Tres Orejas, New Mexico—Off the Beaten Track
A Side Trip from Taos, Not Far Across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
Aug 12, 2009
Tres Orejas is about a 30 minute drive from Taos, New Mexico, across the Rio Grande (River). It lies at the base of the eastern slope of three-peaked Tres Orejas Mountain (Tres Orejas is Spanish for three ears).
What is Tres Orejas, New Mexico
There are all forms of abodes from shacks to beautiful custom homes. Five miles of dirt road to access the community, all are county owned and county maintained. Long, big, 360 degree views - very open country.
Tres Orejas is an eclectic, alternative neighborhood, 4 miles from nearest power pole. No land lines for phone, but excellent cell coverage. All homes there collect or haul water as water table is very deep (800 to 1200 ft.). It is backed up against hundreds of square miles of Carson National Forest and is rich in wildlife. Very quiet, the ultimate spot for star gazing as there is no light pollution.
It is a small off-the-grid community of hippies, PhDs, entrepreneurs, natural builders (two natural building contractors live there), artists, crafts persons, retirees, Buddhists and more--quite diverse.
The Rio Grande flows southward through the famous Rio Grande Gorge (up to 800 feet deep), 7 miles west of Taos, 2 miles east of Tres Orejas, and boasts world class white water, fishing and recreation.
Most residents use alternative energy such as solar and wind electricity, and passive solar heating.Some residents have old Mercedes that run on recycled vegetable oil—read French fries. As a matter of fact, they smell like fries when running. This area is considered the solar capital of the world. The local FM station, KTAO is solar powered.
Tres Orejas Has a Community of Buddhists
Tres Orejas has a community of Buddhists, mostly Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism), but also some Zen Buddhists and Vapassana Buddhists.
The Tibetan Buddhists have a center that is visited every Saturday by Lama Dorje, a Lama from Santa Fe, New Mexico. They have a large meditation hall, a Stupa, a library for sacred Tibetan texts and a great view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east. Their Saturday meditations are open to the public, if one happen to get out that way then.
The Nearby Town of Taos, New Mexico
Taos is a beautiful and unusual town, tri cultural (Native American, Hispanic and Anglo) and full of artists. This mix of inhabitants has created a rich, colorful town full of history and lore. The town of Taos sits at 7000 feet elevation at the southern extent of the Rocky Mountains. Taos Ski Valley, it's base at 9200 feet, has world renown skiing 20 minutes from Taos. New Mexico's highest peak, Wheeler Peak, stands over 13,000 feet, just to the north east of Taos.
Festivals abound: arts, wool, film, balloon, and more.
Taos is also a very interesting place—something for everyone. If one is an artist or art lover, it is an art colony (art, including dance, writing, theater, film and much more). A ski bum—great skiing. Also rafting, ballooning and many more outdoor sports. If one is a liberal, you will find many friends here. A neo-con, Rumsfeld, has a house and property here. If one is a paparazzi, several well-known folks call it home, including Julia Roberts (also very active in the bio-diesel movement) and Dennis Hopper. D. H Lawrence had a place here and it has a history of being the stomping grounds of many famous artists and literati.
 |
 |
 |
 |
