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  • Tag: national-parks

    • El Morro National Monument and Inscription Rock Trail Part 1

      Posted at 11:49 am by NativeNM, on May 20, 2025

      If you ever feel like taking a trip back in time, El Morro National Monument and Inscription Rock is the place to visit. There are 700 years of history starting with the Puebloan Ancestors who built dwellings on top of the Mesa. According to NPS History, Atsinna Pueblo is the largest of the pueblos atop El Morro, dating back to 1275. The Spanish Conquistadors arrived in the 1500’s and in 1598 Don Juan de Oñate officially colonized New Mexico. He is believed to be the first to inscribe his name in the rock dated April 16, 1605. The Mexican-American War (1846-48) made New Mexico a territory of the United States. The US Army surveyed the area for a route west as a new wave of Americans ventured westward. As they traveled through, they added their names and sometimes a message to the rock which became “Inscription Rock”. There are more than 2000 inscriptions and petroglyphs that are visible today. I have to say that this is one of my favorite places to visit. It leaves me in awe to see the beautiful landscape with all the natural formations as well as the historic Inscription Rock. I hope you enjoy taking the hike with us!

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged El Morro National Monument, hiking, Inscription Rock, Inscription Rock Trail, national-parks, New Mexico, Travel, Travel in New Mexico

    • Tsankawi Prehistoric Site

      Posted at 10:32 am by NativeNM, on July 19, 2024

      Tsankawi Prehistoric Site is a separate part of Bandelier National Monument; located approximately 12 miles from Bandelier off of State Hwy 4. Tsankawi is a 1.5 mile loop that literally follows the footsteps of the ancestral Puebloans. It is believed that they first occupied the area around 1400 A.D. The trail loop is a path that has been worn into the rock as the natives traveled from the mesa tops to their farms in the canyons below. There was a village built on top of the mesa out of tuff stone and mud. It was roughly rectangular in shape, with about 350 rooms and an enclosed central courtyard. The trail leading to this area is closed at this time, however we were able to see the homes that were built along the base of the cliffs. They dug cavates out of the soft tuff stone known as talus pueblos. Taking photos from within the caves are quite beautiful; you can see the landscape and sky through the holes they created. There is definitely a door like opening with smaller holes that appear to be windows to let in light and the blue skies above. The most amazing part of the loop is the centuries old footpath that has been worn though the soft stone which look like footsteps or a smooth narrow trench. When on top of the mesa, you can see the vast landscape for miles with Los Alamos in the distance. Following the path of the native ancestors left us with a feeling of being transported in time.

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments | Tagged #TsankawiPrehistoricSite, @Tsankawi Prehistoric Site, Bandelier National Monument Tsankawi, Day Trips, hiking, Los Alamos New Mexico, national-parks, New Mexico, Travel, Tsankawi Prehistoric Site

    • Valles Caldera National Preserve

      Posted at 9:56 am by NativeNM, on July 5, 2024

      The Valles Caldera is the result of a volcanic eruption that happened over a million years ago which created a volcanic depression in the earth approximately 14 miles wide in diameter. Located in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, it is now a beautiful valley known for it’s huge grassland meadows, the East Fork Jemez River and hiking trails. It is also a wildlife preserve and home to the 2nd largest elk population in New Mexico. You might see prairie dogs that pop up along the road to the Valle Grande entrance station or a coyote strolling through the grassy meadow. There are numerous hiking trails in and around the preserve but if you want to hike or backpack in the backcountry you will need a pass or a code to drive to the backcountry trails. They only allow a few vehicles in the backcountry per day. Check in with the entrance station or reserve a pass online. Over the past 5 years we’ve visited the Valles Caldera numerous times and each time is a different experience. Sometimes it’s sunny, sometimes foggy or low lying clouds in the valley. Depending on the rainfall, the meadow can be gorgeous green or a dull wheat color. We love to go in late Spring and early Summer when the wildflowers are in bloom. This is one of our favorite places to get away. Here’s a fun fact: If you’ve ever seen the tv show “Longmire”, you might recognize the cabin and stables where Walt Longmire’s ranch scenes were filmed. While the series took place in Absaroka County, Wyoming, it was actually filmed in NM. The Sherriff office and town scenes were filmed in Las Vegas, NM. I hope you will enjoy some of our adventures over the past few years exploring the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments | Tagged East Fork Jemez River, Elk Preserve, Hidden Valley Hiking Trail, hiking, Jemez Mountains, mountains, national-parks, New Mexico, New Mexico Wildflowers, Travel, Valles Caldera, Valles Caldera National Preserve

    • White Sands National Park

      Posted at 9:38 am by NativeNM, on May 3, 2024

      It’s that time of year when Joe and I come out of hibernation to spend our free days finding new adventures in New Mexico. We decided to travel down south with our first stop being White Sands National Park. Our day at White Sands was one of the most memorable days ever. Located in the Tularosa Basin lies the world’s largest gypsum dunes. Over millions of years wind and water have eroded the gypsum into fine grains of sand. You will find soft pillowy sand dunes as well as hard packed areas. There are sculptures formed around hearty vegetation that grows here. What I especially loved was the swirly patterns in the sand created by the wind. The path is marked by footprints and markers along the way to keep you on trail. When you arrive at one marker you will see another marker in the distance so you know which direction to follow. Walking through soft sand is not easy. Always take enough water as there are no water stations to refill except at the visitor center which is several miles away. Wear light colored clothing and use sunscreen as the temperature can feel much warmer than the actual temperature. Make sure you are prepared to walk in sand, it is a slow trek and difficult to climb the numerous dunes with one step forward while sliding a half step back. But hiking down hills are so much fun, Joe and I held hands and ran down the dunes like little kids. Every step down would sink up to our knees filling our shoes with sand, but it was a small price to pay. I wish everyone could experience White Sands at least once, the stark beauty will take your breath away. I know that Joe and I are already planning our next trip to White Sands where you can’t feel anything other than awe and wonder!

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      Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments | Tagged #WhiteSandsNationalPark, @WhiteSandsNationalPark, Alamogordo New Mexico, national-parks, New Mexico, Sand Dunes, White Gypsum Sand, White Sand Dunes, White Sands National Monument, White Sands National Park, White Sands New Mexico, White Sands NP
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