Aztec New Mexico

06/20/2024

Antelope Canyon in Arizona 😲😍

06/20/2024

06/20/2024

Due to forecasted thunderstorms, potential smoke impacts, and possible road closures for firefighter safety, we have decided to cancel the Bat Outflight Guided Hikes for this weekend, June 21 & 22. We will reevaluate conditions next weekend and hope to be able to carry on with our bat programs then. Please stay tuned for updates and thank you for your understanding!

06/20/2024

to the January 1948 cover of New Mexico Magazine, featuring a Kodachrome reproduction captured at Taos Pueblo by John S. Barnes from Albuquerque.

To browse more covers, visit nmmag.us/100

06/20/2024

06/20/2024

Subtle magic changes the world subtly. Ancient Idaho is an animated series by Alexander Bee WInterhalter.

06/20/2024

06/20/2024

NM Highway 53 is now open in both directions. Be advised, sudden road closures can happen at anytime due to smoke limiting visibility and fire operations close to the roadway. Please slow down in the area of the fire to keep everyone safe.

06/20/2024

Incredible Sunset in Shiprock, New Mexico, USA 🇺🇸

06/20/2024

El Malpais National Monument News Release
For Immediate Release: June 19, 2024
Contact: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 505-876-2783

Additional firefighters arrive to Encerrita Fire ahead of weather change

Grants, NM — Additional crews arrived to the Encerrita Fire on Tuesday, bringing the total number of firefighters to 99 on the 1541-acre lightning-caused fire located in El Malpais National Monument, 15 miles south-southwest of Grants. Weather is expected to remain hot and dry today with increased winds over the fire ahead of a frontal passage that will bring precipitation to the region for the remainder of the week.

Yesterday, firefighters continued establishing an anchor point on the remote southwestern corner of the fire and constructing fire line to limit fire spread to the west. Engine crews identified possible fire lines and mitigated hazardous fuels near infrastructure ahead of the fire. Air tankers were able to support ground crews by creating retardant lines on the north and west sides of the fire to limit fire spread onto neighboring jurisdictions. Fire activity on Tuesday was reduced due to lighter winds, which led to minimal fire growth.

Today, firefighters will continue establishing direct and indirect fire lines on the west and north sides of the fire and engine crews will continue hazardous fuels reduction ahead of the fire. Southerly winds are expected to increase into the afternoon, which may lead to increased fire activity and additional smoke production.

Late Wednesday, a frontal passage will cause an increase in winds overnight with gusts up to 30 mph, which is expected to increase overnight fire activity. The passing front will bring moisture to the fire area, which will raise relative humidity and fuel moisture. Thursday’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies, scattered showers, and thunderstorms, which will aid firefighters’ efforts in the coming days.

Closures remain in effect in the monument. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and Zuni-Acoma Trail are closed in El Malpais National Monument from Porter Ranch Rd off Hwy 53 to Hwy 117; a CDT bypass is in place between CDT miles 502.5 to 512.5; more information is available on the CDT website. Both the western Zuni-Acoma Trail parking lot and the eastern Acoma-Zuni Trail parking lot are included in the closure. Closures have been posted and the public is asked to avoid closed roads, trails, and parking lots. The El Calderon Trail remains open.

Additional updates on the Encerrita fire will be available on Facebook and on Inciweb. Closure orders may be adjusted in the coming days based on fire activity; please contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at (505) 876-2783 or visit www.nps.gov/elma for additional information on closures in the monument.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmemp-encerrita-fire

06/20/2024

Amazing road in Moab, Utah 😍

06/20/2024

The massive rear wall of Pueblo Bonito at Chaco Canyon, built from about 860 to 1090.

06/20/2024

Please join us tomorrow, June 20, for a sunrise observation at Aztec Ruins National Monument. Visitors will be able to observe the sun rising in alignment with the north wall of the Great House just before 6:00am. After this, visitors will be invited to enter the Great Kiva to observe a shaft of sunlight shine through a doorway on the east side of the kiva as it travels across the west wall and aligns directly with a niche in the wall.

Park staff will open the park entrance gate at 5:30am. Visitors should park in the visitor center parking lot, and staff will direct them into the site. The park grounds will remain open after the event. Please call (505) 334-6174 with any questions.

This event is free of charge and doesn't require reservations.



Image description: The western wall of a circular room known as a Great Kiva. A beam of light is fixed at the bottom of a wall niche. A ranger and visitors are observing. Photo credit: Patrick Christman.

06/18/2024

⚠️Trail Closure⚠️

El Malpais fire crews are currently working a fire that started south of Encerrito. The Continental Divide Trail (CDT) and the Zuni-Acoma Trail (ZAT) are closed from Porter Ranch Road, off Highway 53, to Highway 117. The west parking lot for the ZAT is also closed. Fire crews are in the process of placing closure signs. Please avoid this area. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

The west side of the CDT remains open from the Emergency Operations Center to Porter Ranch Road. The El Calderon Trail is open.

06/18/2024

Ancient history. New memories.

