Southern Tier sec. 3 maps 28-31. Highway closure. Mar. 2023

[CMajernik]

East of San Lorenzo, the NM DOT has closed SR 152 due to large cracks signifying a potential roadway failure. This 25 mile closure goes from milepost 15 to milepost 40 on map panel 29. Detours are in place guiding motorists from SR 152 to SR 61 to US 180 to SR 26 to Hatch (panel 31) to rejoin the route. An opening date is not known. See https://nmroads.com/mapIndex.html? for more information.

[jamawani]

Yikes !!

Not good news - since the Mimbres Mtns are the high point of the ST.
Both physically and, for many, scenically.
(The actual Continental Divide is some nondescript spot west of Silver City.)

There's not much reason to take NM 152 all the way to NM 61, then backtrack to US 180.
Might as well just use US 180 right at Santa Clara. (Or stay on US 180 westbound)
Both US 180 and NM 26 are boring and have heavy traffic - but with shoulders.

Given the loss of this very scenic section,
maybe it might be a plus to use the older ST routing west of Silver City -
WB -
Stay on US 180 west thru Cliff
Right on Hwy 78 thru Mule Creek NM/AZ border
Straight at Three Way onto US 191 south to US 70
EB -
Left on US 191 north 5 mi. east of Solomon
Straight at Three Way onto Hwy 78 to AZ/NM border and Mule Creek
Right on US 180 east thru Cliff

Pic - Mimbres Mountains on NM 152
Yes, that is snow on them mountains

[dhphllps]

Riders are reporting that bicyclists are still able to ride the closed section, with the blessings of the NM DOT workers that are on site this week evaluating the situation. For those that choose not to ride the pass, the easiest eastbound option is to take US 180 to Deming. From Deming, take NM 549, frontage roads, and 11 miles of I-10 to get to Las Cruces. I can post more detailed directions from Deming to Las Cruces if needed. Then look me up on Warm Showers in Las Cruces :-)

[CMajernik]

Here is a link to ride between Lordsburg and Las Cruces, NM. This routing avoids Silver City and the SR 152 highway closure. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42370814

[Eskosik]

This area is now open. It opened some time around Memorial Day weekend.

[CMajernik]

Thank you for the information.