Santa Fe Conservation Trust
2025 INSIDER TOURS
Ruins · Artifacts · Views · Historical Sites
Rare opportunities to explore archaeological and geological sites on private land.
THE TOURS
Insider Geology Tour at SFCT’s Galisteo Basin Property
April 5 • 9:00 AM
Half-day tour near Santa Fe, NM
$150 per person (includes lunch and half-day tour)
Registration now open
Geologist Kirt Kempter will lead us on this excursion to explore the superb geology of the Galisteo Basin. Many important geologic sites and events will be discussed as we traverse this landscape, including the volcanic history of the Cerrillos Hills and Ortiz Mountains, the preservation of abundant petrified trees, the onset of rifting in the Santa Fe area, and how the geology of the Galisteo Basin impacts oil, gas, and water in the area.
Insider Archaeology Tour at San Cristobal Pueblo
August 23 • 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Half-day tour near Santa Fe, NM
$150 per person, includes lunch and half-day tour
($120 Tax-Deductible)
Pueblo San Cristobal is one of the premier rock art and village sites in New Mexico. It reflects a complex history that spans the immediately pre- and post-Spanish colonization periods. The cultural landscape embodies stories of adaptation to climate change, the artistic expression of a rich social and religious life, and the persistence of traditional culture in the face of Spanish conquest. Led by Eric Blinman, former Director of the Office of Archaeological Studies, Museum of New Mexico, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.
Insider Geology Tour at Diablo Canyon
October 30 • 9:00 AM
$150 per person, includes lunch and half-day tour
Join us on this outing to explore the volcanic story behind Diablo Canyon and provide sweeping vistas of the Jemez Mountains and White Rock Canyon. Geologist Kirt Kempter will lead the group on a 2.5-mile hike that climbs 450 feet in elevation, providing overlooks down into Diablo Canyon.
ABOUT THE GUIDES
Eric Blinman
Eric Blinman has been involved in archaeology for nearly 60 years. Eric’s academic degrees are from UC Berkeley and Washington State University, and he joined the Museum of New Mexico’s archaeology program in 1988. He directed the program from 2006-2023, supervising a remarkable staff in the recovery and interpretation of archaeological evidence of the state’s rich multicultural history. His personal research focus has been in human economic and social adaptations to climate change, and his technical expertise is in dating techniques, culture histories of the diverse modern Native American communities, and experimental studies of pottery and yucca fiber technologies. He has been committed to education and outreach throughout his career, delivering public lectures, tours, and classroom education programs.
Kirt Kempter
Kirt Kempter is a Fulbright Fellow and Ph.D. graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, now living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A volcanologist and field geologist, Kirt has conducted extensive field research in Costa Rica, Mexico, and New Mexico, and has worked with the NASA astronaut training program, providing field geologic training to astronaut candidates. His interest in global geologic processes has allowed him to lead field-oriented expeditions to destinations such as Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa, and Antarctica. Kirt has led educational tours for Smithsonian Journeys and National Geographic Expeditions since 1993, and greatly enjoys sharing his passion and knowledge of geology with tour participants. On the side, Kirt particularly enjoys photography, cooking, and tennis.