Hiking Rattlesnake Canyon In New Mexico

Rattlesnake Canyon is the highest point of the hike. The start of the hike is down into a creek bed, crossing the creek and then hiking back up to a high path on the edge of the canyon. Then about half-mile hike, the hiking trail goes vertically down through a bunch of rock stairs until you reach the canyon’s floor once again.

Rattlesnake Canyon (Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM)

Staying on the trail isn’t too hard. It’s a pretty well-defined trail, defined enough that even Knox knew which way to go as he ran ahead. There are also rock cairns of various sizes along that trail marking where you should go. Save some energy because you’ll have to go back up those two vertical areas when you come back out. Even though they have steps built in, it’ll get your heart rate up. Overall… Read more at 160K

Slot canyons are narrow canyons, like a crevice, that results from rushing water capitalizing on a fissure in another rock formation. Over the years, the liquid carves a beautiful canyon, wider at the top than at the canyon’s lower bed. These slot canyons are found most often in dry places, like areas in New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and California.

A hiker’s sampler of the Southwest’s slot canyons

The Southwest has so many slot canyons — the number is said to be more than 1,000 — that you could get a crick in your neck exploring this bounty. (You’ll spend a lot of time looking up at the sliver of light that plays off the narrow walls.)… Read more at Los Angeles Times

Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons Escalante, Utah

Zebra and Tunnel Slot Canyons in Escalante, Utah are unique. The banding in the sandstone in Zebra is not like many other slots. The colors are different and nature’s design is one of a kind. Although the canyon is very short it has a lot to offer to the… Watch here