Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, on the Pajarito Plateau in north-central New Mexico, includes a national recreation trail that is excellent for hiking and observation of the interesting tent rock formations. The Pajarito Plateau was formed 6 to 7 million years ago when violent volcanic eruptions deposited pumice, ash, and tuff in a layer over 1,000 feet thick. Wind and water eroded the tuff into the cone-shaped tent rocks seen in the Monument today. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is part of Cochiti Pueblo, and the Cochiti regard it as sacred.

Tent Rocks Trail has two parts, a shorter loop that stays at the base of the mesa, and a 3 mile out and back trail that gains 750 feet in elevation. The longer trail follows an arroyo into a canyon. This canyon narrows into a slot canyon through which the trail twists and turns. Once through the slot canyon the terrain opens up and the trail starts to climb to the top of the mesa. The trail ends on the mesa top with a terrific 360° view of the surrounding area.