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.

A Day Trip to White Sands National Monument

One of the places I really wanted to see, while in New Mexico, was White Sands National Monument.  I've seen photos and have known people that have visited, and from the reviews and pictures, it looked to be an awesome place to experience.  Who doesn't love a giant white sandbox surrounded by mountains, right?  It's definitely something I don't get to see every day.

We had a lot of fun exploring the sand dunes!

Derrick and the kids were game, so with the winds calm, and the rest of the week looking to be just as windy as the beginning, we knew this was the only day to go.  Reviews said that the sand was blinding at mid-day, so we decided to go once the sun was lower in the sky and hopefully be able to enjoy playing in the sand and get some photos as the sun went down.

The drive was right under 4 hours, around 234 miles, so we grabbed sunglasses, some lunch, gassed up, and headed south to see what we could see.  The drive was actually quite scenic (different than Iowa anyway), and I'm disappointed I didn't do more research about things to see along the way.

As it turned out, there were a few places we could have stopped as we traveled, just for something different to see, but with our time crunch to get things done before the visitors center closed, we had to move along and just read about it as we passed by.  We will have to check out Valley of Fires Recreation Area and Three Rivers Petroglyph Site as we pass through that part of New Mexico next time.  Oh, and we can't forget to visit the Giant Pistachio Nut at McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch when we drive by too, it was impressive, even from the road.

As we drove we could see dust devils spinning around.  They are hard to photograph but neat to watch.

Three or four dust devils here.

This one was pretty large and really easy to see from the road.

When we arrived at the visitors center we stretched our legs, watched a video about the dunes and how they were formed, and picked up a sled and some wax so the kids could enjoy sledding on the dune fields.  Honestly, I could have packed our own sleds, and hauled them 30 hours back and forth across the country, but I had no idea if our sleds would have been the right ones to use, and for the small fee (and a souvenir of our trip), it was worth it not to deal with the hassle.  As it turned out, we don't own a sled like they sold, and I watched others try and use other types of snow sleds with very little success, so it was a win in my book.

The dunes are made up of gypsum, which comes from the nearby San Andres Mountain Range in the water run off, then as the water evaporates, it is left behind and is fragile, breaking off easily with the winds in this low basin area.  Over time it breaks down, turns to sand, and accumulates, forming the dunes.  275 square miles of dunes to be exact.  Always changing and moving with the western winds.  It's really a magical place to be.

They aren't kidding when they say white sand
(although its more off-white rather than pure white).

We picked out the tallest sand dune we could see and raced to the top.

The kids were so excited to go sledding!

Our van is parked in the center of the photo.
They aren't kidding when they say white sand as far as you can see!

After we found the largest slope, everyone was excited to get sledding!

Ethan was the first to attempt the hill.

Derrick has it on video, but he was actually moving pretty quick.  He wiped out at the end!

Everett's turn!

He skidded out at the bottom too.  No sad faces though.

Elliot's turn!  Ready to go!

I didn't get his wipeout photo, but Derrick did on video.
He took the hardest hit, and still wanted more!

Derrick, ready to go!

Not as impressive with the weight of an adult.
The kids flew down in comparison.

Eli wasn't a fan of the brightness or the chilly gypsum sand.

Hanging with Mom makes it all good!

He's walking a few steps on his own now, so we thought he might walk in the sand.

Not without Mom's hand this time, and not for long.

Races.  It was exhausting climbing back up the huge mound of sand.  Elliot did it over and over!

You can see all the grasses and yucca that have to fight the ever-changing terrain.  

The kids finished their Jr. Ranger booklets and swore in for their patches
and stamps right before the visitor center closed.

After turning in our nature books we were going to join a ranger and hiking group to go on a guided sunset hike throughout the dunes.  Once we arrived at the hiking location, Derrick and I made a decision  to grab the sled, hit a trail on our own, and make our own sunset hike.  The age of the group was mostly seniors, and our kids were pretty wound up to listen to a ranger, plus, where they were hiking was in an area of the most vegetation (which would have been interesting to learn about the plant life and vegetation), but I really wanted to be in the heart of the dunes, not on the outskirts, so we didn't join them for their hike.

We left our shoes behind at the van, and headed out on our own, keeping a mental note of the direction we were traveling (as it is very easy to get lost when surrounded by nothing but white sand).  The kids played, laughed and had fun running around in the openness, and Derrick and I enjoyed walking as the sun started to fall.  Ethan and I went up ahead one time and watched a man perform a tribal-sort-of-dance on a dune in the distance.  It was exhausting just to watch him, jumping, tossing his arms in the air, spinning and making all kinds of gestures with his body, but he kept at it as the sun set over the mountains (roughly 20 minutes or so).

The area we decided to hike in was an area that people often camp overnight, so there were a lot of hikers/campers on distant dunes, waiting and watching the sun fade as we were on our own spot in the middle of nowhere.  It would have been great to set up camp and experience the clear night of the moon on the sand dunes, but that will have to wait for a different time with older children.

I just loved the shadows and how the light looked, reflected on the dunes.

Obviously, I couldn't get enough photos of those ripples.

As the sun started to lower, our shadows got longer and longer and the sand turned pink and blue.
Family photo #1.

Family photo #2.  You can even see Eli's head poking out of my wrap.

Eli wasn't a fan of the sand, it was cold on our feet as the sun was lowering in the sky.
So he was happier in the sled.

I would have loved a few clouds to show the warm light of the sun as it faded,
but it was still pretty to watch.

We tried to rush back before all the light was gone for two reasons.
1. It was easy to get lost, and 2. our feet were FREEZING from the chilly sand.

Walking back to the van we could see the mountain range in the distance light up with the pink light of the sunset.

So long White Sands!

Everett was the most upset about how cold his feet were from the cold sand, but we quickly warmed up in the van, grabbed some food on the way home at the nearby town (Alamogordo, NM) and started the 4-hour drive back to the condo.  The kids said it was well worth the extra time and we all enjoyed a peaceful ride home.  I'm glad we took the day to go explore somewhere new.