To reach the base of Shiprock for a self-guided tour and up-close view turn west off Hwy. 491 onto Red Valley Road / Route 5, south of the formation. Route 5 actually passes through the south dike and offers stunning views and connects with multiple dirt roads that will lead you to the base of Shiprock peak.
Full Answer
How do I get to Shiprock Peak?
To reach the base of Shiprock for a self-guided tour and up-close view turn west off Hwy. 491 onto Red Valley Road / Route 5, south of the formation. Route 5 actually passes through the south dike and offers stunning views and connects with multiple dirt roads that will lead you to the base of Shiprock peak.
Where is the best place to view Mount Shiprock?
Best viewing is west of Farmington along Hwy. 64 or south of Shiprock on Hwy. 491. To reach the base of Shiprock for a self-guided tour and up-close view turn west off Hwy. 491 onto Red Valley Road / Route 5, south of the formation.
Where is the sacred landmark of Shiprock?
This sacred landmark is located south of the community of Shiprock on Hwy. 491. Best viewing is west of Farmington along Hwy. 64 or south of Shiprock on Hwy. 491. To reach the base of Shiprock for a self-guided tour and up-close view turn west off Hwy. 491 onto Red Valley Road / Route 5, south of the formation.
How to get to Ship Rock National Monument?
A break in the fence on the east side of the dike allows access to the ranchland east of the dike. A dirt road follows the dike. This is BIA-5010. Follow it to Ship Rock (some deep ruts). There is a maze of spur roads round the monument but the terrain is generally open (might be ugly if it's raining) so routefinding is a no-brainer.
How do I access Shiprock?
To reach the base of Shiprock for a self-guided tour and up-close view turn west off Hwy. 491 onto Red Valley Road / Route 5, south of the formation. Route 5 actually passes through the south dike and offers stunning views and connects with multiple dirt roads that will lead you to the base of Shiprock peak.
Can you drive close to Shiprock?
As this rock formation is sacred to the Navajos – hiking and/or climbing on the sacred peak or its surrounding rocks is forbidden. Also driving onto the dirt road leading to the formation is prohibited – please view and photograph the pinnacle from the paved roadway (Indian Service Route 13 or from US Highway 491).
Is Shiprock worth visiting?
Shiprock is sacred to several tribes, and it is a marvel to see - it rises out of the desert floor and is visible for all directions.
Can you visit Shiprock in NM?
Visiting Shiprock in New Mexico is not easy. However, Shiprock Peak is visible 30 to 50 miles from the peak, in almost every direction. But best viewing is west of Farmington along Hwy. 64 or south of Shiprock on Hwy.
Is Shiprock open to the public?
You need to go south on 491 from the town of Shiprock. At about mile marker 85 turn west on Route 13. It is NOT labeled. The areas around the formation are closed to the public, the formation is on private property, which is sacred to the Navajo.
Why is Shiprock sacred?
For centuries, the towering “rock with wings” has been sacred to the Navajo people, who call it Tse Bit' a'i. One legend tells of monster, flesh-eating birds who lived on the peak of Shiprock. One day, a warrior killed two of the bird monsters, then turned one baby bird monster into an eagle and another into an owl.
Can you climb Shiprock?
Climbing is ILLEGAL on the Navajo Nation including Ship Rock. According to the most recently published guide on Ship Rock ("Desert Rock", and "50 Classics.."), Ship Rock was placed off limits to climbing in 1967, but the ban was not enforced until 1970, following an accident. It is probably legal to drive to the base.
Is Shiprock in Arizona or New Mexico?
About Shiprock, NM Shiprock is the largest Navajo community on the Navajo Nation and is located in the Northwest section of New Mexico commonly referred to as the Four Corners region of America; where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet.
Why is it called Shiprock?
Due to the peak's resemblance to 19th-century clipper ships it was called Shiprock, Shiprock Peak, and Ship Rock. The rock formation has been called Ship Rock since at least the 1870s, based on its appearance on a map from that time. The town nearest to the rock mountain is also named Shiprock.
What reservation is Shiprock on?
the Navajo reservationShiprock (Navajo: Naatʼáanii Nééz) is a census-designated place (CDP) on the Navajo reservation in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 7,718 people in the 2020 census.
Who owns Shiprock?
Jed FoutzJed Foutz is a fifth generation trading post owner who has been running Shiprock Trading Co. for a quarter century. Since buying the company from his father Edwin back in '92, he has continued the tradition of doing business with the Navajo — trading rugs for cash, groceries, materials and other items.
What is the story behind Shiprock?
Shiprock, or the Winged Rock, is located on Navajo Nation lands, and the peak is part of many legends and stories. According to one story, the peak was once the nesting place of a giant bird of prey—the last of 16 monsters that the Hero Twin gods had to slay before human beings could come to live in the present world.
What is there to do in Shiprock New Mexico?
Essential ShiprockShiprock Rock Formation. 172. ... Riverview Golf Course. Golf Courses.Ute Mountain Tribal Park. Ancient Ruins, Reservations.Four Corners Monument. 2,059. ... Farmington Lake. Bodies of Water.Chokecherry Canyon. Off-Road & ATV Trails.E3 Children's Museum & Science Center. ... Three Rivers Brewery.More items...
