In the Loop Greeting Cards
In the Loop
Photo Taken: June 1st, 2026
Location: Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu New Mexico
Elevation 6,300’
The azure blue sky creates a stunning contrast to the layered rock walls on the newly re-routed lower Kitchen Mesa loop trail at Ghost Ranch. Take a minute to look for the raven’s nest high on the cliff face, as the raven soars past, it casts a dark shadow high on the wall. The layered walls are millions of years old and are composed of sandstone which was deposited 160 million years ago as sand 10* north of the equator. Now this location is 42* north of the equator, millions of years and tremendous movement and geologic forces have shaped the sand into the rock layers you see now.
The trail is a loop, and the distance is a manageable two miles if done from the Long House parking area. Enjoy the meander along the El Rito Yesso, the stream may be running if there is moisture. The huge cottonwoods at the trail junction provide respite from the sun and excellent seating for a snack break. As you walk along the trail and through the boulders that tumbled down long ago from above, keep an eye out for lizards darting after insects and skittering through the fallen leaves. Savor the quiet and clear skies and come back soon.
