MAGDALENA NM

Trail miles from west terminus: 587
Distance from GET: on route

A former railroad town, Magdalena was once the end of the line for the Great Western Stock Driveway. Here, cattle were unloaded and herded west toward interior Catron County and on to Arizona. The town took its name from biblical Mary Magdalene, whose likeness is said to grace a nearby mountain. In terms of appearances and services, Magdalena remains something of an anachronism, proudly so, but nonetheless offers enough of the basics to make this a welcome stop along the trail. Although a full-fledged grocery store is no longer open in town, a modest selection of grocery items remains available. A few colorful eateries are also in town, as are several reasonably-priced motels, and a Cibola National Forest district office. The fascinating ghost town ruins of Kelly lie just south of town along the route of the GET. Except for its historic white adobe church, set apart from the erstwhile mining site proper, you'll need a permit before visiting Kelly, available at a roadside rock shop along Kelly Road in Magdalena

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