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Information:
The John Dunn Truss bridge is located across the Rio Grande River at the bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge.
History:
During or soon after 1893, John Dunn purchased a bridge that crossed the Rio Grande river and established a business taking passengers and freight from the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad at Tres Piedras across the Rio Grande and then on to Taos. This was one of the only routes, and definitely the shortest, from these to New Mexico cities.
Then the bridge burned down and he rebuilt it in 1908. He continued in his business of transporting travelers and mail to Taos. Soon after, he build a hotel near the bridge, where he provided accommodations in his hotel to the those traveling overnight. Also, the hotel provided fresh fish from the Rio Grande and fresh milk from his milk cow. To cross the bridge, travelers had to pay one dollar per person, but live stock was much less.
He continued to provide a predictable daily mail service from Tres Piedras to Embudo, Taos Junction and Taos for as long as he operated the bridge, which operation ended when he sold the bridge to the Territory of New Mexico in 1912.
At that time the Territory of New Mexico changed it from a toll bridge to one free to all travelers. In 1935, the current steel truss bridge was build and continues to provide free crossing of the Rio Grande river at the Arroyo Hondo.
The John Dunn bridge is less than a mile from the Black Rock Hot Springs, which is accessed by a foot trail on the west side of the river.
Driving Directions:
This bridge can be accessed Northwest of Taos, New Mexico. From Taos, take US 64 west to the junction of US 64 and SR 522. At the junction, do not turn left onto US 64, but keep going straight onto SR 522. Drive 6.9 miles north of the junction of US 64 and SH 52, and then turn left from SR 522 onto Lower Arroyo Hondo road (Cam Del Medio) and follow the Rio Hondo down on the north side of the river. At 0.90 miles, cross the river and take the very next right and continue down the river on the south side on Cam Del Medio. Cross the Rio Hondo again at 2.49 miles and arrive at the John Dunn bridge at 2.61 miles
Directions to
Black Rock Hot Springs:
Cross the John Dunn bridge to the west side, turn left and go up to the first switchback at 2.88 miles (or about 1/4 miles from the bridge) where there is a small parking lot for the Black Rock Hot Springs.
From the Black Rock parking lot, it is 750 feet down to the river and the hot springs.
Location:
Coordinates:
36.535051, -105.708850
Elevation:
6490 feet
The ridge above the gorge is about 7000 feet in elevation.
Bridge Specification
Bridge Type:
Steel Through Truss Deck Bridge
Date Open:
1935
Replaced:
John Dunn Toll Bridge
Total Length:
164.1 feet
Deck Width:
19 feet
Main Span Length:
feet;
Total Height:
Crosses:
Clearance Above:
(Vehicle Clearance) 12.7 feet.
Clearance Below:
(Vessel Clearance) about 12 feet.
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