An Inspired Cook

If you ventured along with Joe and I to the top of Pyramid Rock, you will likely enjoy our hike along the Church Rock Trail, which is also part of Red Rock Park. From the start of the trail, this majestic image has the features of a church and steeple. Church Rock trail includes two loops which resembles a figure 8. The first trail covers 2.6 miles round trip looping back when you get to the base of Church Rock. The second loop is approximately another 1.5 miles and continues around Church Rock. The trail takes you close to the rock formations with a little bit of climbing and scrambling. The perspective changes as you take a 360 degree look at all sides and angles. We found a narrow slot canyon hidden by tent rocks decorated in layers of color. We spotted a white sand dune in the distance that turned out to be a mirage; it was actually white rock that has been carved by wind and sand in the image of a dune. Oh, and if you use your imagination you might find an image of the “Mother Mary” in a rock. At least that’s what the locals told us. I’m reminded by a quote from my son Josh; “don’t look at your feet, always look ahead and upward or you’ll miss the best part”!

My heart is saddened that over the last couple of month’s our beautiful state has been ravaged by wild fires. We are under severe drought conditions and have been battling high winds which makes it so hard to contain them. Please don’t take nature for granted. If there are places you’ve dreamt of seeing, don’t put it off for tomorrow. Enjoy them now while you still can.

We walked along the edge of a ravine with a dry creek below. The Church rock is in the distance with rock formations across the ravine for us to enjoy.

We are getting close to the area where we have the option to loop back or take the extra loop around Church Rock.

Joe and I named this “The Big Wave” because it reminded us of a surf wave!

We are going clockwise around Church Rock now. This section looks like it has scars across the rock. I found it interesting.

From this side we can barely see the steeple. The sun rays are glowing around it.

Looking out across the mesa’s from the back of Church Rock. Love this artistic dead tree!

Lizard tracks in the sand.

The trail isn’t clear in this area. We scrambled up part way to find some rock sculptures up ahead.

Can you see the sun or maybe sunflower carved in the rock?

The skies are the darkest blue when looking west.

And sometimes heads pop up out of nowhere! Could be Ninja Turtles. . . .

Just around the bend are some tent rocks.

A closer look shows off the layers and colors.

Within the tent rocks we found a narrow slot canyon. It doesn’t go far but it is amazing nonetheless.

The view inside the slot canyon looking up.

As we round the corner we can see Pyramid Rock in the distance.

This truly looked like a sand dune but actually it’s just white rock.

Standing underneath the steeple looking up.

Some of my favorite side views . . .

As we start to head back we see this little colony of hoodoos that remind me of the Goblin Colony in Jemez, NM.

These are the Mesa’s to the south as we head back.

This part of the trail takes us along the sandstone rock.

There are steps carved out of the rock to make it easier to scale the rock along the trail. We are on the back side of the loop looking to where the trail began.

This rock stood out like a ship. The steeple sits high above it with a crow flying in the wind.

We met some locals along the way that pointed out the “Mother Mary” that appears in the rock.

I hope you enjoyed Church Rock Trail. Joe and I are heading to historic Chaco Canyon this weekend. Hope to take you on a tour soon!