monastery of christ in the desert

Ok, so this location is at the end of a 13 mile dirt road. I saw several reviews that said 4-wheel drive was necessary but don't believe it. There area couple of small areas that have wash board surface but you can take any vehicle out there. The monastery itself is very pretty and the surrounding scenery is gorgeous. There's a great gift shop with crafts made by the monks as well as many other items. This is a SILENT monastery and they ask you to abide by this directive. You can talk in certain areas without interfering in their beliefs. Check the schedule online if you'd like to share in their services. I believe they also chant 7 times during the day and evening.

The dirt road leading to the monastery requires good clearance and four wheel drive optimally. You may get there with regular car but never on a rainy day when the mud surface is slick (we were there on a day after a rain). The views on the way are ever changing and spectacular along the Chama River. Well worth the trek but plan on the better part of a day and take your time. There are many spots along the way with river views and access. The monastery is interesting as well. There is a small shop where you can purchase items made by the monks such as soaps, lotions and beer (some items are from outside locations). The chapel is well designed. You can hear chanting from the monks at certain times but we hit it at the wrong time. I was surprised that one can choose to stay at guest quarters just outside the main area. This area is a place of quiet, contemplative reflection and worship. Very beautiful and remote location. It is a silent order of the monks but someone is available to answer questions. Nice restrooms available after the long drive. http://christdesert.org

We were a little nervous to take the drive 13 miles into the mountains, especially hearing the tales from the locals! But, the weather was beautiful while we were there, so we decided to brave it...without four-wheel drive. The drive was absolutely spectacular. The road followed the Chama River through the mountains and the canyon. The monastery itself is nestled up against a sandstone mountain. The architecture is lovely, but frankly, the setting totally steals the show. It is a peaceful, serene place where you can feel closer to whatever higher being you choose. We spent a week in the area and hands down, this was my absolutely most favorite place we visited. Incredibly special.

Go, but take your time on the way in and out. The scenery is spectacular. The Monastery is serene, we even went to a service while out there. Savor the experience.

I would not attempt this drive without a jeep or 4-wheel drive vehicle. This is a treacherous, winding gravel road--very narrow, no markings, and many plunging drop offs. Also, make sure you have enough time to get back to the highway before the sun sets or you might see Christ sooner than you expected. A beautiful drive, for the experienced, mature driver only.

It's 14 miles down an unpaved road but usually OK in reasonable weather. (Take it easy!) For me the trip to get there is more than the destination itself. The road takes you along the Chama River with many scenic views. There are several places to pull off the road to enjoy the views and explore. TAKE YOUR CAMERA. It is just too pretty to be described, especially in the fall. The Monastery itself is worth a visit and the public are allowed to attend several services that are offered each day. There is a nice gift shop, it is a silent order but if you have questions look for the Guest Master whose office is opposite the gift shop.

Fifteen miles winding around a gravel road following the Rio Chama and through the Carson National Forest is only half of the pleasure of visiting this jewell set back into the Canyon. The other is the beauty of the place including hearing the monks sing the office several times a day. Visitors have a special section where they can just sit and listen or join into the singing if they follow the service. There's a high quality gift shop including items made by the monks (including CDs of their chanting) and neighboring artisans. Note: Road is rough and sometimes cannot be negotiated in wet or icy weather particularly by 2-wheel drive cars. It is also possible to stay overnight in their Guesthouse but one should arrange well in advance.

Great place to visit off the beaten path. Long bumpy gravel road, terrific views, drive slow, enjoy the view, picnic along the way, and just relax. If that sounds like fun to you and you can spare 3-4 hours - go for it. If you are in rush mode and need to be connected to the internet at all times- stay on the highway - not your kind of place. We had an enjoyable visit, one of the monks gave us a short talk on the monastery, and it was a nice day in New Mexico.

Be prepared for the LONG,beautiful ride,on the 13 mile off highway experience!!!BIG holes,etc,on a dirt road,BUT well worth the trip.SOOOOO quiet,relaxed,and very special,as well as good conversation,with the monks,in the gift shop.Would love to come and spend some lengthy time,on a retreat here!!!!one can come and stay,meals include,at a reasonable cost,so i think that would be really sweet.

