Flutie says:

As a name-fanatic, I’ll agree this place is a little out-of-control. It’s Pueblo-language name, Kasha Katuwe, means ‘white cliffs’, but these are not so much cliffs as enormous domes resembling upside down ice-cream cones. And while each swirly, dense mound might look like a dessert dropped in the middle of the desert, in geologic terms these actually seem expelled rather than ingested…that’s right, they’re earth turds!

Yes – huge, hardened nuggets of rock and ash…our planet’s soiled remains, if you will; geological leftovers from an earthquake that erupted here some 6 to 7 million years ago .

Just hoodoo you think decided to call these penile-shaped eruptions ‘tent rocks’, then?

Whoever it was, it’s an overt nod to masculine energy, don’t you think?

Actually, the main draw of this hike is not the hoodoos themselves, but the slot canyon, which predictably receives no accolades nor even top billing. Yet there’s no doubt…the thrill of this 3 mile hike is to inch up in there – no matter how tight, how winding, how impossibly, intricately beautiful.

Eventually, with enough thrust and swagger, you’ll emerge on top of the trail, victorious – that much closer to heaven. 

In all seriousness, Kasha Katuwe is an awe-inspiring, fun, unique hike that I would recommend to anyone upright and steady on their feet. One lady did it with four rollicking boys in tow, and I’d like to nominate her for all eternity as ‘Mother of the Year’.

I, myself, turned back before ever summiting the mesa, because sheer drops terrify me, and the top of this hike is drastically edgy, née plunge-able. But Stu (no stranger to a plunger) admits no such precautions, his selfies proof enough that terra firma of this size and shape shall long be remembered!

Amidst such overt promiscuity these desert wildflowers beckon with their own ‘come hither’ ways. Note the Apache Plume, above, or the Banana Yucca, below, which Pueblo peoples used to make soap, shampoo, sandals, baskets, rope, paintbrushes (!), sewing needles, and food!

Even insects ‘do it’ till they drop here ….true endless love, folks, cockroach-style!

Kasha Katuwe is a mild-distance+majestic-demeanor hike that rocked our socks off, in all the best ways. And if you finish to completion and still crave a drink, well, you’re in for a long drive, but eventually stop here, in Albuquerque: Lit-Wit in tantalizing largess, as well! 

Stu says:

First of all, Flutie, “Kasha Katuwe” is from the Keresan language.

Secondly, these formations are not “earth turds” thrust out of the ground.  They, like the slot canyons, are the products of water erosion of the soft volcanic ash. (Really, where do you come up with this stuff?)

Which brings me to my third point:  earthquakes don’t erupt.  It was a volcanic eruption 1.4 to 1.1 million years ago.

Finally, you can’t name something “of the Year” for ALL ETERNITY! How much wine have you had without me?

All that aside, this IS a stunningly beautiful hike.  I, myself, enjoyed the female energy here! The lower trail is wide and flat and the slot canyon portion is easily navigable and close to the parking area.  Eventually, the trail goes up, up, up.  Flutie had to turn back because she doesn’t like edges.  There are indeed a lot of edges at the top.  But the trail is worth the trip even if you don’t go to the top.

I was curious about the big beautiful raptors I kept seeing.  (Flutie says “obsessed”)

I asked a woman from Texas if she knew what they were.  She said, “It’s a black bird,” so I wished her well and continued my hike.  Sigh. A pamphlet at the trail-head identified them as Turkey Vultures.  They are plentiful here and very beautiful.  (okay, maybe I am obsessed.)

Come to New Mexico and see them for yourselves! Just don’t expect any earthquakes!