If you've ever wondered what was up in those hills to the east of Interstate 25 near Socorro, then the Bureau of Land Management has a backcountry byway for you to explore.

Twenty-four miles of a good dirt road rambles up through those hills, which feature interesting rock formations, curiously colorful peaks and plenty of lonely open space to wander through.

It's the kind of road and backcountry landscape that few may see if they stick to the pavement during their travels throughout the state.

Which is exactly why the BLM has designated the road as one of five backcountry byways here in New Mexico that motorists can follow to find distinctive scenery found only off the beaten path.

Those who intend to visit the byway should download a copy of the Quebradas byway's brochure, which includes a map and the highly informative field guide, A Geological Guide to the Quebradas Backcountry Byway.

The field guide's chapters and information correspond to numbered stops found along the byway. It is a richly detailed document written by Peter Scholle, state geologist and executive director of the state Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at New Mexico Tech in Socorro.

Both documents can be found on the BLM's website at www.blm.gov. Just navigate to the New Mexico section, click on Outdoor Recreation, then on Outdoor Activities, where you'll find the backcountry byways icon leading to more detailed information about this and the state's other backcountry byways.

During a recent early winter visit to the Quebradas byway, the road proved to be in good condition and passable to even careful drivers of a passenger car. However, such an attempt when the road is wet would be inadvisable.

Upon venturing up into the barren hills, one may experience an uneasy sense of remoteness before the exhilaration of discovery sets in. Having some water, a cell phone and a spare tire on hand should help alleviate any hesitancy to follow this road.

During the trip, there are good reasons to stop frequently to check things out and consult the field guide.

One particular hillside featured great sheets of loose shale rock cascading down from above and exposed bands of colorful rock strata. This hill begged to be climbed and rewarded those who did with a stunning view back across the valley to the opposing mountains.

At another stop, one can see rows of rock jutting from the hillside like tombstones, while just around the corner a couple of cows stood by the road, staring incredulously at the passing vehicle.

And over the course of an afternoon of cruising the backcountry, not a single other vehicle was seen.

The rambling 24-mile drive starts on the outskirts of Socorro for those southbound on I-25. Jump off the highway at the first exit by the state police headquarters, No. 152, and then head toward the river and Escondida Lake. Cross the river just past the lake and then head south a little way on Bosquecito Road to the intersection of County Road A-152. Follow it into the hills.

Just follow the signs, if they're still there.

From this direction the byway ends at U.S. 380 about 11 miles east of San Antonio, gateway to the Bosque del Apache bird sanctuary and home of some of the best green chile cheeseburgers in the state at the legendary Owl Bar and Café and Manny's Buckhorn Tavern.

The backcountry byways are part of a nationwide BLM effort to promote visitation to scenic areas by motor vehicle, in part because studies show a vast majority of Americans drive for pleasure.

New Mexico boasts five scenic byways including the Quebradas, which means "breaks" in Spanish, the Guadalupe outside of Carlsbad, the Wild Rivers near Taos, the Chain of Craters through Malpais and the Lake Valley byway near Hillsboro. For more information about these and other scenic byways, check the National Scenic Byways Program website at www.byways.org.

Karl F. Moffatt is a longtime New Mexico journalist and avid outdoorsman who can be contacted through his blog at www.outdoorsnewmexico.com.

IF YOU GO

From Santa Fe take Interstate 25 south to the Escondida exit, No. 152. Head east toward the river, past Escondida Lake, across the river to Pueblitos, then take Bosquecito Road south to County Road A-152 and follow it into the hills. Emerge at U.S. 380 and head west back to I-25.