We were visiting family in Albuquerque recently and in between family time and green chile we were able to squeeze in a hike at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.
Kasha-Katuwe is a Keresan phrase meaning “white cliffs”, Keres being the traditional language of the pueblo tribes of northern New Mexico. The cone shaped tent rocks were formed by volcanic eruptions that occurred 6-7 million years ago and left pumice, ash and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick. Over time, weathering and erosion of these layers created canyons and the unique rock formations which vary in height from several feet up to 90 feet.
The trail took us through some tight slots in the canyon.
Our All Trails app indicated that Cave Loop and Slot Canyon Trail would be about 3.1 miles, but in the end we tracked just over 4 miles so we must have strayed off the trail at some point. Overall the hike had minimal elevation, beautiful pinyon pines dotting the landscape, canyon walls rising up above on both sides, leading through the slot canyon and the climb to the mesa top.
Luckily we hiked on a weekday and missed the weekend crowds, so had time to reward ourselves with a stop at La Cumbre one of our favorite Albuquerque breweries.
-Denise