Grand Tour of the Caja del Rio Plateau

The Caja del Rio volcanic plateau is a vast rugged area located west of Santa Fe and east of the Rio Grande. The need to preserve this scenic and culturally diverse area has been in the news for several years now due to the proposed powerline for Los Alamos.

This outing will allow us to experience a large portion of the Caja plus some special geologic and archaeological features. We will take Forest Road 24 starting near the Caja del Rio landfill and exit the Caja near the Santa Fe airport, a 35-mile loop drive over rough terrain.

This outing involves a 2.6-mile moderate loop hike to the largest volcanic vent (blowhole) on the plateau which has a 20-foot diameter and 200-foot depth. We will be hiking off trail, dirt roads, and animal trails with an elevation change of about 500 feet. There are a few short steep sections so trekking poles are handy. Portions of the hike will be on rocky terrain with abundant cactus. Wear your good boots.

Along the last 2.5 miles of the road to the parking area there are some pretty rocky sections that pose no problem if driving with care with a 4wd high clearance vehicle.

We will drive from the northern end of the Caja to the southern end to tour a large, late pre-contact pueblo constructed between 1400 and 1480. The site overlooks a large watering hole in a deep arroyo which holds an awesome pueblo shrine adorn in petroglyphs. To tour the site, we will hike about a mile with less than 100 feet of elevation. On some sections we will be walking among basalt boulders. Easy hike.

Portions of the remaining drive will be on the old La Bajada Highway which was the original highway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe many years ago.

Check the weather report before the outing and bring the appropriate gear.

We will meet at the dog park in front of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter on the Caja del Rio Road where we will load into 4wd vehicles.

Please provide your driver $10.