La Bajada-the descent (2)

La Bajada hill is a major break in topography situated along a geological fault zone that separates the downfaulted Rio Grande rift from the Santa Fe Plateau. The red formation tilted at various angles along the fault zone the Galisteo Formation deposited in streams about 70 million years ago. More recent volcanic lavas form the resistant caprock of the plateau above. Landslide deposits are prominent on the slopes below the lava cap. Total relief from the rim of the Santa Fe Plateau to Galisteo Creek at the foot of La Bajada is about 800 feet.