Albuquerque
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WANDERING NEW MEXICO

Exploring the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area

 

At Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, hikers can find layers of shale, mudstone and sandstone that were deposited around 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous geologic era that have eroded into the most amazing array of shapes.
Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah is an official Bureau of Land Management wilderness area whose name translates to gray salt from Navajo.
The landscape of the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is dotted with mushroom-shaped formations and petrified palm wood.
The landscape of the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is dotted with mushroom-shaped formations and petrified palm wood.
There are no formal trails at the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness.
At Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, hikers can find layers of shale, mudstone and sandstone that were deposited around 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous geologic era that have eroded into the most amazing array of shapes.
The landscape of the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness is dotted with mushroom-shaped formations and petrified palm wood.
There are no formal trails at the Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness.
At Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness, hikers can find layers of shale, mudstone and sandstone that were deposited around 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous geologic era that have eroded into the most amazing array of shapes.
David Ryan David Ryan David Ryan For the Journal
Published

Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah (gray salt in Navajo) is an official Bureau of Land Management wilderness area that has incredible land formations that will knock your socks off. 

It’s a little beyond the turnoff for Chaco Canyon National Historical Park on U.S. Highway 550, and you’ll find a trip to Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah is like visiting another planet. It’s that spectacular.

Once there, you’ll find layers of shale, mudstone and sandstone, which were deposited around 75 million years ago during the Cretaceous geologic era, that have eroded into the most amazing array of shapes. You’ll find mushroom-shaped formations that seem to go on forever, mudstone formations without a hint of vegetation, and petrified palm wood seeming to pour out of the slope. You may even expect to see strange creatures from outer space emerge from the clay walls (but you won’t).

Without water or shade, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah is best visited during cooler weather. The easiest way to explore Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah is to begin at the BLM parking area on the west side of unpaved New Mexico 57. From the parking area, walk out on a now-closed jeep road through sagebrush grassland. In 0.65 miles, the sagebrush layer ends and you’ll be staring into a whole new world. Prepare to be wowed.

If you go

Hike information has been adapted from “Wandering in the Clear Light of New Mexico” by David Ryan. The book is available at local stores where books are sold. Ryan will talk about “Exploring New Mexico’s Special Places” at REI Albuquerque, 1550 Mercantile Ave NE, at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, March 5, and at the Lomas Tramway Library, 908 Eastridge Drive NE, at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 14.

Because there are no formal trails, just start wandering. There is no wrong way to explore Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah. The numerous drainages allow you to navigate in all directions. If you climb above the drainages, be careful of the fragile soil and pay attention to where you go. Using a handheld GPS to mark where you parked and entered the formations can help you get back to your starting point. Since this is an official wilderness area, gathering petrified wood or any other item is strictly prohibited. Leave everything you see for the next person to enjoy.

Getting there

From Albuquerque: Driving north on U.S. Highway 550, turn left (west) on San Juan County Road 7800, between mile markers 115 and 116 near the Nageezi chapter house and proceed until it ends at New Mexico 57 (12.4 miles). The first four miles of CR 7800 are paved. The remainder is a very good unpaved road. Turn left (south) on NM 57 and proceed to the BLM parking area (15.5 miles from U.S. 550). NM 57 is unpaved and sandier than CR 7800. Do not attempt this route during inclement weather.

ah-shi-sle-pah wilderness area bureau of land management u.s. highway 550 chaco canyon national historical park david ryan go_new_mexico wandering new mexico wandering in the clear light of new mexico new mexico lifestyles
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