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Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

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Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located approximately 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, near Cochiti Pueblo. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Cochiti Pueblo tribe, it was established as a national monument by President Bill Clinton in January 2001. Kasha-Katuwe means "white cliffs" in the Pueblo language Keresan.[2] The monument is a unit of the BLM's National Conservation Lands.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
A map of the United States showing the location of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
A map of the United States showing the location of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
A map of the United States showing the location of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
A map of the United States showing the location of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
LocationSandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Nearest cityCochiti Pueblo, NM
Coordinates35°39′37″N 106°24′30″W / 35.66028°N 106.40833°W / 35.66028; -106.40833
Area5,402 acres (21.86 km2)[1]
EstablishedJanuary 17, 2001
Governing bodyU.S. Bureau of Land Management
WebsiteKasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, a popular recreation area between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, was closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remained closed until November 2024. To prevent crowding the BLM introduced a reservation system, which will allow about 75,000 visitors annually, a reduction from a peak of 130,000.[3]

Geology

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Kasha-Katuwe is located on the Pajarito Plateau between 5700 and 6400 feet (1737–1951 m) above sea level. The area owes its remarkable geology to layers of volcanic rock and ash deposited by pyroclastic flow from eruptions within the volcanic field of the Jemez Mountains that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago. These rock layers are assigned to the Peralta Tuff. Many of the layers are light in color, which is the origin of the monument's Keresan name. Over time, weathering and erosion of these layers has created slot canyons and tent rocks. The tent rocks are composed of soft pumice and tuff. Most of the tent rocks have a distinctly conical shape and some retain their caprocks of harder stone. The tent rocks vary in height from a few feet to 90 feet (27 m).[2]

Recreational activities

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The BLM maintains hiking trails as well as parking and restrooms at the site. The Slot Canyon trail is a one-way trail covering 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through a slot canyon and up a climb of 630 feet (190 m) to a lookout point where the tent rocks may be viewed from above. The Cave Loop trail is approximately 1.2 miles (1.9 km) and leads past the base of the cliffs, near some of the tent rocks and a small cavate similar to those found at the nearby Bandelier National Monument. The Veterans' Memorial Scenic Overlook, dedicated in 2004, includes a 1 mile (1.6 km) loop trail and views of Peralta Canyon and the Jemez Mountains. The overlook is located at the end of a gravel road approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) west of the tent rocks and may not be accessible depending on road and weather conditions.

The monument is open for day use only and may be closed by order of the Cochiti Pueblo Tribal Governor. Considerations for hiking include the possibility of flash flooding in the slot canyons and the high altitude of the monument. The monument is closed to dogs.[2]

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The science fiction television series Earth 2 filmed scenes at the monument.

Closure

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The BLM closed the monument in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. BLM plans to update facilities and restore trails, and may increase entry fees more in line with the costs to maintain the delicate area.[4] The monument has not reopened as of October 5, 2023 due to continued concerns of COVID-19 transmission to the Cochiti Pueblo and to addresses concerns of over-visitation, long wait times, staffing needs, and resource protection.[5]

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  • Photo Gallery
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    Closeup of several of the largest hoodoos in the formation.
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    Evidence of erosion in the slot canyon
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    A narrow section of the slot canyon
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    Tent rocks, with Cochiti Pueblo lands and the Rio Grande in the distance
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    Ruins of a Native American cliff dwelling

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "National Monument detail table as of April 2012" (PDF). Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
  2. ^ a b c "Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument". Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
  3. ^ Alaina, Mencinger (2024-11-07). "Tent Rocks National Monument to reopen after four-year shutdown". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  4. ^ Pardo, Annalisa (September 13, 2021). "Tent Rocks still closed; considering improvements with reopening". KRQE New Mexico. Nexstar Media Inc. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  5. ^ "August 30, 2023 update: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument remains closed". US Bureau of Land Management. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
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