Continued from
page 2.
Onward and forward. This part of the trail undulates up and
down, often through chutes formed in the soft volcanic tuff:
Just beyond this rocky area Jim was again waiting for me in the
shade -- to be sure I didn't miss the petroglyphs along
the path:
No way would I have missed those! I remember them from the
previous times I've walked through here so I was looking for
them. I didn't remember exactly where they were, however.
Although some of the visible rock art at Tsankawi dates from
Spanish Colonial times (late 1800s-early 1900s) the site
brochure indicates the petroglyphs shown below are of Ancestral Pueblo origin:
There are other petroglyphs (and probably pictographs) in the
park but they aren't close to the official visitors' trails.
After this high rocky section the trail descends through more
deep, narrow rock chutes, then continues to undulate along the
cliff:
Jim's 'way ahead of me again (little red dot in distance);
he "savors" scenery faster than I do:
Near the end of the loop the trail becomes more flat and it
follows
the edge of the ledge. Fortunately, by now you've dropped down
close enough to the bottom of the canyon that a fall wouldn't be as dangerous!
A look back
Nearing the end of the loop
Another look back
Now we're back to the rock platform near the
beginning of the trail; it's to the left in the picture
below:
Tsankawi is a little-known national monument but a
fascinating place to visit, on many levels (no pun intended). Some
people come for the cultural history and/or spiritual significance of
the place; others come to study the
geology of the high desert.
As an amateur photographer and connoisseur of natural
beauty, I'm primarily drawn to the stunning landscape. On a beautiful
day like this I could have spent even more hours taking photos,
examining plants and rocks, and gazing out at the magnificent scenery.
I encourage readers to visit Tsankawi and the
better-known Bandelier. Tsankawi has some rough trails; I realize
not everyone can climb up or down rustic ladders, over rocks, or through
deep, narrow chutes in the volcanic rock.
I've tried to give a representative "picture" of various
obstacles so readers can determine if they are physically able
to hike this trail.
Keep in mind that both Jim and I have arthritis and some
significant knee problems. We do not consider this loop to be
very difficult. You don't have to go fast on the trail loop or ladders;
in a place like this, just take your time, be careful, and absorb as
much as you can of your surroundings.
For more information about
Tsankawi and
Bandelier,
click on the links. I'll have a separate entry on Bandelier after we
visit it again next week.
Next entry: hiking the Bayo Canyon trail loop
Happy trails,
Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil,
and Cody the Ultra Lab
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© 2011 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil