The trail-on the south side of East Jemez Road about a half mile west of the intersection of N.M. 4 and East Jemez Road-passes numerous ancient cave dwellings, including the Mortandad Cave Kiva, which is decorated with abundant well-preserved cave art. The area is located on Laboratory property and normally is closed to the public for preservation purposes.
Laboratory Cultural Resources Team members will be stationed at the trailhead and along the trail to provide safety briefings and historical and interpretive information about the site. All visitors must be self-sufficient and should come prepared to walk a moderately difficult one-and-a-half-mile round-trip hike in arid, dusty, piñon-juniper forest. Because New Mexico weather is unpredictable, visitors should come prepared for all conditions.
Visitors must treat the area with respect using a "leave no trace" ethic and must not take anything from the area. All visitors must be off the trail by 3 p.m. both days.
For more information, call Lorrie Bonds-Lopez at 667-0216.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and the Washington Division of URS for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.