Travessier

Continuing on NM 456, you will cross the Dry Cimarron River several times. At Travessier, there is a picturesque overlook, which is the entrance into the Dry Cimarron Valley, which narrows into a series of wild and wonderful sandstone formations.  On the north side you will see a particular colored sandstone formation called the "Battleship," named in remembrance of the Maine.  You will also see "Wedding Cake Butte," a round mound rising about 300 feet above the valley floor, where its red, white and brown layers of sandy rock gives it an appearance of a large layered cake. In early days, many couples exchanged wedding vows atop this geographic formation.  The drive along NM 456 is a refreshing change from the grasslands.

McNees Crossing

Just before the Oklahoma border, turn right (south) on Hwy 406 towards McNees Crossing. A state historic sign sits in the actual "ruts" of the Santa Fe Trail. The trail crosses the North Canadian River, which is also called "Corrumpa Creek" by people who live in the area. The crossing is named for a young scout of an east-bound caravan who was killed in the autumn of 1828 by Indians.  A short distance to the north is a gate (close it if you go through). To the east is a windmill; nearby is a small marker erected in 1921 on the 90th anniversary of the first celebration of July 4th, in what is now New Mexico.

Old Santa Fe Trail

Continue on NM Highway 406 south towards Seneca and Clayton.  You will cross traces of the Old Santa Fe Trail here and again through the Kiowa National Grassland.   Many wonder why it's possible to see so many Santa Fe Trail ruts more than 100 years after the trail closed.  It's a rule of geology that linear scars tend to perpetuate themselves - in other words, ruts are places for rainwater to run like a little stream, so they tend to keep eroding and perpetuate themselves.  Clayton is approximately 23 miles from McNees Crossing.  Turn right when you reach US 56 to Clayton.