Kasha-Katuwe

We played tourist today. Since we left New Mexico a new National Monument has been created between Albuquerque and Santa Fe near Cochiti Lake. It is called Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and consists of some interesting rock formations similar to those found in Bryce Canyon. Although it is relatively small it was a fun place to visit.

There are two trails available to hike. The first just loops around the area below the cliffs for some close up views of the hoodoos. The second trail is the one that makes the whole place so interesting and fun. It enters a very narrow canyon and winds for about a mile through some beautifully sculpted rock. At the end of the canyon the trail continues for about another half mile up a steep incline to the top of the mesa where there are great views of the Sandias, the Sangre de Cristos and the Jemez Mountains as well as the Rio Grande Valley down toward Albuquerque.

After our hike we stopped at one of our favorite New Mexican restaurants, El Pinto, for dinner. Of course we both had green chile enchiladas to satisfy our cravings for that special New Mexican flavor. We probably miss the food here more than anything else about the state.