What does Shiprock look like?
Shiprock (Navajo: Tsé Bitʼaʼí, "rock with wings" or "winged rock") is a monadnock rising nearly 1,583 feet (482.5 m) above the high-desert plain of the Navajo Nation in San Juan County, New Mexico, United States....ShiprockAge of rock27 million yearsMountain typeVolcanic breccia and minetteClimbing17 more rows
What is Shiprock NM?
The Ship Rock landform Ship Rock, known as Tse Bitai, or "the winged rock" in Navajo, is a volcanic neck, or the central feeder pipe of larger volcanic landform which has since eroded away. The neck is composed of fractured volcanic rock, or breccia, crosscut by many thin veins of lava.
Where are the chuska mountains?
The Chuska Mountains are an elongate range on the southwest Colorado Plateau and within the Navajo Nation whose highest elevations approach 10,000 feet. The range is about 80 by 15 km (50 by 10 miles). It trends north-northwest and is crossed by the state line between Arizona and New Mexico.
Where to see Shiprock Pinnacle?
This sacred landmark is located south of the community of Shiprock on Hwy. 491. Best viewing is west of Farmington along Hwy. 64 or south of Shiprock on Hwy. 491. To reach the base of Shiprock for a self-guided tour and up-close view turn west off Hwy. 491 onto Red Valley Road / Route 5, south of the formation. Route 5 actually passes through the south dike and offers stunning views and connects with multiple dirt roads that will lead you to the base of Shiprock peak. Keep in mind that these roads intersect private property. Be respectful of the people and land you encounter and watch for cattle and horses.
Where does Route 5 go on Shiprock?
Route 5 actually passes through the south dike and offers stunning views and connects with multiple dirt roads that will lead you to the base of Shiprock peak. Keep in mind that these roads intersect private property. Be respectful of the people and land you encounter and watch for cattle and horses.
How far away can you see Ship Rock?
We were unable to drive up to the formation but were able to get within 1/4 mile from it. Be careful not to drive through open gates near the formation as these are private property.
How high is Shiprock?
Rising up from the flat, dusty, New Mexico desert, it's hard to miss the imposing and mysterious Shiprock. At over 7,000 feet above sea level, it's no wonder that the strange formation (actually the remains of a 27-million-year-old volcano) attracted the wonder and curiosity of humans for centuries. The rock was sacred to the Navajo people, who ...
Why is it forbidden to climb the Shiprock?
One day, when the men were off the rock, lightning struck it, leaving them no way to get back to the top, or for the women and children to come down for food and water-- and one of the reasons that it's forbidden to climb the Shiprock is that the Navajo fear that the ghosts of those stranded will be disturbed.
When was the first shiprock climbed?
Since the early 20th century, people have been intrigued by the idea of climbing the Shiprock-- the first ascent occurred in 1939 . It's a confuddling and technically difficult climb, with various routes recorded, each more challenging than the last.
What is the shiprock in the Navajo?
Navajo legend also places the rock in the context of the entire landscape. Shiprock is said to be the medicine bag or bow carried by a giant, mythical, man-like being, whose body is made up of various mountain ranges and peaks. There's also another legend that says that flesh-eating Bird Monsters lived atop the Shiprock.
Where to photograph Shiprock?
The Navajo Nation prefers visitors to view and photograph Shiprock from the paved roadways. In terms of photography, sunrise is optimal, particularly from the south side of the formation.
How high is Shiprock?
Shiprock is an iconic stone sentinel, rising 1583 feet above the stark plains of northwestern New Mexico. The National Park Service designated Shiprock as a National Natural Landmark in 1975. Visible from 50 miles away on a clear day, Shiprock is the throat of an ancient volcano, with a peak 7,178-feet above sea level.
How many dikes are there in Shiprock?
In total, there are seven minette dikes, all of them created as the eruption occurred. Like the throat of the volcano, the dikes formed deep beneath the surface, exposed over time due to erosion. The three main dikes radiate west, northeast, and southeast from the main formation like long tails. The most impressive one is 5 miles long, rising to 150 feet, though only a few feet wide at the top. BIA-13 cuts through the southern end, with a great spot to pull over and take photos. Based on the divergence pattern of the dikes, Geologists believe they merge, with the root zone deeply buried. Eventually erosion will expose that as well.
How long does it take to get to the Four Corners Monument?
Give yourself about an hour if you are timing the trip for photography and lighting. From the Four Corners Monument: Takes about 50 minutes. Take US 160 south to the intersection with US 64 in Arizona. Head east into New Mexico and you will see Shiprock south of the interstate.
What are the features of Shiprock?
Though Shiprock is the most striking rock formation, there are a variety of interesting volcanic features scattered between Gallup, Window Rock, and Farmington, like small intrusions, dikes, and extrusive igneous rock.
Is shiprock a monadnock?
