Tent Rocks
Yesterday we went to a place called Tent Rocks just a few miles south of Santa Fe. It was just a few miles of hiking up to the top and then through the “cave loop”, but Frisco looked like he was going to die.
Here are two maps to give you an idea of where we were going. First an overview map that shows where our home next to Santa Fe is:
Then let’s zoom in on the “Tent Rocks” area in the Cochiti Pueblo:
At about 8:00am we left for the “Tent Rocks”, driving down on I-25 towards Albuquerque, exiting at the Cochiti Lake exit and going for a few more miles into the Cochiti Pueblo area. We were pleasantly surprised to only find two other cars waiting in the parking area. At about 9:15am we left the parking lot and started hiking to the top of the Tent Rocks area.
At the beginning of the hike you snake through a canyon rocks formations right and left of you. It’s quite interesting to see those odd-shaped rocks all over the place. They really do look like tents.
It didn’t take us too long to get to the top and we only met one other guy on the way up there. The 630ft height difference was actually not to too difficult, but Frisco did not like at all to be constantly on the leash (as the sign posted in the parking lot instructed us). Soon he was rushing from shadow to shadow and stopped whenever he found a cool spot.
From the top one has a nice view overlooking the tent rocks area with the Cochiti Lake in the background. We had a short break and filled up on water and fruit. Frisco got some of the grapes we had brought, which turned out to be a bad idea, because he threw them up on the way back down.
As we make our way down the mountain we run into a number of people who just started their ascent. It’s getting really hot now and we agree that it was a good idea to get an early start. On the way back to the parking lot, we take a right turn to go through the “cave loop”. The “cave” turns out to be a small natural hole on the side of a mountain, which seems to have been used as shelter in the past.
Two and a half hours after we left the car, we are back at the parking lot, pack up and drive back home to Santa Fe.
Is Tent Rock a state park? Incredible rock formations? What kind of rock is this? Looks like a soft rock. Lime rock?
No, it’s not a State Park. It’s in the Cochiti Pueblo area and thus on Native American land. Yes, I believe it is lime rock or some other sand-based rock material.
Amazing landscape!
nice place u guys were at, but i have one question, what happen to ur dog?, i see u carring him on the last pic
I really enjoyed your photos and story. I hiked Tent Rocks twice–spring 2003 and spring 2004. It is a favorite spot for its beauty, desolation (no one is ever there!) and untouched appearance. My biggest fear is that someday there will be paved paths, graffiti and the golden arches. I have emailed the Bureau of Land Management to urge them to keep Tent Rocks “as is.”