Back East Continue West - Mountain Route - Lakin, Kansas to La Junta, Colorado Also called the Raton or the Bent's Fort Route, the Mountain Route had more reliable water sources, but it was about 60 miles longer than the Cimarron Route. A Trail traveler would also have to cross the rugged Raton Pass between Raton, New Mexico and Trinidad, Colorado on this route. Or Cimarron Route - Ulysses, Kansas to Clayton, New Mexico The Cimarron Route was shorter and faster than the Mountain Route, but the easternmost 50 to 60 miles of the route crossed a dry and rugged land that was called La Jornada (The Journey), because there was almost no water. This route lacked reliable water sources. This was the original route from Missouri to Santa Fe. The choice is yours.