Edge of Plains Historical Marker
Mile 251 Interstate 40 East
Santa Rosa, NM 88435
The marker is in the eastbound rest area at mile 251 of Interstate 40 East. The inscription reads “Grassy plains meet pine dotted uplands in this transition from Great Plains to Basin and Range provinces. Plains to the east are capped by caliche, sand, and gravel which are deeply eroded into the underlying bedrock in places. To the west, faulting has produced alternating highlands and intermountain basins of the Basin and Range province. Elevation 6,500 feet.” [Note: Actual elevation near Santa Rosa is about 4,500 feet.]
The photos associated with this page are courtesy Bill Kirchner, 2015.
