Bandelier National Monument

September 22, 2012

Today we decided to take a drive on the High Road to Taos (we ran it from Taos) then visited Bandelier National Monument.  The high road was quite scenic, no pictures though because the mountains were east into the sun.  Generally they route people off at a point north of the actual end, of course we decided to go all the way.  Wow, New Mexico Highway 503, a state highway mind you, was barely the width of a car.  It was paved and curved right in front of a couple of front porches!  We thought we were lost, but no, a state highway sign showed up in less than mile.  Easy to see why they route you off before.

Eventually we made it to White Rock, near Los Alamos where a shuttle takes you into the Bandelier park.  The park experienced a really bad year in 2011.  A wild fire burned 60% of the high mesa vegetation.  They got it put out in August then were hit by a flash flood.  The lack of vegetation caused the water to run rampant and took out several trails, bridges, and some ruins.  They are recovering but a flood threat will continue until vegetation grows back.

The park is actually an archeological site where they discovered ruins left from Ancestral Pueblo People.  The picture is the overall view of talus houses. A community of, they figure, about 100 people.  The second photo is a closer view of a remaining wall showing the brick structure. 

 In this same area they built and lived in cliff dwellings.  Many with ladders you can ascend to look into to the dwelling.  The people were similar to those living at Mesa Verde, except the material for these caves is a very soft material called tuff.  Mesa Verde dwellings were not carved out.  They cut bricks and carried them into the cave to build pueblos.  Their material was sandstone, which explains why their ruins have stood up better.
 

Bandelier Park, named after Adolf Bandelier who found the ruins, sits in Frijoles Valley.  The Pueblo People lived off the valley, and some on the mesa above.  The park is quite interesting and scenic. The hikes are easy, with well maintained trails.

As you know we love our poseys.  Here are a couple from today.


Buckhorn Cactus




Mexican Hat

 Tomorrow we move to Albuquerque.  Balloon ride next week!