Made it to Grants, New Mexico and stopped for fuel. Didn’t have anything planned in this area so I took a survey of the map and found an interesting feature relatively nearby. Headed south on NM-117 into El Mapais National Monument / National Conservation Area and checked out the La Ventana Natural Arch, the second largest natural arch in the state (first place goes to Snake Arch but it’s on private Navajo Nation land). Signs at the trailhead detail how the arches are formed from freeze/thaw cycles and erosion.
The trail itself is partially paved and accessible, the other part being very well graded gravel with very little elevation change. You can even partially see the arch right from the parking lot but better direct views are just a short walk away.
Around halfway the gravel starts and there are two benches for taking a rest and enjoying the scenery.
And just a few steps more and we have reached the bottom of the arch. This is as close as you can get, climbing beyond this point is not allowed to protect the rocks and plant life.
Here’s a slightly zoomed view to get more detail. Photos are deceptive, this is a much larger feature in real life with a total span of 135 feet. It is interesting to see how the rock is cleanly fractured and not fully smoothed out or rounded off as compared to some others, possibly has to do with the age and level of erosion from weather.
Take time on the return trip to enjoy the numerous plants and possibly even animals (none today). Check out this cactus – not 100% sure but looks like a prickly pear, just uncertain because I haven’t seen one with such long and numerous spines.
Also be sure to look up to the top of the sandstone cliffs. According to the sign they are composed mostly of Jurassic Zuni Sandstone dating back 160 million years. At the very top there is a white strip of Dakota Sandstone dating back to 96 million years ago and marks the advance of the Western Interior Seaway. Imagine the changes that have occurred since those times – the water that covered this area is long gone and replaced by volcanic rock in the lower areas, and the now tall cliffs were once under water in a vast inland sea. Put into perspective, us humans are no more than a butterfly’s wing flap on the grand timeline.
After finishing at the arch I decided to head back north and west again towards Gallup. It’s a fantastic drive and it means I was able to see the huge sandstone cliffs going in both directions. 10/10 would recommend.
Also on the northbound journey the skies cleared up a bit and I was able to watch Mount Taylor towering over everything below in the far distance. Another case where photos don’t do it justice, it’s huge. Peaks look white but I don’t think that’s snow, maybe just how the sun is hitting the open areas, maybe from burns. Not sure but it’s still an absolutely stunning sight.