The 13-mile each way drive up to the monastery is somewhat difficult with many hairpin turns and switchbacks over a scree-covered road. The scenery is lovely, but there is not much to do or see for the typical day visitor. There is a nice curving landscaped walk from the parking area to the monastery.

We drove the route in our Toyota van. The road is not paved and with all the stops for photo ops, it took us 3 hours to get back to the monastery. Well worth the time. Pack a picnic as there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the beautiful nature all around. There were other people driving back there, or out, but no problem even though there isn't lots of room for 2 vehicles to pass, but it's doable. There are also a couple of campgrounds en route, basic with toilet facilities, but no running water. No time to visit the brewery but that just gives us another trip to look forward to. Be forewarned that this is snake country so you just want to be aware.

I just drove out there to look. It is a beautiful setting. Very peaceful. The Chama River is the center piece of red and golden cliffs.

If you're looking for complete silence in a remote place with stunning nature and a prayerful touch, this is the place to go. I've been to a number of very nice Benedictine monasteries in Germany, Italy, France and Kenya but never to one as unique and beautiful as this one. It's hidden in a stunningly beautiful canyon valley, at the end of a 13 mile dirt road off Highway 84 (ok to drive with a normal car unless it rains), at the bottom of impressive red rocks. The minimum stay is two nights because it is so remote and the rules of the day are silence and simplicity. The guest house offers a little patio/terrace for each room, light comes from solar-powered lamps that you have to recharge over the day (bring a headlamp!). There are no sockets and no other electricity. The rooms are not lockable and are very simple (bed, closet, desk and chair) but beautiful in their simplicity. Bathrooms are either shared or private - we were lucky to have a shared bathroom for private use and it was basic but fine (except for a clogged sink). The monastery is 5min walk away, you can join the community of ca. 30 monks in their daily prayers and mass. There's no mobile signal and no wifi but everyone can use the computer in the dining room for checking emails (the connection is slow though). Breakfast is served after the morning prayer (7am) or mass (9am) in silence. Meals are offered in the same refectory with the monks, in silence or while listening to a reading or classical music. This is rather unusual, especially for women, and added to the unique and beautiful experience. The architecture of the monastery is simple and beautiful, a mix of light, handcrafted wood, artistic paintings of bible scenes or saints and all rooms including the chapel leave views of the rocks through big glass windows. You can go for walks along the road and the river, at night you hear the coyotes howl and in the morning you can watch deer drink at the river. The valley seems to be a popular rafting spot but I'd still not prefer that to the silence and peace of the monastery. They also have a little gift shop. At night it got pretty cold and over the day pretty hot but still pleasant. The monks are very hospitable. I will definitely come back.

Built against an enormous stone canyon wall this majestic monastery has influenced those fortunate to make it back to it. The road is vastly improved since my last visit but still is dirt and clay that gets impossible to navigate after rains that frequently fall in late summer. Guests facilities are simple and very basic but for those seeking silent spiritual surroundings this location is exquisite. Read up on the Monastery on the web before you make the thirteen mile drive off the highway. The quiet and simple life of the Monastery is nicely explained.

If you want to get away from it all, come here. I needed a bit (a lot!) of peace and quiet from my big city life, so this monastery caught my attention. It's 13 miles down a dirt road, past beautiful, multicolored desert scenery. While there you can pray with the monks, meditate by yourself, read, or just watch the changing colors of the mountains and sky. It's a great deal. You get 3 square meals a day (observe the strict timing!) included in the room rate. A 2-night minimum stay is requested. The rooms are spartan but certainly adequate. Just note: --NO shorts requested at meals and main building--SILENCE requested during your stay, except in a certain designated area--NO ELECTRICITY in guest rooms; portable solar lamps are provided--You can CHARGE YOUR GADGETS in the common guest room in the main building--If you are there on a SUNDAY, there is a social hour where you can meet and converse with the monks (we were there Monday and Tuesday)Not for everybody, but a great experience if you want to take a little bit of New Mexico heaven home with you. (And see those stars at night!!)