JUNE 17 – 19  SANTA FE & HIKING THE KASHA-KATUWE TENT ROCKS NATIONAL MONUMENT

Monday was moving day; it wasn’t a big move, as the next stop was Santa Fe which was only 50 miles up the road.  What I can’t get my head around is why it always takes a full day to move. It doesn’t matter how long the drive we always arrive around the same time.  So, as per usual, we left the RV Park in Albuquerque, got gas, had the rig washed, stopped at the Santa Fe Visitors Center and the day was done.
Tuesday was a very different day.  We drove out to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Museum and went on one of the best hikes we have ever attempted.   The hike itself was fairy strenuous but we didn’t really encounter that until we were halfway through it. Prior to starting the hike we learned a little history of the area from the information boards.  The cone shaped tent rocks we are about to see are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 – 7 million years ago and left pumice, ash and tuff deposits over 1000 feet thick.  This is illustrated by the different layers of colors in the rocks.  While fairly uniform in shape, the tent rocks vary in height from a few feet to 90 feet.  We were eager to get started.

The path started out nice and flat as we meandered along the Cave Loop Trail and took a few pictures.

Then we came to the Canyon Trail.  We really have to start reading signs. 

 

 

We turned right and proceeded along the trail to the Slot Canyon.

 

The canyon itself was very unique as it widened and narrowed for close to half a mile.  I can’t seem to find the words to accurately describe the canyon.  It was unique with the shapes and colors but it was also very peaceful.  I didn’t want to share It with strangers.

 

When we were walking through wider parts of the canyon we were treated to some spectacular scenery.

 

 

When we exited the canyon the tent rocks started to come into view and we also started to climb.  This is the part where we should have paid attention to the signs.  We climbed 630 feet over the next half mile or so. It got the heart rate up.

 

 

As we climbed the main cluster of tent rocks was in view at all times and gave us many different perspective looks.

 

The tent rocks weren’t the only visual treats.  I took many, many pictures.

 

 

We finally reached the top we walked out to the point and were awarded with excellent views of the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez and Sandia Mountains as well as the Rio Grande Valley.  Pretty Spectacular.

While at the top we could also see the starting point of our hike as the parking lot was visible below.   I had to stick a picture in here of the high point of the hike.  If I knew ahead of time that this is where we were going to end up I probably would have gotten instantly tired and not gone. 
 

 

 

We spent some time at the top just enjoying the view before we started back.  The trip back was easier on the heart rate but it sure didn’t help the knees.  We paid for it the next day.   We travelled back through the canyon and reached the intersection of the two trails.  We continued on with the Cave Loop Trail that would lead us back to the parking lot.  The two features of this part of the hike was the cave which at one time was used for shelter and the teepees.  The teepees are tent rocks that have lost their top which protects them from deteriorating. 

 Once we reached the parking lot (it felt really good to sit down) we wanted to make one more stop.  A short drive away which was mostly uphill led us to an overlook and picnic area.  We stopped and had our lunch and just enjoyed the view. 

 

 

  

 

 

It now time to head back, we were tired.  Tired, but energized.  I have to say that today was one of our best days on the road.  It is definitely our most unique and enjoyable hike.

 

On our last day in Sante Fe we ventured down to the city center square.  Oldtown Sante Fe.  We wanted to explore some of the older building in the area as well as the square.

 That didn’t really happen.  It was hot and we were tired from the previous day.  We ended up spending the afternoon at the New Mexico Museum of History which was very insightful.  While we in the museum we got to join a tour where the emphasis was on the Manhattan Project, the birth of the atomic bomb.  Once the tour was over we left the museum without taking any pictures, it was not allowed.   It was time to go home.

Tomorrow is moving day.  It was a great three days in Santa Fe.