Cone-shaped rock formations at Kasha-Katuwe National Monument near Cochiti Pueblo south of Santa Fe. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

A view from the trail in the slot canyon looking directly up through the rock formations as the sun hides behind the canyon walls. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

Having lived in Los Alamos for 30 years, I had heard about the tent rocks near Cochiti Pueblo but had never been to see the rock formations. During a recent visit to Los Alamos, we took a day and discovered what this park was all about.

Kasha-Katuwe National Monument is near Cochiti Pueblo south of Santa Fe. The tent rocks became a national monument in 2001. The term Kasha-Katuwe means “white cliffs” in the traditional language of the Pueblo.

The unique cone-shaped rock formations were created millions of years ago during the Jemez volcanic explosions. The tent rocks can range in height from a few feet to as high as 90 feet tall.

The park consists of a cave loop trail and a more difficult slot canyon trail. The park is for day use only and no camping is allowed. A typical view of tent rocks can be seen from the cave loop trail as well as  the slot canyon trail.

A hiker maneuvers his way through a section of the slot canyon trail at the national monument. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com

A lone tree stands on the side of a rock formation at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com