06/18/2024

06/18/2024

Aerial View of Monument Valley 🇺🇸

06/18/2024

El Malpais National Monument News Release
For Immediate Release: June 17, 2024
Contact: El Malpais National Monument Visitor Center, 505-876-2783

Lightning Caused Fire Discovered on El Malpais National Monument Lands

Grants, NM —National Park Service staff discovered a lightning-caused fire burning on El Malpais National Monument lands on the afternoon of Saturday, June 15. The Encerrita Fire, reported by the Oso Lookout, is located approximately 15 miles south-southwest of Grants, NM.

As of Monday morning, there were approximately 60 firefighters working on the incident. The fire is burning in Ponderosa pine forest with a grass and timber litter understory with some medium logging slash from logging operations that were conducted pre-WWII.

On Monday, crews will begin establishing containment lines on the west, south and north sides of the fire to prevent fire spread onto neighboring jurisdictions; firefighters will be aided by the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) northeast and northwest of the fire as well as other natural features. The 369-acre East Encerrito prescribed fire, which was completed in April, is approximately 1.5 miles north of the fire; this fuels treatment is expected to be an effective fire break to the north due to the lack of fuel remaining in that area. Ground crews will be assisted by a helicopter beginning Monday.

The Encerrita fire is expected to be active over the coming days as temperatures will be in the upper 80s and low 90s, humidity will remain low, and winds will be breezy in the afternoons. Rain is forecasted over the area later in the week, which is expected to temper fire activity.

The Continental Divide Trail and Zuni-Acoma Trail are closed in El Malpais National Monument from Porter Ranch Rd off Hwy 53 to Hwy 117. The western Zuni-Acoma Trail parking lot is closed. Closures have been posted and the public is asked to avoid closed roads and trails. The west side of the CDT remains open from the Emergency Operations Center to Porter Ranch Road. The El Calderon Trail remains open.

Additional updates on the Encerrita fire will be available on Facebook . Closure orders may be adjusted in the coming days based on fire activity; please contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at (505) 876-2783 or visit www.nps.gov/elma for additional information on closures in the monument.

06/18/2024

Recently at El Morro National Monument, there was a nighttime low of 54 ͦ F, with a few rain sprinkles after daybreak, leaving a trace of precipitation.

That morning, the staff enjoyed the morning clouds, cooler temperatures, and the moisture in the air. And some of the plants opened their flowers, adding color and a pleasing aroma to El Morro. The scene was beautiful to see and smell.

It was just a bare trace of rain, but in the American southwest, sometimes a trace of rain can mean a lot to our native plants, prompting flowering and new growth.

Isn’t it amazing how so little precipitation can do so much for so many plants in an arid place?
With that morning’s sprinkles, do you think the plants were happy like us rangers, or were they too busy working hard to take advantage of nature’s momentary bounty?

Photo Credit: NPS Photo; Roland Whitted

06/18/2024

June is Great Outdoors Month, so come and spend some time outdoors exploring the Great House at Aztec West.

In addition to the self-guided trail you can take through Aztec West, did you know that there’s another trail that leads from the Visitor Center, through the picnic area, to the Animas River, and even into downtown Aztec? You can follow the path which comes close to tracing the steps of travelers along the Old Spanish Trail, which was first established in 1829 by Antonio Armijo on his journey from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to near Los Angeles, California. Our section of the trail leads through prairie dog habitat and across the Animas River. The distance from the picnic area to the river is ½ mile, and then it is another mile to downtown Aztec. Be sure to bring and drink plenty of water. Bonus: This trail is pet-friendly!

To learn more about Antonio Armijo and his journey on the Old Spanish Trail, follow this path: https://www.nps.gov/azru/learn/historyculture/antonio-armijo.htm

Image Description: A gray asphalt trail extends from the foreground to the middle of the scene with green grass on both sides. A large leafy green tree on the left stands in front of covered picnic tables, and two covered picnic tables are also on the right side of the trail. There is a row of green trees behind the picnic tables and blue sky with white clouds above the row of trees.

06/16/2024

Happy Father's Day!

It's the ideal day to embark on an exciting journey with dad and EXPLORE Aztec! Aztec promises a plethora of adventures, creating the perfect setting to honor the daring spirit of the remarkable man in your life this Father's Day.

06/15/2024

June 15th is National Nature Photography Day!

This is a day where we celebrate the wonder of landscapes we visit and those special moments that we capture. Perhaps it’s a grand vista, wildlife, or maybe a stunning sunset. The awe of nature provides those experiences that connect us with the magic of the natural world.

What are your most memorable outdoor experiences?

Image courtesy of Jamie Kern

06/14/2024

The summer solstice is in just a few weeks! Chaco Culture National Historical Park will be offering a number of events to celebrate including tours, star parties, dance performances, and a one-of-a-kind sunrise experience with the renowned R. Carlos Nakai on the 21st. Thank you to all who are participating and helping!

*Please note the sunrise event is limited to the first 100 visitors*

The gate to the loop road will open at 5:15am on Friday, June 21.

Stay tuned for more information about specific events over the course of June 20-22!



Image description: A document titled "Summer Solstice 2024" detailing events taking place at the park from Thursday, June 20 to Saturday, June 22, 2024. NPS Photo.