So About That Destination

Where we were heading was the long, looping road to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument (that's a mouthful, so let's just call it KKTRNM).  We were behind schedule because of our spur-of-the-moment decision to drive on the Cauldera (see previous post).   And then both of our GPS devices send us over an Indian Country Road that you really don't want to be on -- slow going for sure.

And there may also have been some incomplete research by yours-truly, because when we showed up at KKTRNM, the gate was closed.  (It wouldn't have helped had they been open, since they didn't even offer a camping option -- oops, my bad.)

But we found a campsite quite close, on Cochiti Lake.  We had driven by the Cochiti Dam on our way to KKTRNM, and thought Oh My God -- it is simply massive.  It's one of the 10 largest earthen dams in the US -- 11th in the world.

Cochiti Lake and Dam, Cochiti Lake, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

But the next morning we got to KKTRNM pretty early, and they were still nearly full.  It is a very interesting area for a morning, or day hike.

So We're the Foreground, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Balancing Act, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Tent Rocks and Canyon, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Look Out Below, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

After hiking for a little while, we enter the canyon, which presents lots of challenges for a photographer.  A wide angle lens is needed (I purchased a 16-35mm for this trip ... it's getting lots of use ;-).  Add to that the light, shade, and shadows.  Makes for some interesting perspectives.

Reach for the Sun, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Looks like Fun (but not allowed), Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

He's Not Heavy, He's My Brother, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

But there are more interesting features as well.  Next we enter a slot canyon.  That's as far as we ended up going, since we, er, I had accidentally dropped Carol's water bottle.  I ran back looking for it along the trail ... only to find it all the way back in the RV.  By the time I got back to Carol, the weather had changed quite a bit (and more people had arrived), so we decided to call it a successful outing.

Slot Canyon, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

A Bit of a Scramble, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Really Interesting Place, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, NM, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And when we drove out of  KKTRNM, the line of cars waiting to get in must have been and hour or two long, so plan to arrive early!