Cieneguilla Petroglyphs Long Loop Hike
In Santa Fe Region
Map File Source: Garmin BaseCamp
Hike Key: H10570Last Updated: 06/29/2021 12:00am
Last Updated By: Marilyn Fixer
Hike Class: B (Moderate)
Hike Distance: 2.6 mi
Minimum Elevation: 6145 ft
Elevation Change: 120 ft
Total Uphill: 150 ft
Total Downhill: 150 ft
Avg. Grade: 5 %
Route Type: Messy
On Trail: No
Paved or Gravel Roads: Yes
GPS Advised: Yes
Drive Distance Round Trip: 100 mi
Drive Time One-Way: 1:00
Hiking Seasons: Spring, Summer, and Fall
New Mexico Game Unit: 6C
Hike Status: Published
Highlights
Outstanding extensive collection of petroglyphs.
CautionsHiking poles may be useful
Trailhead Directions
From Albuquerque go north on I-25 to the La Cienega Exit 271, which is the first exit after the rest area. Go west on CR 54 then north on CR 56 through the town of La Cienega. After passing through the town the road turns back west to a sharp turn back north. At this point there will be a low ridge on your left. Continue to a small parking lot on the left marked Cieneguilla Petroglyphs PARKGLYPHS.
Actual Hike
Go west from PARKGLYPHS (0.0 mi) toward a fence and bear right. Go THROUGH1 (0.1 mi) the fence and turn right and follow the trail NW and up to the CAVE (0.2 mi). After exploring the cave continue up to the top of the mesa. This part is steep and sometimes footing is loose. Hike south to the OVERLOOK (0.3 mi) and enjoy the view of a rocky shallow canyon. Look for petroglyphs on opposite walls as you walk around top end of the canyon. On your way out at the end of the hike there is an option to walk into and back out of the canyon before returning to the parking lot.
Hike south along the canyon wall and intersect with the trail coming up from the parking lot. Continue south and up to the top of the mesa to intersection TEE (0.6 mi). Turn right and go to the FENCE CORNER (0.8 mi) and turn left. Follow the fence then bear SOUTH EAST (1.1 mi) and go to the edge of the mesa at DOWN 1 (1.3 mi). Drop down to an area of interesting petroglyph panels that was not on previous hikes. Enjoy and return to the top.
Hike back along top to DOWN 2 (1.5 mi) and again descend to the path part way down from the top of the mesa. You will hike this path north viewing petroglyphs until PANEL (1.8 mi). Footing is rocky and you need to pay attention as you walk. Do not try to walk and look at petroglyphs at the same time. Stop frequently and enjoy. Leave PANEL by back tracking to UP (1.7 mi) and hike up to the mesa top. Hike north to TEE and retrace your route to the opening of the small canyon. At TO PARKGLYPHS (0.5 mi), turn right and follow the trail down to the point TO CANYON (2.3 mi) and visit the canyon (optional and path not shown on the map). Continue back to parking PARKGLYPHS (2.6 mi).
Waypoints
PARK-GLYPHS: N35 36.535, W106 07.193
THROUGH1: N35 36.557, W106 07.308
CAVE: N35 36.575, W106 07.341
OVERLOOK: N35 36.518, W106 07.434
TO PARKGLYPHS: N35 36.436, W106 07.517
TEE: N35 36.343, W106 07.566
FENCE CORNER: N35 36.354, W106 07.776
SOUTH EAST: N35 36.161, W106 07.773
DOWN 1: N35 36.045, W106 07.596
DOWN 2: N35 36.126, W106 07.529
UP: N35 36.264, W106 07.439
PANEL: N35 36.312, W106 07.419
TO CANYON: N35 36.434, W106 07.436
Hike GPS File Name: CieneguillaPetroglyphsLongLoopWayTrack_SPSP.GPX
Hike GPS File: Click link to download hike waytrack file
Text Author: Dick Brown
Map Author: Dawn McIntyre
Waypoints Author: Sue Pelletier
Track Author: Sue Pelletier
Maintainer: Dawn McIntyre
Editor: Howard Carr
