Los Alamos

Los Alamos is a small town in northern New Mexico, about an hour northwest of Santa Fe. Its claim to fame is the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where Oppenheimer and other physicists created the world's first atomic bomb during World War II. Many of Los Alamos's 12,000 residents work at the laboratory. White Rock, with about 6,000, is a part of Los Alamos, but is separated from the main town by LANL. Nearly all of LANL is closed to the public, but the town has a couple of museums which are good places to learn about the history of the town.

By car
From US 285 north of Santa Fe, take NM 502 west, which leads directly to the town. This is a very scenic drive, with photo opportunities from the Clinton P. Anderson Scenic Overlook outside of town. From NM 502 a side road, NM 4, leads to White Rock and Bandelier National Monument.

You can rent a car or passenger van from Hertz elsewhere and return it in Los Alamos, or rent it in Los Alamos and return it elsewhere, without paying a drop-off fee (if you rent by calling the Los Alamos office, +1 505 662-8907). Residents and visitors alike find this convenient and inexpensive for getting to and from airports. The Los Alamos office is inside the tiny main building at the Los Alamos County airport on NM 502 just east of town.

Crossing LANL property (e.g. when entering town from the west) requires passing a security checkpoint; but under most conditions require no more than slowing down or a brief stop.

By bus
Los Alamos is served by public commuter bus and commercial shuttle from several other cities in northern New Mexico.

New Mexico Park & Ride has direct bus service to Los Alamos from both Espanola and Santa Fe. This is popular with commuters and occasional travelers alike. The Los Alamos terminus is a bus shelter on Central Avenue between 19th St and 20th St. It is in front of Mesa Public Library and a skate park and tot lot, in sight of the Reel Deal movie theater, and one block from the Aquatic Center. The nearest public toilets are in the library lobby. The Santa Fe bus can be used to make connections via Santa Fe to the Albuquerque airport (ABQ) using the Rail Runner train or the Sandia Shuttle Express. Connections can also be made in Pojoaque with shuttle services that run between Albuquerque and Taos.

By appointment, Roadrunner Shuttle and Charter (+1 505 424-3367) will take you from Santa Fe (airport SAF or downtown), Lamy (Amtrak train station) or Albuquerque airport to Los Alamos. Some Los Alamos bed-and-breakfasts may also be available to pick you up.

By bike
If you don't want to make the 2000-foot climb from the Rio Grande up the "big hill", you can hitch a ride on the commuter coach buses that serve Los Alamos. They have front racks and luggage compartments.

By horse
Horse friendly trails abound in and around Los Alamos. Travel through Santa Clara Pueblo requires a permit; the permit is easy to obtain but must be obtained in advance. Travel through Valles Caldera also requires advance permission, and may be iffy to obtain. Travel around Valles Caldera, via its rim, is largely feasible although the first segment of a consolidated rim trail is now read for use.

By plane
Los Alamos has a municipal airport, with daily service to Albuquerque via Boutique Air. The single runway is adequate for a large commercial jet, and its approach is extremely scenic: cross the Rio Grande Valley to perch on top of a narrow mesa with canyons on either side. Hertz rental car agency operates out of the airport terminal. Atomic Transit bus stops at the airport entrance on East Drive.

The Santa Fe airport, 40 minutes away by car, has very limited commercial service. Albuquerque (, 2 hours away by car) is served by most major airlines and is the airport of choice for most travelers to and from Los Alamos.

Get around
The downtown area is compact, and the museums and most restaurants are within easy walking distance of the main hotels and many of the B&Bs. Public transportation by Atomic City Transit is free and includes both fixed routes and an on-demand service.

Many Los Alamos residents bicycle to work and around town. Cycling is feasible for visitors as well, but be aware that the town is at an elevation of about 7320 feet (2231 meters) and quite hilly. Puffing up the hills before you've acclimated to the altitude can be a surprisingly exhausting experience.

Road cycling is popular here, and some competitive road bicycle racers come here to train. Popular routes include NM 502 between Los Alamos and Pojoaque, and Camp May Road up to Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. White Rock is nearly a thousand feet lower and about 10 miles (16 km) away by road; riding to it on a bike can be a thrill, but oh, that hill coming back! From White Rock you can take a bus back to townsite: Atomic City Transit buses are equipped with bike racks.

Los Alamos County has an extensive trails network that is open to mountain bikes. The network is especially well developed around townsite, and connects to trails in Santa Fe National Forest and Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. In summer and fall the ski area offers lift-served mountain biking: ride the lift up and bike down easy sideslope trails or bomb down very challenging trails designed specifically for mountain biking. The ski area also has a mountain biking terrain park.

