We travelled a short distance outside Santa Fe NM to the interesting and historic Bandelier National Monument.
Bandelier National Monument protects over 33,000 acres of rugged but beautiful canyon and mesa country as well as evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years. Petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls pay tribute to the early days of a culture that still survives in the surrounding communities.
On the route to the site, the landscape changed to the mostly volcanic rock evident at the early settlement location.
The route to the valley below was a sad surprise as last years fires and floods had scared the landscape.
The visitor centre was not fully operational and parking was limited.
The park service has plans to bus visitors from the nearby town of White Rock starting in June 2012
An ancient oven marks the start of the trail walk to this special area.
The canyon cliffs appear.
The place had a feeling of community.
Thousands of years ago hundreds of people gathered in these communial settings.
The old walls were the markers of the size of the community.
A complex construction of walk ways bring the visitors in direct contact with the dwellings.
Ladders, such as was used in the past, enabled a visitor to experience the interior of the dwelling.
A view of the community from the cliffs.
Dwellings at the base of the cliff.
Many of the caves were huge with different levels.
Fantastic formations.
Watch Your Step
Honey, I'm home!!
Terrific views of the old dwellings.
Examples of the wall drawings.
Drawing discovered in a dwelling.
On the trail exiting the site there was still lots of evidence
of last years forest fires.
A view of "Camel Rock" on highway from
BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT.
