Ghost Ranch, NM

Ghost Ranch is an area of red rock formations in northern New Mexico made famous by Georgia O’Keefe. I had been wanting to visit the area since I got a glimpse of it about five years ago in a short visit. This time around, I hiked the Kitchen Mesa trail which features some tough hiking including a 15 foot scramble up a boulder fall. The reward at the end of the 2.5 mile trail is worth it as you get panoramic views of the area and get out on the alkaline flats on Kitchen Mesa. This is an area of finely crushed rock and sand that looks as smooth as a kitchen counter, hence the name.

I love all the many photo opportunities at Ghost Ranch. There are old wagons, gnarled dead trees, and beautiful red rock formations to photograph. I walked the trail opposite the ropes course to catch a glimpse of the sunset. What a gorgeous view! The weather was clear with a sunny day in the high 50s. Perfect hiking weather.

The Kitchen Mesa trail follows the main road past the buildings and Arts Center to the trailhead. It is about a quarter mile hike form the visitor center to the trailhead. The trailhead then climbs past an old Celophysis Quarry where several skeletons were excavated in the 1980s. It comes to a small ridge with a good view and then levels out until it hits the main climb up the rock face in about another 1/2 mile. The trail then ascends steeply up the side of the rock with several sections of loose dirt and rock to cross. Then comes the fun. After ascending about 3/4 of the rock face, you have to shimmy up a very narrow section through a rock fall. Leave the large pack behind and squeeze through. It is fun (scary) coming back down. The trail then tracks about another 1/2 mile along the high ridge before reaching the top. The trail continues along to the top of Kitchen Mesa.