See

 * The downtown area contains a number of artifacts of the early days of the "Manhattan Project" to build the bomb, and the even earlier days "when Los Alamos was a ranch school" (the title, incidentally, of an interesting little booklet on the history of the town that is available in local bookstores). Start at pretty Fuller Lodge, one of the old ranch-school buildings and a local landmark, and work your way out.



Do

 * Santa Fe National Forest lies west and north of the town and offers many recreation opportunities such as hiking and exploring four-wheel drive roads. The reference book below gives more details. SFNF trails connecting to the Los Alamos trails network include:
 * Trail 287, Quemazon Trail
 * Trail 280, Pajarito Canyon Trail
 * Trail 279, Cabra Loop Trail
 * Trail 285, Guaje Ridge Trail
 * Trail 69, Mitchell Trail
 * For a small town, Los Alamos attracts some very good musical groups, particularly in the classical genre. The Los Alamos Concert Association runs a subscription series of concerts by internationally-known classical performers. The professional Santa Fe Desert Chorale and non-professional but very good Sangre de Cristo Chorale and Coro de Camara perform choral music. Popular concerts occur frequently in the main community shopping center, and there are "coffeehouses" on several Friday nights a year at Fuller Lodge; inquire locally for details.
 * Fly. Take lessons from a private instructor or take a ride with a charter pilot operating out of the tiny but Air Force One capable Los Alamos airport.
 * Tune in to KRSN AM1490 to listen to interviews with local movers and shakers and Topper Time, hosted by LAHS students. Check their website for a calendar of who's on and to see what time your flavor in music plays.
 * Trail 69, Mitchell Trail
 * For a small town, Los Alamos attracts some very good musical groups, particularly in the classical genre. The Los Alamos Concert Association runs a subscription series of concerts by internationally-known classical performers. The professional Santa Fe Desert Chorale and non-professional but very good Sangre de Cristo Chorale and Coro de Camara perform choral music. Popular concerts occur frequently in the main community shopping center, and there are "coffeehouses" on several Friday nights a year at Fuller Lodge; inquire locally for details.
 * Fly. Take lessons from a private instructor or take a ride with a charter pilot operating out of the tiny but Air Force One capable Los Alamos airport.
 * Tune in to KRSN AM1490 to listen to interviews with local movers and shakers and Topper Time, hosted by LAHS students. Check their website for a calendar of who's on and to see what time your flavor in music plays.
 * For a small town, Los Alamos attracts some very good musical groups, particularly in the classical genre. The Los Alamos Concert Association runs a subscription series of concerts by internationally-known classical performers. The professional Santa Fe Desert Chorale and non-professional but very good Sangre de Cristo Chorale and Coro de Camara perform choral music. Popular concerts occur frequently in the main community shopping center, and there are "coffeehouses" on several Friday nights a year at Fuller Lodge; inquire locally for details.
 * Fly. Take lessons from a private instructor or take a ride with a charter pilot operating out of the tiny but Air Force One capable Los Alamos airport.
 * Tune in to KRSN AM1490 to listen to interviews with local movers and shakers and Topper Time, hosted by LAHS students. Check their website for a calendar of who's on and to see what time your flavor in music plays.
 * Tune in to KRSN AM1490 to listen to interviews with local movers and shakers and Topper Time, hosted by LAHS students. Check their website for a calendar of who's on and to see what time your flavor in music plays.
 * Tune in to KRSN AM1490 to listen to interviews with local movers and shakers and Topper Time, hosted by LAHS students. Check their website for a calendar of who's on and to see what time your flavor in music plays.

Clubs and organizations
There are a surprising number of club and organizations in Los Alamos, something for everyone. Here are just a few to connect with (in no particular order).


 * Los Alamos Online Visitor Guide is maintained by the Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce and includes maps, area information, an events calendar, and a searchable business directory.

Eat
As with many communities in New Mexico, it makes sense to categorize restaurants as "New Mexican" (specializing in enchiladas, stuffed sopaipillas, etc., with the usual "red or green?" choice of chile—red is usually hotter, green more flavorful, but inquire) or otherwise. Most restaurants cater to the community more than to the tourist, and consequently, many are closed on Sunday and some even on Saturday. Check on open days and hours before deciding where to eat.

Drink
Los Alamos contains more churches than bars, which is a probably sufficient commentary on the night life. Some of the restaurants occasionally offer live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Sleep
Accommodations can be hard to find during the second week of October, when Albuquerque, 90 miles away, hosts the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. If you're visiting at that time and planning to stay in a hotel or B&B, reserve well in advance.

