From the visitor center area there is a trail to a waterfall. The trail is supposed to go to two waterfalls an upper and a lower on the Frijoles River; but the trail to the lower falls was not open, presumably due to damage to the trail and safety concerns.
The trail is not a long one, but it has some steep portions. Still it was not overly difficult. Initially the trail follows beside and crosses the river at one or two places, then climbs out of the river valley, going up the valley wall.
As one nears the waterfall, a deep canyon comes into view. Geologists will find the canyon wall interesting as many layers of rock and geologic features are exposed.
The Frijoles River dumps into the Rio Grande at the end of this canyon.
There is a view point for the falls, after one hikes past the falls and looks back upstream. The trail here is far above the river and there is not a way to get close to the upper falls.
A big lens is required for getting a close up of the falls. We planned to come back here again, but we never got back. So these images are all I have.
This wraps up this visit to Bandelier National Monument.
Next up: Zapata Falls and The Great Sand Dunes in Colorado.
Until then,
Ken
Geez! I was feeling like I was about to fall into the abyss! Be careful out there!
This is definitely a place to stay on the official trail. I like to be sure I’m on solid ground, if I’m getting close to a cliff edge or river bank. I’ve read too many stories of tourist falling to their deaths doing stupid things.
Great view in that first shot and the nice sky makes it. I like the first of the two waterfall shots without the pine branches entering the frame. That’s a beautiful and very photogenic spot!
Thanks for the feedback, Denise. I agree with you on the second waterfall shot. I had tried to use the tree whose branches are intruding from the right of that shot in other images, but I just could not get anything that looked good. I really wanted to come back with my 80-400mm lens to get a closer shot of the waterfall, but we changed our plans and moved on to the Great Sand Dunes. There will be several posts from the sand dunes in the near future.
Ken