サンタクララ山脈の天然記念物・トップ20

San Antonio Hot Springs has natural hot water coming out of several sources of the hillsides. There are a few soaking pools made of primitive rock circles, each with a different temperature. There is a shorter trail that is only 0.7 miles out and back from Lake Forest Drive, but the road to get there can be closed in the winter.

The trail passes by large panels of petroglyphs (carved pictures), that are thought to be hundreds of years old. Although their exact meaning is unknown, they are most likely not a type of written language, but rather held deep spiritual and artistic significance to ancient (and modern) indigenous people. There are many petroglyphs in this area, so be sure to take your time to try to find all of them - many of them blend in with their surroundings! Like in most archeological sites, please do not touch these ancient carvings.

The cavetes are located just below the ancient central village plaza in the cliff bands that make up the mesa. These cavates (human excavated cavities) were places where people could take shelter from the elements; the thick stone walls provided insulation from both the cold of winter and heat of summer. Talus pueblos were also most-likely constructed in front of the entrance to the cavates to further protect people from wind, rain, snow, and perhaps most importantly in the desert, heat. Please only enter cavetes that are immediately adjacent to the trail - the other cavets are dangerous to access.

San Antonio Hot Springs has natural hot water coming out of several sources of the hillsides. There are a few soaking pools made of primitive rock circles, each with a different temperature. There is a shorter trail that is only 0.7 miles out and back from Lake Forest Drive, but the road to get there can be closed in the winter. Running the San Antonio Creek Trail is a great alternative and a nice way to see the beauty of the local forests.

Hot or warm springs near Jemez Falls. There are several here with the top being the largest and warmest pool. As you go down they get smaller but also more natural and deeper. Definitely recommend, especially during the week when you can swim here for hours without meeting another person.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is on public BLM land (Bureau of Land Management), and before arriving, visitors should check to see if the area is open at blm.gov/visit/kktr This area has impressive geological features, including cone-shaped tent rock formations. This area is open to foot traffic only, and the elevation of the area ranges from 5,570 feet to 6,760 feet above sea level.

Lower Frijoles Falls is the last stop on the Falls Trail before it terminates. Here, hikers get a view over the Lower Frijoles Falls, where, in different seasons, water can be flowing low or rushing out! In the winter months, it gets cold enough for ice cycles to form around the falls. The canyon around the falls has multicolored rocks and foliage that changes with the seasons as well.

This alcove is located 140 feet above the floor of Frijoles Canyon and once housed 25 Ancestral Pueblo people. The Alcove House is now accessed by a series of wooden ladders.