Kwastiyukwa Pueblo Ruins - Holiday Mesa Jemez Mountains
Details
Kwastiyukwa Pueblo Ruin (Giant Footprint Ruin)
Let’s try this again and hopefully the roads are good.
Hiking distance - 2.5 miles
200 feet elevation change
Loop hike
Off trail and dirt road
Elevation - 7600
Ponderosa and mixed forest
Driving distance to trailhead - 80 miles
The Giant Footprint Ruin is located on Holiday Mesa west of Jemez Springs and is one of the largest Jemez Pueblo sites with 1,250 rooms, five kiva depressions, one large communal kiva, and a reservoir. Some parts of this impressive ruin were two stories high, however, another archaeologist estimates that it was much larger. It is reported that this was the first site in the Jemez Mountains to be occupied by the Jemez people.
The site has an enormous collection of pot sherds and other artifacts which all must be left at the site for others to appreciate and future research (collecting is unlawful). Pottery has been dated back to 1325 AD and there is evidence that there may have been occupation after the Pueblo Revolt in 1692.
On our way we can see a logging operation and pass a small 250 room ruin. Our parking area is nestled under Ponderosas and is located on a rise above a bad section of the road. We will follow the road for about a mile to a breathtaking view of Virgin Canyon and then we will bushwhack up a low plateau to find the site. Our return route is an old logging road and bushwhack (this is where I stepped over a large rattler without knowing it). This may not be a good one for dogs.
Getting to the parking area takes some time as the last six miles of the road are very rough and slow going. A 4wd high clearance vehicle is mandatory.
Everyone will be placed on a waitlist and those with the proper vehicles and that I have hiked with before will be given priority.
Please pay your driver $15.