Exploring New Mexico, land of enchantment

[jw5]

Exploring New Mexico, land of enchantment​

Not for nothing is New Mexico known as the "Land of Enchantment." One of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, New Mexico is blessed with one of the most scenic and diverse landscapes in North America. Rich in Native American and Hispanic culture, the state draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the nation to its enviable collection of historic sites and natural wonders.

 

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Carlsbad Caverns National Park​

Delve underground and discover the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Comprised of around 120 known caves, this amazing subterranean UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico.

 

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Inside Carlsbad Caverns National Park​

Carved from limestone deposited in an ancient sea, the underground chambers form one of the state's most famous visitor attractions—and one of the largest cave systems in the world! The Temple of the Sun formation in the Big Room (pictured) is one of the extraordinary geological highlights of this hidden marvel.

 

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Chaco Culture National Historical Park​

If you only have time to tick off one archaeological site in New Mexico, make sure it's the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This centuries-old settlement is one of the most important pre-Columbian cultural and historical areas in the United States, and deserving of its World Heritage status.

 

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[jw5]

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[jw5]

Fajada Butte​

Set within sight of the ruins and standing 135 m (442 ft) above the canyon floor is Fajada Butte. Built into the higher regions of this natural wonder are simple cliff dwellings that have no apparent utilitarian purpose. Instead, archaeologists believe the butte was of considerable ceremonial importance for the Chacoan people.

 

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White Sands National Monument​

Carpeting the south of New Mexico is the White Sands National Monument. It's a vast park of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals, and is the largest of its kind on Earth.

 

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Sledding the park​

The unworldly environment features dunes up to 18 m (60 ft) high that appear like enormous snowdrifts. The undulating landscape is constantly displaced by the wind, and, besides trekking on foot, the most rewarding way of enjoying the park is by sledding the shifting slopes.

 

[jw5]

Taos Pueblo​

New Mexico is home to the oldest continuously-inhabited dwellings in the United States, the adobe structures of Taos Pueblo. The buildings date back to between 1000 and 1450, and the entire community is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

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Taos Pow Wow​

The annual summer event at Taos Pueblo is the colorful Taos Pow Wow. This is one of the country's largest gathering of Indian Nations and features authentic Native American dancing and drumming contests.

 

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Ranchos de Taos​

Nearby Ranchos de Taos is worth a detour for its beautiful San Francisco de Asís Mission Church. Built between 1772 and 1816, its stands as a fine example of a New Mexico Spanish colonial place of worship.

 

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Bandelier National Monument​

The Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes of the territory of the Ancestral Puebloans, an area likely occupied from 1150 to 1600. It's possible to explore these indigenous habitats, which offer a glimpse into Pueblo culture and daily life.

 

[TheGreatWhite]

View attachment 149699

White Sands National Monument​

Carpeting the south of New Mexico is the White Sands National Monument. It's a vast park of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals, and is the largest of its kind on Earth.

Wow v interesting

 

[jw5]

Tsankawi Trail​

Detached from the Bandelier National Park but still very much accessible is the Tsankawi Trail. Following this looped footpath provides access to numerous unexcavated ruins, caves, and a series of petroglyphs (pictured), a form of rock art.

 

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Petroglyph National Monument​

The most stunning collection of petroglyphs, however, make up the Petroglyph National Monument. Approximately 20,000 petroglyphs are carved into basalt rock, created centuries ago by indigenous peoples and early Spanish settlers. A series of hiking trails run past these ancient canvasses.

 

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Pecos National Historical Park​

New Mexico's archaeological treasures include the Pecos National Historical Park. This is the site of what was once one of the largest Native American pueblos in the state, inhabited from the early 14th century until 1838. The impressive ruins of the mission church (pictured) serve as a focal point. The park also encompasses the Glorieta Pass Battlefield, scene of an 1862 American Civil War battle that ended Confederate ambitions to cut off the West from the Union.

 

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Sante Fe​

Santa Fe is the state capital, and in fact the oldest state capital in the United States, having been founded in 1610 as the capital of Nuevo México. It's certainly worth considering the city as a base from which to explore further, but not before you've discovered its own unique visitor attractions.