Singing Rock Traditional Cache
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12 mile bumpy dirt road drive, short sandy hike, some easy rock climbing. Desert, take water in summer
The Singing Rock Cache is in a slot canyon in Arroyo de Tajo. It can be approached from the west with about a half mile hike, or from the east with about a 2 mile hike, both easy arroyo walks. There is a slight rock climb (about 6 feet high total) on the western approach. There is an old ruined cabin and a spring (sometimes) on the east route. It’s a lovely fall or spring hike, pretty hot in mid-summer. Take water.
The Quebradas Backcountry Byway is a lovely high desert drive east of Socorro. It is a bit washboardy, and there are several arroyos to cross, so in thunderstorm season a high clearance vehicle is a necessity. In late October, Magpie and Mike made it in their Taurus. Drive (entering the north end of Quebradas road): Take the Escondida exit off I-25, go east 0.2 mi, then back north 1.3 mi to Escondida Lake Road. Turn east across the Rio Grande, then follow the paved road as it curves back south—the pavement ends shortly after the curve. The actual Byway starts at N34 06.646 W 106 52.301, going east about 5 miles, then south another 7 or so. There are several arroyos that lead to the cache from the east. For the one that goes by the ruined cabin (N34 2.881, W106 47.513), park at N34 2.933, W106 46.513. For another east approach, park at N34 02.183 W106 46.798. Both east approaches require a few fence crossings and traverse of private land, but there are no "no trespassing" signs.
For the west approach, continue south to the only major intersection on the Byway at N34 02.087 W106 46.801. Turn right there, then another right at the yellow cattle guard (N34 01.908 W106 47.181). Continue west about a mile and a half, park at the windmill at N34 02.473 W 106 48.718.
When you are at the cache site, be sure to sing with the rock! There is a hole in the rock on the north side of the slot, big enough to stand in. Inside that there is a small hole about a foot wide by a foot and a half high—see photo. Put your head in the hole and sing or tone—slide the note up and down till you hit the resonance—you will definitely know when you do—the rock sings with you! My banjo tuner said it is a low E-flat (perhaps a bit low for the sopranos).
When we were there, a crow flew up and down the slot, cawing loudly the whole way. I think he was playing with the echos (or perhaps he was just trying to drive us away…).
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jr jbhyqa’g jnag n synfu sybbq gb jnfu gur pnpur njnl—orggre ybbx uvtu.
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