A shorter ride through high, dry and mostly treeless terrain.

First ten miles had some low scrub trees and a gentle climb. Signs told me about historical cattle drives that were held here. I climbed to a low rise at 7300ft and came to edge of a region known as “Plains of San Agustin”

Apparently, this was remains of a large uplifted lake with layers of sediment.

Treeless areas looked like this. Fortunately, winds were light.

In the American west, water is always a key issue.

The Plains of San Agustin are also site of the National Radio Astronomy Very Large Array telescope an array of 26 radio telescopes arranged in a large Y format. There was a visitor center ~4 miles off the route, so I skipped it here is a description. I could count at least 16 of these large telescopes including several in photo along the railroad line.

Signs always a good reminder, though surprised to have this on a long straight mostly flat highway.

I slowly came to edge of the treeless plain and then came into Datil. Not too much past noon I was at cafe above. Wind had been increasing some and this was a good place to stay before crossing the continental divide tomorrow.