Historical Marker

Paraje De Fra Cristobal

The mountain range seen along the east bank of the Rio Grande is named after Father Cristobal de Salazar of the 1598 Juan de Oñate expedition. The northern edge of the twenty-one mile range is said to resemble the profile of the good friar. This paraje, or encampment, was a place of rest for caravans on the Camino Real as they entered or exited the Jornada del Muerto. .