Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
This is a fairly small National Monument. It is a relatively short hike, but it is a bit strenuous, especially if you’re not used to the elevation in the area. The hike only gains 600ft. in elevation, but it feels like more. There are a few spots where you’ll have to climb over small obstructions.
The ground here is comprised of volcanic tuff and pumice from pyroclastic flows from nearby volcanoes. The volcanoes aren’t currently a threat, but the area is still active volcanically. Geothermal hot springs can be found nearby and bath houses in Jemez are a popular retreat for people from Albuquerque. These formations are the result of differential erosion. Since the cap stones are more resistant to weathering than then soft rock beneath them, the spires erode like hoodoos found throughout the Southwest.
The hike takes you through the beautifully shaped slot canyon carved into the surrounding volcanic tuff and eventually opens slightly to a series of switch backs that take you up to the top of the mesa that the tent rocks are carved from. You experience a variety of views as you begin at the base of the formations then climb above them.
There is a short loop trail off of the main trail that takes you to a cave cliff dwelling. This cave is small taste of what you see much more of at nearby Bandalier National Monument.
TIPS
Only a certain number of people are allowed into the monument at a time. The rest have to wait in line in their car at the entrance booth along Indian Service Rte. 92. Park rangers leave a sign at distances from the booth that read “from here there is a __ min wait”. These signs are fairly accurate, so if you see one expect to wait.
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