Shiprock

Shiprock Peak is a solidified lava core or “neck” of a dormant 40 million year old volcanic pinnacle. It’s shape reminded early visitors to the area of a 19th century Clipper Ship. It stands nearly 1,800 feet above the four-corners New Mexican plain and can be seen for miles. The town of Shiprock, New Mexico lies about 13 miles northeast, and famous Highway 66 as about 6 miles away. It is the only feature on the landscape in the area and draws your attention from a long distance away. Today, you can drive fairly close to it, but getting really close is stopped by ranch fencing. Navajo legends and beliefs make it scared so it is now illegal to climb.