Lodging
There are curiously few hotels and motels in town, given the number of travelers (mainly professional) who pass through the area. There are also several bed and breakfasts in Los Alamos and one or two in White Rock.



Camping

 * There is a tiny RV park at East Gate on NM 502 just east of town and the municipal airport; perched on the tip of a mesa, this RV park has stunning views. There is a large RV park 20 minutes away, on US 84/285 in Pojoaque; it has hookups and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.
 * There is a tiny RV park at East Gate on NM 502 just east of town and the municipal airport; perched on the tip of a mesa, this RV park has stunning views. There is a large RV park 20 minutes away, on US 84/285 in Pojoaque; it has hookups and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.
 * There is a tiny RV park at East Gate on NM 502 just east of town and the municipal airport; perched on the tip of a mesa, this RV park has stunning views. There is a large RV park 20 minutes away, on US 84/285 in Pojoaque; it has hookups and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.
 * There is a tiny RV park at East Gate on NM 502 just east of town and the municipal airport; perched on the tip of a mesa, this RV park has stunning views. There is a large RV park 20 minutes away, on US 84/285 in Pojoaque; it has hookups and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants.

Stay safe
Violent crime is almost unknown in Los Alamos. The biggest lawbreaking threat to life and limb is drunk drivers. Northern New Mexico has an unfortunate and well-deserved reputation for DUI problems. Be alert when driving on the arterial roads after 10PM, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Another driving hazard is wildlife. Mule deer can be seen around town all year long, day and night. Herds of elk come down from the Jemez Mountains during the winter and often congregate around the roads. If your car hits an elk at highway speed, the elk may lose, but you will most assuredly not win. Be careful driving after sundown during the winter months.

Believe it or not, one of the most important types of fatal accident sustained by townspeople is falling off a cliff—sometimes a cliff literally in the victim's back yard. The sheer canyon walls that give the area much of its natural beauty also pose traps for the unwary recreational hiker. If you're out enjoying the many hiking trails around town, stay on the trail when around a cliff unless you're doing roped climbing.

In most other regards, Los Alamos is an almost absurdly safe place. When pursuing outdoors activities, take the usual precautions, with maybe a little extra attention to fire safety; several of the disastrous forest fires the area experienced over the last 30 years resulted from poorly constructed campfires that were not well put out and thus smoldered, eventually starting up again and igniting tinder. If the national forest is closed to camping owing to fire hazard (as often happens in early summer) or forbids open fires (which can happen almost any time from May until August), please comply and seek your accommodations somewhere else. One final note: bubonic plague is endemic to northern New Mexico, and plague-bearing fleas and rodents have been trapped from within the city limits. As cautioned in the article on Bandelier National Monument, if you see a distressed or dead rodent or other small animal, leave it alone; buzzards are immune to plague, you are not.

Medical care


Los Alamos is served by two mobile large animal veterinarians, High Desert Equine (+1 505 455-1001, based 15 minutes east of town) and Oso Mobile Veterinary Services (+1 505 695-0052, based in town). The nearest large animal clinic is Valley Veterinary Clinic (+1 505 455-2228) on 85/284 just north of Pojoaque. The nearest colic surgery is Thal Equine south of Santa Fe.

For small animals there is Animal Clinic of Los Alamos and Ridgeview Veterinary Hospital, both on East Road (NM 502).

Go next

 * Santa Fe is one of the world's great travel destinations and is only about 35 miles (55 km) away by road. It would be silly to make a vacation stop to see Los Alamos and not see Santa Fe.
 * Taos, another fine travel destination, is a little over an hour away. Retrace your path down NM 502, but before reaching Pojoaque, turn off on NM 30 to Española by way of Santa Clara Pueblo.  NM 30 leads you to NM 68 and eventually Taos via a beautiful drive along the Rio Grande.  Or, take the "high road" to Taos through a series of tiny Colonial Spanish mountain villages.
 * If traveling to Albuquerque on the way home from Los Alamos, consider forsaking the highway route (NM 502 to US 84/285 to I-25) in favor of the "back road" through the Jemez Mountains. Take NM 501 west out of Los Alamos and proceed past the Camp May road to a T intersection with NM 4.  Left leads back to Bandelier; instead turn right, climbing steeply and spectacularly into the mountains and through Valle Grande, the largest grass meadow of the Valles Caldera.  On emerging on the west side of the mountains, NM 4 connects with NM 44 (US highway 550) which leads back to the interstate close to Albuquerque.  This takes up to half an hour longer than the highway route but is worth it for the mountain scenery.  Be wary of radar traps, and skip it in winter after a snowstorm, as the road through the mountains may be temporarily impassable.