Caja del Rio
Caja del Rio (Spanish: "box of the river") is a mesa separating Santa Fe from the Rio Grande. In turn, the Rio Grande separates Caja del Rio from the Pajarito Plateau. The caja originally was part of the Pajarito Plateau, formed by volcanic activity of the Valles Caldera. By means of headward erosion, the Rio Grande has cut through the plateau. Major types of vegetation on the caja are piñon juniper forest and short grass meadows. The caja was managed for many years by the Bureau of Land Management, which leased grazing rights. Consequently, the caja has a number of fence lines, water tanks for use by cattle, and decrepit trailhead corrals, and the grass meadows are severely damaged by overgrazing and there are large populations of cholla. Recently the caja has been the focus of a grass roots campaign to convert it to recreational uses. On the north rim is a popular local rock climbing area, Diablo Canyon.[1] The flat, sandy arroyo bottom of the canyon, although subject to spectacular flash floods during the summer monsoon season, is a scenic and very easy trail from a large undeveloped trailhead to the Rio Grande just north of White Rock Canyon.[2]
Wild horses
The United States Forest Service has designated Caja del Rio a Wild Horse Territory,[3]
See also
External links
References
- ^ LosAlamos.com: Diablo Canyon, accessed 2008.06.17
- ^ Smith, Una (2008) New Mexico Horse Trails The Horsemen's Voice April 2008, page 12
- ^ fs.fed.us: Caja del Rio Wild Horse Territory, accessed 2008.06.17