Kasha-Kutuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a little out of the way as we drove the 5 hours from Holbrook to Santa Fe, but well worth the extra mileage and time. These 5,610 acres of public land (included with our National Parks pass) are located 52 miles north of Albuquerque and 35 miles south of Santa Fe.
Tent rock formations (the cone shaped formations) are created from millions of years of volcanic activity, creating different layers of ash and lava flow, followed by wind and water erosion. The hoodoos (the formations with the big boulder caps) are made from the same process but the harder boulder cap protects the softer rock below.
There is a sign when you arrive at the ranger station that says 'from this point the wait is 60 minutes'. Lucky for us we arrived late (around 3:00), about an hour and a half before it closed, because there was no wait at all. We didn't have time to hike the entire Slot Canyon Trail, but we did the best part (says the person who didn't do the entire trail). After the slot canyons there is a steep climb with a nice view, which would have been a little difficult in the heat, with a baby strapped to my chest, and not enough water. So, it worked out for the best.
Inside the slot canyons there was a nice breeze and protection from the sun.
I couldn't imagine coming here when it is an hour wait to just park. It would not be a fun hike through the skinny slot canyons, trying to squeeze past people of various sizes.
Our timing was perfect.
The snake is a little blurry but I didn't have time to properly focus before it lost interest in me.
Tent Rocks National Park is TINY. There are only a few miles of trails, but if you are in the area it is definitely worth a visit.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Leave your comments/questions/opinions here... I will get right back to you.