Taos Trail, New Mexico - Old Trapper Trail

The Taos Fur Trappers were important to Taos and New Mexico. The needs of the trappers made Taos, New Mexico an important trading community. By the 1820's there were many settlements in the Taos Pueblo area.

Trappers needed an overland route for getting supplies. Taos, New Mexico was the northern most settlement and profited the most, due to its proximity to the Arkansas, Rio Grande, Platte and San Juan Rivers.

In September 1821 a caravan of 22 men filled with furs and other fine goods left for Santa Fe, New Mexico to do some trading. The profits were huge so they went again the next year. That is how it all began and soon other American traders took The Taos Trail too.

The Taos Trail served as an international road between the United States and Mexico for 25 years.

Missouri became a starting point for the Western expansion.

The Santa Fe Trail was eventually tied to The Old Spanish Trail linking The Santa Fe Trail with The California Trail.

The United States had a link between Missouri and the Pacific Ocean.

• The Dominguez-Escalante Expeditions Journal:

Through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in 1776

• I Walked to Zion:
- Young Pioneers on the Mormon Trail

• The Gathering of Zion:
- The Story of the Mormon Trail

• National Geographic's Guide to:
- Lewis and Clark Trail

• Hiking Historic Trails
- Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails

• Scenic Driving - Travel guides
- Scenic Driving in Utah

• Historical reading
- The Old Spanish Trail

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