April

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument with Dr Kirt Kempter
Saturday, April 7, 2007

The many layers of geologic history unfold as we spend a fascinating day hiking among the sacred landscape and spectacular formations of the new Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. You will experience scenic vistas and learn about Apache tears as we hike. Kirt’s classroom is a mesa top with 360-degree views. This is one of America’s recent national monuments and is an important area sacred to Keres and other Pueblo peoples. The trail is well marked and follows along a small arroyo and enters an elegantly carved slot canyon, then climbing to a scenic overview of the spectacular Rio Grande valley where we will enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch. Learn the fascinating geologic story of how these dramatic columns have eroded as you appreciate the power of Mother Nature’s forces: wind, water, and time. 3-mile roundtrip hike, 400 feet elevation gain Includes: Study leader honorarium, transportation and a lovely picnic lunch included. $85 pp

Hike the Hidden Passage into Abiquiu’s Copper Canyon with Dr. Kirt Kempter
Sunday, April 22, 2007 (9 am-5 pm)
This one-day hiking adventure will explore the geologic story of the Abiquiu area, including rock formations and vistas that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe. A 3-mile round trip hike will take us through a small canyon that exposes brilliantly colored rock layers at the boundary between the Rio Grande Rift and the Colorado Plateau. We then ascend 400 feet to an overlook of Copper Canyon, a broad, majestic canyon well off the tourist trail. Wonderful opportunities for photography. Field discussions will focus on the shape of the landscape in this region of northern New Mexico, as persistent geologic and erosional forces have sculpted the land over geologic time. Includes: Transportation, honorarium for study leaders and a nice picnic lunch. $85 pp

May

Ancestral Pueblo World: Chaco Canyon with Wolky Toll and Alan Osborne
With Deputy Director of the OAS and Chaco scholar, Wolky Toll and cultural historian Alan Osborne, we’ll leave Santa Fe early in the morning and drive along a scenic route through lands of the Santa Ana and Zia Pueblos and the Jicarilla Apache Reservation on our way to Chaco Culture National Historic Park. We’ll first arrive at the Chaco Visitor’s Center on the north side of the canyon, which features exhibits and interpretations of recent archaeological research as well as historic excavations, and artifacts revealing ancient life at Chaco. Following lunch we will take the short hike to the nearby-unexcavated Una Vida site, as well as an optional scramble up to the petroglyphs overlooking Una Vida. Heading down the Chaco Wash, we’ll pass another largely unexcavated great house site, Hungo Pavi, and Chetro Ketl, as we head to Pueblo Bonito, where we will discuss these magnificent great house communities and the important issues that went on through time and space. A short walk down the canyon will lead us to Kin Kletso, an important part of the developmental history of the area. We’ll visit smaller habitation sites, small farming settlements surrounding Casa Rinconada, Chaco’s massive great kiva. Our last stop will be to see an ancient staircase, hand hewn into the rocky cliff, which connects to the Great South Road. Whether you have been to Chaco Canyon before or not, this is a stunning place full of mystery, and one never tires of the experience of being here amid one of the greatest centers of the ancient Pueblo world. There will be places to discuss throughout the journey on the bus, as the Chaco story extends in all directions, including as far as Santa Fe, Leaving in the late afternoon, we’ll enjoy our picnic dinner on board our coach as we journey homeward for a late evening return to Santa Fe. Moderate walking involved, plenty of options available for folks with mobility issues. Includes transportation on a motor coach, picnic lunch and dinner, all admissions, honorarium for Study Leaders and $10 pp donation to the Office of Archaeological Studies. $165 pp

Eastern Pueblo World with Dr. Joe Suina (Cochiti Pueblo) and Dr. John Ware
May 20-May 26, 2007
This six day tour of the Rio Grande Pueblos will include visits to Taos, Picuris, San Ildefonso, Pojoaque, Cochiti, and Zia Pueblos, as well as tours of important and seldom visited Eastern Pueblo archaeological sites, including Tsankawi, Hanat Kotyiti, Guisewa, Kuaua, Pecos, and the world famous rock art panels of the Galisteo Basin. This year’s tour will be based at the Hotel Santa Fe with day trips to important historical and cultural sites in the northern Rio Grande Valley.

Two experts in Pueblo archaeology, history, and culture will lead the tour. Dr. Joseph Suina is professor emeritus of education at the University of New Mexico and former governor of Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. An author, educator, and Pueblo leader, Dr. Suina will provide an inside perspective on Rio Grande Pueblo history and culture. Dr. John Ware, executive director of the Amerind Foundation, has conducted archaeological and ethno-historical research in the Four Corners for over 35 years. He is currently writing a book on Pueblo social history. They will be joined by additional Pueblo scholars and cultural ambassadors along the way, including Dr. Rina Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), Roxanne Swentzell (Santa Clara Pueblo), Dora Tse Pe (San Ildefonso Pueblo), Peter Pino (Zia Pueblo) and Chief Judge Verna Teller (Isleta Pueblo) among others. Includes five lunches, three dinners, honorarium for study leaders and presenters, all admissions, transportation in motor coach or van as appropriate, and a $350 tax deduction to the Amerind Foundation and Southwest Seminars. $1,000 commuter rate for Santa Fe residents or $1600 with six nights lodging and all breakfasts at Hotel Santa Fe.

June

Valles Caldera North Rim Drive With Dr. Kirt Kempter
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Departing Santa Fe, we will travel to Española, then turn west onto Forest Road 144 (also known as 39-mile road), winding our way up into the northern Jemez Mountains. As we ascend the backside of Chicoma Peak there will be spectacular views of the Rio Grande Rift, Pajarito Plateau, and other geologic features of the northern Jemez Mountains. The road also cuts through the core of an old volcano, active 10 million years ago. Our destination will be a picnic lunch stop on the north rim of the Valles Caldera, providing a spectacular view of the northern portion of the caldera. A lecture at this stop will provide a geologic history of the caldera since the massive eruption occurred 1.2 million years ago, a dynamic story including multiple lakes and volcanic eruptions within the caldera since its collapse. Other geologic highlights include overviews of Cerro Pedernal, the Rio Grande Rift, and the Chama River valley. No hiking involved. Includes: Transportation, honorarium for study leaders and a nice picnic lunch. $85 pp

September

Las Cruces de la Mesa: Genizaro-Hispano Rock with Dr. Richard I. Ford
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Join Dr. Richard I. Ford, noted University of Michigan ethonobotanist and archaeologist, for a special opportunity to see three separate mesa locations of major petroglyphs/rock art of the Genizaro peoples on the northern Rio Grande Valley between Oke Oweenge Pueblo (formerly known as San Juan Pueblo) and Velarde. Dr. Richard I. Ford wasrecently honored in an important recent book published by University of Michigan Press: Engaged Anthropology: Research Essays on North American Archaeology, Ethnobotany, and Museology. Papers in Honor of Richard I. Ford (2005). Gain an archeological appreciation for their dual lives in Spanish Colonial New Mexico, and learn about their sheepherding tradition in New Mexico and about folk Catholicism as it is expressed in these examples of Genizaro rock art. The majority of these images have been recorded only in the past three years and have never been published. Learn about the peoples who made these images, their method of production and discuss possible interpretations. Expect challenging hiking conditions in varied terrain at the three separate locations. Lunch and transportation included, as well as Study Leader services. $85 per person.