Cochiti Lake, Tent Rocks, Slot Canyon & Rail Runner

[Adrian W]

We just spend 5 nights & 6 days (May 26 - 31) at Cochiti Lake and did two hikes at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument which was near by. The Slot Canyon Trail was really neat in the Slot Canyon part All on the Cochiti Pueblo land.

Between Santa Fe & ABQ, closer to Santa Fe. Went to Santa Fe to eat once as well. Also rode the Rail Runner Express Train which runs between Santa Fe & ABQ (but goes as far south as Belen).

We rode it from Kewa Station to Belen, a little too far as it turned out. Should have gone from Kewa Station to Santa Fe in hindsight. Rode it to take our grandson, he loves trains.

Had an extremely good time. First time at Cochiti Lake & Tent Rocks as well as first time to ride the Rail Runner.

The Army COE Campground was very nice, Tent Rocks was magnificent & the Rail Runner was really nice as well.

Camping sites with electric & water hookups was $10 per night with my Federal Senior Pass & entry to Tent Rocks was free with it as well.

We went fishing several times, but without much luck as well. Our Daughter went yesterday evening & caught a small White Bass. A very tasty fish.

Our Second Trip with our new Lance 1985, counting the Shake Down. Man! it is making us proud buying it. Worked like a champ, better than we imagined.

About 9.3 mpg towing it with the Ford F-150 with head & side winds going & returning, plus the many up & down hills along I-25 between Las Cruces & Cochiti area.

Adding a few things, such as covers for the Fan-Tastic Fan, bath fan vent & the door window. Have the material for covers for the skylight in shower, kitchen window & dinette slide window.

We've bought two Fan-Tastic White Ulta Breeze Vent Covers to place on the roof, but didn't have the time to place them before this trip.

Saw two Casitas there (unless the first one moved to a different site). Several Air Streams. All kinds of other rigs, some very large, many not so.

Very pleasant time for all, 3 adults & 1 child & his dog. The full queen bed was great for Papa & Grandma, the dinette bed worked great for them (dog had her bed on the floor). Having water & electric was a bonus we seldom have had, very nice indeed.

[Evergreengirl]

Thanks for the trip report. Looks like a really cool place. This is an area we've yet to explore so it will go on our wish list.

[keekers]

Thanks for the pictures and the report. Didn't even know about the areas you mention, but will have to check it out.
Patti

[Adrian W]

The only negative aspect of the campground would be: It was a Goathead Haven. Goatheads or Puncturevines (which is an apt description) are one of the worse 'stickers' anyone could ever step on. Murder on bare feet & doggie paws. One could not ride a bicycle around the campground very far if the tires were not filled with a puncture sealer. Shoes bring them into the camper. A real mean looking seed case for sure:
Goatheads/Puncturevines.

Quote From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Tribulus terrestris is a flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil. Like many weedy species, this plant has many common names, including bindii, bullhead, burra gokharu, caltrop, cat's head, devil's eyelashes, devil's thorn, devil's weed, goathead, puncturevine, and tackweed....The plant is widely naturalised in the Americas and also in Australia south of its native range. In some states in the United States, it is considered a noxious weed and an invasive species."