Tent Rock National Monument

With the warm weather, we thought we would spend the day at Tent Rocks National Monument.  It was a very popular outing.  People probably showed up in droves because it was a beautiful weather day and the entrance fee was waived due to Veterans Day.

The cone-shaped tent rock formations are the products of the Jemez volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago and left pumice, ash and volcanic tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick.  Precariously perched on many of the tapering hoodoos are boulder caps that protect the softer pumice and volcanic tuff below.

Click on any photo to see larger version.

The trail starts out with a walk through a slot canyon which was very cool.

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The trail then goes up 600 feet to top of the mesa.  It was very strenuous but had great views.  The total hike is around 3 miles round trip.

You end up on the top of that point in the middle of the above photo.  After our hike, we stopped at Cochiti Lake for lunch.  It's a nice location with great company.  On to next weekend.