Highlight Photos
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Annular Eclipse -
Bandera Volcano Crater -
Chaco – Casa Chiquito -
Ice Cave -
Chaco – Keystone entrance at Peñasco Blanco -
Morro NM inscription -
Chaco – Pueblo del Arroyo -
Milk Ranch Canyon -
Chaco – Kin Kletso -
Starwberry Canyon Trail
Highlights Map
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This extended weekend we had no plan really until we noticed that the annular eclipse will pass quite close to us and on Saturday. We look at hotels and surprisingly the prices are reasonable. So now we have a plan, we take an extra day off and on we go towards Gallup.
Surprisingly even with little research the trip was great, the eclipse was as interesting as we hoped, the volcano and ice cave were fun to visit, the historical inscriptions at Morro NM are impressive, the ruins at Casamero and Chaco really worth the out of the way driving and the additional hiking we did near Fort Wingate quite relaxing. The only problem we had was not related to the attractions but to the fact that on the return day we had two deflated tires that took a lot of time and nerves to fix and replace. Overall a really great trip in an area we don’t visit nearly enough.
To learn more click on the Links below or Markers on the map above to go directly to a specific part of our trip and follow our visit through Europe. Enjoy!
- Our first Annular Eclipse in Grants
We start our NM visit with our first ever annular eclipse that we are watching from an official location in Grants - Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano
One of the attractions we wanted to visit on this stretch of road is Bandera Volcano and Ice Caves a private attraction which is worth a stop - A Revisit of El Morro National Monument
We barely make it to El Morro prior to the closing of the trails and therefore can explore only the shorter trail to the many historic inscriptions on the cliffs - Casamero Pueblo, the lost one
Casamero Pueblo was on our radar for quite some time and today we finally made to this secluded ruin part of the Chaco culture area - Chaco NHP – Pueblo del Arroyo
We start our visit to Chaco with a tour of impressive Pueblo del Arroyo close to the start of the Penasco Blanco trail - Petroglyphs and Ruins on the way to Peñasco Blanco
The trail to Peñasco Blanco is a highlight in itself with a couple beautifully situated ruins and an extensive petroglyph area as well as the Supernova pictograph - Peñasco Blanco ruin and return
The highlight of the day is the exploration of Peñasco Blanco a well preserved ruin affording great views of the surrounding area before returning to the car - Pueblo Bonito and Casa Rinconada at night
Before returning to Gallup we visit in the increasing darkness Pueblo Bonito and with flashlights at Casa Rinconada the largest kiva found - An eventful morning and Milk Ranch Canyon
After a morning unexpectedly spent repairing our tire we drive to Milk Ranch Canyon for a nice hike in the high forest - Strawberry Canyon and a rough end to our unlucky day
Last hike in our trip is in Strawberry Canyon towards the top of the mountain before returning to Phoenix with another tire blowout on the way