Foster Dogs' Namesakes: Kasha

Some of you may remember our foster girl Kasha. She's a beautiful gal who loves her lap time and now lives on Vashon Island in Washington State.

Kasha

So I was very excited to be visiting an equally cool Kasha - her namesake, the Kasha Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. Ends up this beautiful dog was named after a beautiful place. We drove out yesterday and even just from the parking area there was a gorgeous view.

View of one of the tent rock mesas from the parking area

We weren't stopping in the parking lot though. There are two trails at the monument and the first is just an easy loop up to a cave that was used as a home by some pre-Pueblon person - you can see the blackened roof still from the smoke, and a ledge and small nook. Unfortunately you can also see the graffiti that idiots have carved into the soft stone.

Cave on the Cave Loop Trail

The Cave Loop Trail was a nice little walk but nothing compared the the more strenuous and incredibly beautiful Slot Canyon Trail. It was even mostly in the shade which was nice for a change. The canyon had 20-50 foot walls and at points narrowed to a V where the trail was so narrow that I couldn't fit my Keen sandal in the slot and had to use the walls to keep my balance. At spots we had to crawl under boulders and scramble of rocks. It was fun and mouth dropping gorgeous.

Slot canyon trail

Slot canyon trail

Hoodoos (tent rocks) from their base

And hoodoos from the top

At the end of the canyon the trail climbed sharply up to the ridge and followed the ridge line with beautiful views of Sandia, Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. 

View from the ridge