Jemez Springs Things to Do Tips by kymbanm

What should one do while visiting Soda Dam? Well, you can crawl over the rock formations, shimmey into the hotspring cavern contained within, snap a few photos, or take a dip in the river along side .... yup, there are a few fun choices!

This natural formation was created over centuries from calcium deposits brought upwards from an underground hot spring ... no, this isn't erosion .... this a a large deposit of calcium carbonate left behind by the spring itself.

You will notice an unusual odor .... it's sufur. All the the springs in the Jemez originate from deep in the earth under the Valles Caldura and they all have this odor to some degree. The odor isn't from the water itself though ...... sulfur is a waste product of the natural microbes in the water ... the frequency of new water entering the spring, and the dilution from other water sources, will determine the level of sulfur odor in each spring. Here at Soda Dam, it's noticeable, but not bad at all :)

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Directions: And how do you find this natural wonder? Well, just head north out of Jemez Springs .... less than 5 miles up the road, on the right, you'll see the pull off as well as the dam. Yup, it's right alongside the highway :)

Battleship Rock is a sheer cliff that rises above the river like the prow of a ship dotted with back and shiney obsidian ... but despite it's natural beauty, this formation is best known as the parking lot for Mc Cauley Hot Springs, one of the more accessible and scenic sites for a soak in hot mineral waters. The water tends to be about 99F, and clothing IS OPTIONAL :) You walk up the trail about a mile or 2 up from the firepit gazebo of the picnic area to find these special springs. The walk is steep and crosses part of the original lava flow from the nearby caldera. Though an out of shape broad like myself needed to stop pretty frequently, it was so worthy. Give yourself about 1.5 hours (2+ if I"m in your party) to get there ... it'll take next to no time to get back as gravity becomes your friend on the return journey.

Since they are well known, these springs can be crowded, but there are choices for your soak as there are a couple of large pools located in this high mountain meadow. Beware of the little teeny fishies (I call them minnows) as they like to nibble upon your toes and other bits ... just to see if you're edible.

When you reach my favorite rock formation (aka: My Happy Place / Pleasure Rock / Altar / Picnic Table), you'll know you are about 500 yards from the springs.

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Directions: Between Bandelier and Jemez Springs on State Route 4 - look for Battleship rock and the picnic area :)

If you are coming from the Albuquerque area, you will naturally drive through the portion of this drive known as the Jemez corridor.

Driving along this trail is a journey through time. A leisurely day trip takes you past amazing geological formations, ancient Indian ruins, the Jemez Pueblo and the remainders of the area's logging, mining and ranching heritage. Much of the region is now a National Recreation Area, and there are many opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping and cross country skiing. The Jemez Mountains are famous for their natural hot springs.

In addition to stopping along the riverbank picnic and fishing areas, I simply love to look at the rock formations ....... the colors of these formations remind me of fall leaves .....

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Directions: North of SR 4 from Hwy 550 .....

Caldera in Spanish means "kettle" or "cauldron"; in geology, this term has come to be known as a volcanic collapse crater. Large calderas are formed from massive eruptions ...... the ejected magma leaves a void in the earth and the ejected cinder and rock falls back into the newly formed hole forming a caldera.

The Valles Caldera is about 14 miles in diameter, and is one of the best studied calderas in North America. As you pass by, you see a beautiful meadow and rolling hills that are very different from the surrounding topography. This region is also a nature preserve which hosts public events throughout the year - for a fee of course.

I haven't been into the preserve, I have only skirted the edges .... I'm not organized enough to make a reservation, or check the website for events. So I hope the attached website will help you enjoy more fully this beautiful area .......

Psst - BTW, all of the hot springs in the region have origins under this valley ....

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Directions: On SR 4 between Bandelier and Jemez Springs ...
Website: http://www.vallescaldera.gov/

This little gem is a piece of natural, as well as man made history. Bandelier has been a national park since 1916, and is a wonderful place to spend a few hours, or even a full day. I have driven by here countless times, but this time, coming into the park, and walking the trails was my goal .........

Though the rangers, and the online guide state the first part of the Frijoles Canyon trail is wheelchair accessible ... they lied! I have muscles in pain that I didn't even know existed!

Other than the shortened walk, it was a wonderful day ... next time I'm ditching Dad and crawling up into the dwellings!

Entrance Fee: $10.00 per car for a seven day permit.

Camping Fee: $10.00 per site/per night.

For additional information concerning reservations, special use or filming permits, call 505-672-3861, ext. 502.

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Directions: SR 4 north from San Ysidro through the Jemez Corridor, past Jemez Springs and even past Valles Calera .... just follow the signs ...
Website: http://www.nps.gov/band/pphtml/planyourvisit.html