Bandelier National Monument, Falls Trail

From the visitor centre the Falls trail follows Frijoles Creek through the forest it’s about a 3 mile round trip.

Strange, tent like rock formations along the trail.

 

Bridges along this trail were also removed as part of the flash flood prevention last year and in most places have been replaced by planks.

Although just before we came to the wilderness sign we did come across one deep section of the creek that had no boards so we had to scramble around to find somewhere to cross and then climb up the bank before continuing on.   After doing this we came across a sign that warned about poison ivy, so then of course I spent the next couple of days hoping we didn’t come out in an itchy rash, thankfully we didn’t.

 

The trail guide warns you about steep 400ft drop offs and we wondered where they were, but once you pass the wilderness sign the path climbs high up the side of the canyon along a narrow ledge before coming down to the falls.

 

The Upper Falls.

 

The trail used to continue to the lower falls and then onto the Rio Grande, but during the floods last year this part of the trail was washed out and is no longer safe. 
 

The closed section of the trail with the Rio Grande in the distance, this section must be really bad as the signs say you can be fined and/or arrested if you try to walk it.

There are a couple of other trails we’d like to hike at Bandelier, but needless to say we ran out of time so these will have to go on our ‘to revisit’ list.
 

Have fun, we are!