Shiprock Mountain, NM
I made use of the Starbucks in Farmington, NM to get some work done. I was going to visit Shiprock mountain / rock a little over one hour away and one of my points to stop in New Mexico. I had no idea where I was going to stay, but I knew I could get back to Farmington pretty quickly if I needed to. I drove to Shiprock the town and could see Shiprock the mountain in the distance. I stopped along the way to take photos.
Shiprock Mountain, also known as Tsé Bitʼaʼí in Navajo, located in the northwest corner of New Mexico, is a sacred place for the Navajo people, who have lived in the region for centuries. It is a truly breathtaking natural wonder. Shiprock derives its name from its resemblances to 19th century clipper ship masts.
Rising abruptly from the desert floor, this imposing volcanic rock formation is a sight to behold, particularly at sunset. In addition, Shiprock Mountain also possesses a sense of serenity and peace that is difficult to find almost anywhere today. Standing alone at the foot of this huge rock formation, one can feel a sense of calmness and stillness that is both rare and rejuvenating. It's as if time slows down and the outside world fades away, leaving only the natural beauty and tranquility of this ancient and sacred site.
Shiprock Mountain
As I have read, The Navajo believe this is a sacred site that was once a great volcanic plug that was created by the fire of the earth. According to Navajo legend, Shiprock is the petrified remains of a great bird that transported the Navajo people to their ancestral homeland in the Four Corners region. It is said that the bird carried the Navajo people on its back and landed on the peak of Shiprock, where they made their home.
Shiprock is a significant place for Navajo spiritual ceremonies and rituals, including the Blessing Way, which is a sacred healing ceremony. Navajo people believe that the peak of Shiprock is a doorway to the spirit world and that it is a place where prayers can be heard and answered. Rock climbing was permitted on the rock until 1970 when a climber fell to his death. Since then Navajo Nation had prevented any rock climbing on Navajo property. I found a lot of articles about the traditional fear of death and its aftermath in Navajo culture. The Navajo didn’t want the spirits to haunt this sacred place.
Shiprock is also a symbol of Navajo sovereignty and resistance. The Navajo people have faced numerous challenges to their sovereignty, including forced relocation and attempts to assimilate them into mainstream American culture. However, Shiprock stands as a physical and spiritual reminder of their cultural identity and their resilience.
I parked at the base of the rock formation and took it all in. I then I hiked towards the rock which was deceiving. It was further away than it looked. I hiked around the base to the west side where there is a rock formation that looks like a large backbone running into the distance. I found myself a top this backbone and then had some worry about getting back down or hurting myself while there was no one around.
I walked, sat, listened, and took photographs for four hours and eventually found my way back to the car. I made dinner at watched as the sky changed colors for the next hour or so.
It was mostly cloudy and very dark all around me. There probably wasn’t another person for at least 10-15 miles. Ironically, I had full internet service and was able to do some surfing on line. I stepped out of the car before going to sleep and could see the lights from the town of Shiprock in the distance, everything else was pitch black. I expected to hear coyotes in the distance but all I heard was the wind blocking on the mountain.
For those seeking a moment of respite from daily life, a visit to Shiprock Mountain might be a place to visit. It’s a little out of the way which adds to its draw.