These small communities are located in the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains along Interstate 25 on the east side of Glorieta Pass (elevation 7500 ft.). With many homes backing up to National Forest land, these areas are ideal for those wanting peaceful seclusion within commuting distance of Santa Fe.

Glorieta was the site of two important battles in New Mexico history, the Battle of Santa Fe and the Battle of Glorieta Pass.

Pecos is built along the Pecos River which flows from the north out of the Santa Fe National Forest. Notable locations nearby include Pecos National Historical Park, Glorieta Pass, Pecos Benedictine Monastery, and Lisboa Springs Trout Hatchery. It is also an entry point for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in the Pecos Wilderness. Pecos Independent Schools serves the Village of Pecos as well as rural areas in western San Miguel County.

Rowe is located along Interstate 25 near the Pecos National Historical Park, at an elevation of 6,821 feet.
Rowe was established to provide labor for the Santa Fe Railroad in the late 1870s and early 1880s. The majority of the population came from Las Ruedas two miles away on the Pecos River. A pipeline to provide water for steam engines was laid between Rowe and the then village of Las Ruedas. Las Ruedas ceased to exist and by the time of the 1880 U.S. Federal Census most of the former residents of Las Ruedas were resettled in Rowe.