Additionally, Shiprock is a monadnock, an isolated outcropping of bedrock that rises dramatically from a virtual ly flat landscape. Monadnocks are erosional remnants, where a mass of stone deposits is harder and more resistant to erosion than the surrounding rock, like igneous rock surrounded by sandstone, mudstone or shale.
Is it illegal to climb Shiprock?
Today, it is illegal to climb the magnificent volcanic monolith; however, that wasn’t always the case. Throughout the early 20th century, people were intrigued by the idea of peak bagging Shiprock. It is a technically difficult climb, with each route becoming more challenging than the last.
What is the road surrounding Shiprock?
The road surrounding Shiprock. There are many legends surrounding Shiprock Peak in the Navajo culture, but the most consistent is how Shiprock brought the Navajo south from their previous location to the Four Corners region.
How high is Shiprock?
Shiprock is a monadnock that towers 1,583 feet over the surrounding desert plain, and 7,177 feet above sea level.
Where is Shiprock Peak?
One sensational, partially obstructed view of Shiprock Peak is from the Sinclair Gas Station in Beclabito as it sits nestled between two nearby hills.
Why is rock with wings cursed?
For the Navajo, this came to a head when a climber got injured in 1970, which led to the fear someone might die if rock climbing continued; thus making “Rock with Wings” cursed.
Can you see Shiprock from miles away?
Visiting Shiprock, NM isn’t easy, but you can see it from miles away . Find out the GPS Coordinates of the best spots to take photos of this amazing rock formation.
Where is Ship Rock in the Navajo?
Certainly it has the appearance of a bird with partially folded wings when viewed from the southwest. Ship Rock [two words, unlike the nearby town] is a famous landmark in far northwestern New Mexico.
How far is the BIA-13 from Shiprock?
There are three approaches to BIA-13. Approach 1: From the city of Shiprock. From the intersection of US-64 and US-491 (formerly US-666 but finally changed for obvious reasons in June 2002), drive south for 6 miles to Shiprock Airstrip.
How far is the dike from US-491?
You will begin to see the dike running perpendicular to your direction of travel about 5 miles away. Continue west on BIA-13 for 7.5 miles from US-491.
What direction is the rift in the desert?
The rift is plainly visible as a knife-edged eroded dike slicing through the desert in a north-south direction. The dike neatly separates two ranchlands like a huge wall. There is nothing remaining of the former vent but the exfoliated plug and dike and a few other volcanic outcrops in the region.
Is it hot to climb Ship Rock?
When To Climb. This is desert country. Though Ship Rock and the immediate surrounding countryside is over 5,000 feet above sea level, it still gets hot in the summer. Thus, summer climbs should be avoided unless you desire to be fried into human bacon. On the other hand, it can be quite cold in winter.
Can you camp at Ship Rock?
Camping. The climb can be done in a day, so hauling camping gear is not necessary unless you're extremely slow. There aren't many flat spots on the monument anyway, so you would need a porta-ledge. You could car-camp at the foot of Ship Rock, but don't say I told you you could do it.
Where is Ship Rock?
Green is a lifelong climber from Colorado who has written more than 20 books about hiking and rock climbing. Ship Rock is a dramatic 7,177-foot-high (2,188-meter) rock mountain located in northwestern New Mexico about 20 miles southwest of the town of Shiprock.
Where is Ship Rock in New Mexico?
Ship Rock is a dramatic 7,177-foot-high (2,188-meter) rock mountain located in northwestern New Mexico about 20 miles southwest of the town of Shiprock. The formation, a volcanic plug, rises 1,600 feet above a barren desert plain south of the San Juan River. Ship Rock is on Navajo Nation land, a self-governing territory ...
Why is the shiprock called the needle?
The formation was originally called The Needles by explorer Captain J. F. McComb in 1986 for its uppermost pointed pinnacle. The name, however, didn't stick since it was also called Shiprock, Shiprock Peak, and Ship Rock, which is its name on a map from the 1870s, because of its resemblance to 19th-century clipper ships. The town nearest to the rock mountain is named Shiprock.
How did ship rock form?
The dikes formed when magma filled in cracks during volcanic eruptions and then cooled, forming the long distinctive rock walls. Like Ship Rock, they gained prominence when the surrounding bedrock was stripped away by erosion. Three main dikes radiate out from the main formation to the west, northeast, and southeast.
How far below Earth's surface was Ship Rock deposited?
Ship Rock's volcanic plug as seen today was deposited between 2,000 and 3,000 feet below the earth's surface.
When was the first free ascent of Ship Rock?
First Free Ascent of Ship Rock. 1959: The first free ascent of Ship Rock was on May 29, 1959, by Pete Rogowski and Tom McCalla during the 47th ascent. The pair free-climbed Ormes' Rib, which had been aided (5.9 A4) by Harvey T. Carter and George Lamb in 1957. The Rib is now rated 5.10.
Who was the first person to climb Ship Rock?
In October 1939, a crack California team composed of David Brower, John Dyer, Raffi Beayan, and Bestor Robinson drove from Berkeley, California to Ship Rock with the intention of becoming the first to climb the formation.
