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A red rock slot canyon experience does not require a journey to Las Cruces or even Utah. Less than 50 miles from sa国际传媒官网网页入口, the Jemez Pueblo鈥檚 Walatowa Red Rock Trails are open to all with a permit or on a guided tour.

Purchase a permit at the Walatowa Visitor Center. It鈥檚 located past the tribal gas station, the last place to purchase fuel as you head for a high-altitude, pine-tree filled Jemez Mountain escape along New Mexico 4.

A guided tour turns a beautiful hike into a fascinating history lesson and introduction to Jemez Pueblo, its unique Towa language and culture.

Walatowa, the main village the Pueblo has called home for hundreds of years, translates to 鈥渢his is the place,鈥� according to information supplied by the tribe. The people of Jemez are tied to the land, said trail guide Alex Toledo, but are willing to share this scenery with those who follow some simple rules and respect the towering red cliffs. 

Many times I鈥檝e zipped past this stop heading to the high country with dogs and children in tow 鈥� or only made a quick stop at the convenience store for gas or snacks or at one of the booths where families sell treats and jewelry.

As many as 30,000 Jemez people once lived in villages scattered through the area, Toledo said. He said you can learn of their history at the visitor center鈥檚 free museum. 

The Red Rocks Trails are among the hidden treasures of Sandoval County, a county with bountiful scenery and historic sites including Bandelier National Monument, Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and Valles Caldera National Preserve, all close enough for a day trip from sa国际传媒官网网页入口.

The trail, an easy to moderate path that鈥檚 slightly less than two miles, leads past cactus 鈥� blooming after recent spring rains 鈥� and red rocks as crows and hawks sing songs of ownership. Benches along the way provide a place to inhale the beauty surrounding you. On a hot day covered rest areas provide respite along the mostly gentle incline that winds deeper toward a mesa that shelters a slot canyon.

The trail winds to dead ends in a slot canyon, where red walls close in 鈥� almost close enough to reach each side with a long stretch 鈥� and ferns and insects and other lovers of shade line the rocky pathway.

Our guide, who has lived in Walwatowa most of his life since he was 7 years old, was knowledgeable on the trail and the history of his people, known to themselves as the Hemish before the Spanish arrived. He shared his experience as a boy.

The trail tour allows him to share the beauty and the history of his people with outsiders, as well as people of his Pueblo, he said. 

鈥淚 want to make this place more welcoming to my community 鈥� to make them feel comfortable in their own place,鈥� Toledo said.

Toledo, who also is the chef for the coffee bar and cafe, said he is working with Jemez Enterprises marketing manager Chaz Rose in consultation with the Jemez leaders to provide more art events, especially for youth.

Rose said his mission is to expand events and access to the Pueblo, which relies on business and tourism rather than gambling.

鈥淭he Pueblo of Jemez currently does not allow alcohol sales nor are we a gaming tribe; because of that, we are putting a heavy focus on outdoor recreation as a profit center for the Pueblo,鈥� Rose said. 鈥淣ot only can it bring revenue in for the tribe. But it gives our community members access to outdoor recreational opportunities that they may otherwise not have access too.鈥�

Rose says the tribe is in planning stages for longer, authentic Pueblo experiences, including the guided hike, demonstrations by artists and sampling foods, including the renowned Jemez red chile and enchiladas. What is being called the Jemez Adventure Park with disc golf, mountain bike paths and outdoor pavilion, is in the works, he said, thanks in part to a state of New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Department grant.

鈥淭his was the idea for developing our Jemez Adventure Park, and why we went after and received the outdoor equity grant,鈥� Rose said. 鈥淲e are partnering with our local summer camp and taking 60 kids on a four-day camping trip into the Jemez mountains.

鈥淭he grant funded brand new camping equipment for the kids. So if any kids don鈥檛 have the proper camping equipment, they don鈥檛 have to feel bad, we will supply them with new gear. When the kids aren鈥檛 using the camping equipment, it will be available to the public to rent.鈥�

For now, visitors can hike and peruse the museum as well as sample cookies and drinks at the gift shop coffee bar. On Wednesdays, its Hummingbird Cafe coffee shop serves hot food specials with seating inside and on its shaded patio in back. Other days food truck pop ups offer many kinds of foods in the parking lot across the road from where Pueblo families sell iconic stew and fry bread from booths near the Red Rocks.

鈥淭ake a hike on our Red Rocks Trails and explore the red sandstone canyon, unique to the entire Jemez Mountains,鈥� the Walatowa Visitor Center website says. 鈥淐ome and enjoy our sacred Jemez Pueblo lands that we have inhabited since the 13th century.鈥�

Guided tours cost $20 per person, while permits for a self-guided hike are $12 per person plus tax. Either permit includes a photo permit for the trail scenery only 鈥� the Pueblo does not allow photography of other areas, including its plaza and homes. Leashed dogs are allowed on the hike. Access to the museum and gift shop is free and you can find more information about the Jemez National Recreation Area, and pick up free maps and brochures, including forest service maps. The visitor center and museum are open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the summer. It also includes information about visiting the Pueblo for its two feast days, Aug. 2 and Nov. 12, or other events.

鈥淭he Walatowa History Museum takes you on a Hemish (Jemez) cultural journey,鈥� the museum website says. The museum is free but takes donations. 鈥淵ou will learn about our history and how our Towa culture and traditions continue to guide our people today.鈥�

Go for the Red Rocks Trails, the scenic view and the slot canyon, but stay for the history lesson and the insight into the Hemish told mostly from their perspective.

Call 505-494-1965 in advance to schedule an informative guided tour or to guarantee trail permits are available and to check hours. Tours and demonstrations to educate visitors about the lifestyle on the Jemez homeland can be booked through the Jemez Enterprises website, jemezenterprises.com.

Donn Friedman is a roving columnist for The Sunday Journal鈥檚 GO New Mexico section. He is the retired assistant managing editor for technology and production for the sa国际传媒官网网页入口.