The same winter storm that closed White Sands deposited a great amount of snow on the area that surrounds the Village of Cochiti and the Kasha-Katuwe National Monument. We had the fortune to hike it while there was still quite a bit of snow, sometimes making the hike a bit treacherous. The photo above was taken at the top of the canyon that includes some of the most interesting hoodoos, a slot canyon (Greg now thinks of it as slick canyon), and yesterday . . . snow! The geology is fascinating, worth some exploring online. This was my third trip. Usually I can hike to the top, a 1.5 mile trek in about 2 hours, even with stops for photography. Not yesterday! It was worth every footstep. So, how do you get to the site where Greg stood? See below!

Yes!!  There is still snow here. — Yes!! There is still snow here.

And it was to fall over and over again.  On us, around us, and melting along the path! — And it was to fall over and over again. On us, around us, and melting along the path!

Elk prints and something else!  It was just spectacular before we even got to the canyon. — Elk prints and something else! It was just spectacular before we even got to the canyon.

Steve took a picture of my witchie tree.

As you approach the canyon, the hoodoo at the top is just a teaser.  Not knowing what is ahead, we get excited and shot it anyway. — As you approach the canyon, the hoodoo at the top is just a teaser. Not knowing what is ahead, we get excited and shot it anyway.

Adding a bit of elevation to the hike.  See our teaser hoodoo to the left? — Adding a bit of elevation to the hike. See our teaser hoodoo to the left?

Right inside the entrance to the canyon there is a tree (nice and green and healthy on top) with these fascinating roots.  Kids climb all over it.  Ann, of course, hiking way ahead of us, hiked all the way back so excited that she had foun… — Right inside the entrance to the canyon there is a tree (nice and green and healthy on top) with these fascinating roots. Kids climb all over it. Ann, of course, hiking way ahead of us, hiked all the way back so excited that she had found the tree we talked abut. She wanted her photo taken with Lefty and the roots. I hurried up with her and by the time we found the perfect perch that would not abuse his cute touché, we forgot to get Ann in the photo!!

I see an Italian cannelloni with thin frosting.

Snow fall!!  Sun burst.  YES! — Snow fall!! Sun burst. YES!

Still going in the upward direction.  Watch your head.  Cover your gear. — Still going in the upward direction. Watch your head. Cover your gear.

On every turn a new delight, new light, more snow.

Your path is on the right lower corner and then up to my perch.

A wider part of the slot canyon.  Some stretches are foot ahead of foot, slide, watch your camera!! — A wider part of the slot canyon. Some stretches are foot ahead of foot, slide, watch your camera!!

Coming out of the slot canyon into this!!

Steve got tired of our colors.  With artistic license . . . I like it. — Steve got tired of our colors. With artistic license . . . I like it.

The path is on the lower left.  Muddy, slippery.  The hard part is to keep your eye on the path. — The path is on the lower left. Muddy, slippery. The hard part is to keep your eye on the path.

By now I am out of breath, my legs ache, but every new discovery drives me to the top.

Somewhere along in here we took Ann's advice.  "You cannot carry tripods the rest of the way." She had already been to the top and hiked back to bear the news.  "It is too steep, slippery and treacherous.  You will need your hands fre… — Somewhere along in here we took Ann's advice. "You cannot carry tripods the rest of the way." She had already been to the top and hiked back to bear the news. "It is too steep, slippery and treacherous. You will need your hands free. You need to strap down your cameras." Since Steve and I have been to the top before, we took Greg's tripod and sent them on up. They had orders, of course. "Take photos. Many photos!!"

Now that you have reached the point of the hike where you are eye level.  Wows! — Now that you have reached the point of the hike where you are eye level. Wows!

Starting back down.  Eye level again. — Starting back down. Eye level again.

This could almost be a White Sands photo!!  We are now prepared as we can shoot snow!!  We can shoot white sand. — This could almost be a White Sands photo!! We are now prepared as we can shoot snow!! We can shoot white sand.

As we headed up the scenic road to Massai Point we were treated to spectacular views of Wonderland of Rocks as it was called when it first became a National Monument. The descriptive name is most appropriate. At first we imagined a hike into Echo Canyon. But, we were realistic. We were getting a late start and the drive to the Echo Canyon Trailhead was not going to happen quickly. That 8 mile road is a stopper . . . again and again. Even shooting from the car meant slowing down a bit.

At Massai Point you can see at least 180 degrees of the hoodoo panorama spread out below you. In many ways this panorama reminded me of Bryce Canyon and one day I want to return during the late afternoon Golden Hour to check out the change in color. We were there about midday and the colors were harsh, the shadows not helpful and the sky easily blown out. But that is not all that you can photograph! Rocks close at hand offer their own photographic challenges and opportunities.

A not too difficult walk from the parking lot gets you to the Massai Point Overlook.  It is from this point that many of the images above were shot. — A not too difficult walk from the parking lot gets you to the Massai Point Overlook. It is from this point that many of the images above were shot.

We returned to the parking lot at the Visitor Center to pick up our hikers, Greg and Ann and then drove to Tucson where we would overnight. Before leaving this post, however, I would like to thank the Civilian Conservation Corps of old for the great work they did in getting this Monument ready for thousands to enjoy. Their contribution is noted at the Monument . . . in photos!!

Hike the Kasha-Ketuwe

Chiricahua Mountain Part 2

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