A Windy Hike at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rock National Monument

Ever since our ladder hike at Meca Hills Painted Canyon in California. earlier this year, Derrick has been searching for any sensational slot canyon hikes we could do while on future trips.  One of the places he researched, and found to be a substantial review, was Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rock Canyon Hike (also known as Tent Rocks) near Santa Fe, New Mexico, just south of the area we hiked at Bandelier earlier in the week.  It was one of the shorter drives (around 45 minutes) out of all the places he had on the list to visit, so it was a definite day-hike, and his parents and Grandpa Collins joined us too, although Grandpa and Ernie took the less strenuous loop while we hiked the canyon trail.

The hills kept multiplying as we drove further west.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rock National Monument promised to be a unique hike with a lot to see.  It also promised to be VERY busy, especially during holidays, weekends and spring break, so we were advised to go early or later to miss the main rush.

When we arrived there were very few parking places left, and there was a long line for the restrooms... both bad signs when you are wanting to hike a slot canyon with one way in and one way out, but we were going to check it out anyway.  It was super windy, and in the shade chilly, so we put on our jackets, hats and started out on the trail.

Once in the sunshine and protected from the wind, I was rethinking my choice to bring my coat, so I tied it around my waist, as did Everett, and we continued on the hike.

Elliot thought he saw that bird on the sign.

The hike we were taking was the 1.5 mile hike through the canyon to the overlook area, the dotted line on the map.

That tall mountain ridge in the distance was our final destination of this hike.
We could see people at the top walking around.

This sign told us a little about the layers of ejected pumice and ash from the ancient volcano to the North.

The canyon was composed of similar volcanic tuff layers like we experienced earlier in the week at Bandelier National Monument, and as I read a little about the area, the volcano to the North of the canyon was to thank for the large amounts of volcanic ash and compressed rock we would see.  As we hiked, through the dusty canyon, gusts of wind picked up particles and swirled them in the air.  The majority of the hike was spent educating Everett how to keep his eyes squinted and directed away from the wind so not to get dust and rock blown in his eyes.  He was not a fan of this hike because of the dust, and I was feeling it was going to be a long trip through, and up to the ridge.  Eventually, he stopped complaining so much, but for the entire hike, the dust, and blowing debris, was an issue for him.

Balanced rocks overhead.

The root systems on these trees were a wonder in themselves.

The layers against the blue sky were impressive.

This area is called Tent Rock because of the rocks you see that are pointed at the top.

We paused a lot, in the narrow areas, to allow other hikers to pass us or wait for them to come down so we could advance, so our pace was pretty slow and steady.  The kids walked under tree roots, over large mounds of rock and a few times tried to climb the walls like American Ninja Warriors (spider climb) as we traveled along the trail.  It was chilly, but not cold in the slot canyon, and the majority of it was open to the sky above, allowing us to get some sunshine every now and then to warm up.

Eli and Mom, almost at the top.

This hike traveled through the slot canyon then up along a ridge wall, where you could overlook the valley below.  As we hiked up the ridge we were met with a lot of people coming down, and it was tight in some places, as we waited for them to pass.  It was also getting windy, as we were exposed and coming out of the canyon, so the wind was picking up force and the kids were not excited about how strong the gusts were or how chilly the wind was at the top.  We stopped behind a bolder at the top, and a sparse juniper tree, to try and get some relief from the wind as the kids snacked on a few things from the pack, but honestly, aside from the view, it was pretty miserable at the top with the chilly gusts of wind.  I'm surprised we even got a decent photo, as right before we took our family photo I was loudly shouting over the wind to "stay away from the edge" and "hold on to me" for worry the kids would blow off or slip/trip if dust blew into their eyes.  I was relieved to start our decent down into the canyon again after the quick exploration of the ridge, although it was a spectacular view.

Grandma Vicky is great at keeping Elliot company as he hikes.

Love those balanced rocks!  As long as they stay balanced!

Snacking, resting and trying not to blow away at the top!

If you look closely, you can see the parking lot and the trail
we started on in the distance.

Grandma Vicky with her boys!

The specks of black that look like ants are other hikers on their way up.

Derrick's mom, sending a snap chat to Nicole at the very edge of the ridge.

Eli and Mom, at the top.

Once out of the wind, the kids were happy again, climbing and exploring the canyon.  We had to wait a few times again, as we came out of the narrows as other hikers were coming up, but it really was a nice hike down and back to the parking lot.

Interesting Tent Rock formations.

Please stay balanced, please stay balanced!

Resting, before going back into the narrow part of the slot canyon.

The really narrow parts had long lines at times.

Even though this hike was really congested with all the people visiting, it was scenic and worth the time, unless you ask Everett, who would probably say he hated it because of all the dirt he got in his eyes.  I will admit, no wind would have made it much more enjoyable, but it was still a lot of fun.