The Alien Throne

Located south of Farmington, NM, are three wilderness/wilderness study areas. They are the Bisti, De-Na-Zin and Ah-She-Sle-Pah, all derived from Navajo names. All are located either in the midst of or close to Navajo lands.

All three are basically, water-carved washes of eroded cliffs, ravines and badlands. There is little vegetation. Each area has its own unique set of strange, eerie, unusual formations, all derived from the same basic geologic formation. Hoodoos, balanced rocks, and strangely shaped formations exist in each. Petrified wood may be found  along with animal and even dinosaur fossils. These are embedded in the sandstones, mudstones, shales, clays and coal seams found at each area.

Having visited the Bisti a few years ago, in the spring of 2023, we wanted to make the longer drive into the Ah-She-Sle-Pah WSA, especially to see and photograph the formation shown here that has captured a lot of attention. Nearby is also another area of similar but smaller towers called “The Alien Nursery.” Despite a near miss with a rattlesnake, we succeeded in our goals and captured the image portrayed here of the 15 foot tall “Alien Throne” at sunset with golden/salmon hues making the otherwise drab, gray rocks come to life with evening color. No actual aliens were observed or UFO’s.