra, Dona Ana counties. Span. 'journey of death'. This celebrated topographic feature lay on the carvan routes from Chihuahua to Santa Fe, and was chosen for travel because it shortened the route by at least a day. It was a waterless stretch for nearly 90 miles from Rincon to San Marcial between San Andres Mts. On E and Fray Cristobal range on W. In addition , many miles were sandy , and sometimes the indians made their attacks from hiding places in the mountains or the arroyos. Onate, in 1598, named one of the arroyos Los Muertos, 'the dead' and the phrase Jornada Del Muerto in Spanish is journey of the dead man. However, since hundreds perished in this crossing, women and children as well as men, 'journey of death' seems a much more fitting translation. Submitted by: Samuel W McWhorter

 BACK