Plaza Blanca - Abiquiu, NM

Plaza Blanca is "White Place" in Spanish. Located in Northern New Mexico, it is equal parts intriguing, mysterious, and amazing. The majority of the rock that make up the walls and sometimes weird formations is white sandstone. Sprinkled in are red, black, and white rocks along with a scattering of desert plants and animals.

Main Canyon

From the parking lot, it was a short walk down to the canyon floor with the oddly shaped walls rising on either side. In order to protect and preserve the fragile environment, I walked only in the dry creek beds and previously established trails.

Approaching Plaza Blanca

Entrance to Plaza Blanca
(red swath in the middle is the dry creek bed)

Canyon Wall Seemingly Made of Joined Spires

Opposite Wall Reminded Me of Ancient Greece

Far End of Plaza Blanca

View from Far End

Red-Capped Formations

As the name implies, shades of white (and gray) were everywhere I looked. However, other colors provided an accent to the landscape. In one area, the top layer of rock had a reddish tint to it.

House on Top of Cliff with Twin Pillars in Front

Platforms with Skulls on Top

Closer View of the Red Strata

Gothic Formations

In another section of the canyon, the walls were reminiscent of Gothic architecture. Or they looked like melted wax. You decide.

Melting Wall

Spire with Gothic Features

Thin Slice Juts Out

Islands

Natural forces, especially wind, have a greater impact outside the canyon. With the increased erosion, sections of the canyon walls are eventually destroyed thereby creating separate rock formations.

Lone Sentinels

Castle

Closer View of Black and Gray Tops

Slot Canyon

While the main section of Plaza Blanca was long and wide between its walls, a branch off of it was very different. Although it also had the high towering walls, it had a miniature slot canyon within them. It appears the creek that runs through it is just getting started, geologically speaking, at carving its path through the rock.

Approach to the Slot Canyon

Narrow Passage

Dead End

Plants & Animals

The spectacular rock formations are obviously the main attraction for those coming to Plaza Blanca. With that said, I did come across a few desert plants and animals.