Tsankawi Section of Bandelier National Monument

We drove out to the Tsankawi Area of Bandelier National Monument to hike the 1.5 mile loop trail. This is a fascinating area with fabulous rock formations and petroglyphs .

The leads to this mesa, where the trail goes up and over, then down and along the side on the right.

Lovely rock formation near the start of the loop.

We were on the trail as the sun came up.

Lovely views in all directions.

A small rock arch

Lots of holes in the rock walls.

In places the rock has been worn down by steps and water, leading to these narrow paths carved into the rock.

Near the beginning of the loop going up, we saw these two large petroglyph areas right by the trail.

As we continued along the trail we would see different areas with petroglyphs, some faint others well defined and of different sizes. Some I would need to use the zoom on my camera to capture the images.

Here there was a choice to continue on, to go up through the narrow slot on the left or climb a ladder on the right behind the large rock wall. We went up through the narrow slot.

Views from the trail over the top of the mesa.

The vegetation was lush up here.

View looking down to the next level

Another narrow section of the trail

A ladder takes us down to the next level and to continue on the loop heading back.

I love the views, the rock formations and the trail itself.

There are a variety of holes/caves carved out over time into the rock walls,

some of these holes are large enough to enter.

View from inside the "cave" looking out.

Through out the trail, we wold see wildflowers in bloom.

another window 

More interesting rock formations along the way as we continued along the loop.

Here there was a double path carved over time deep into the surface of the rock.

Here are hole where logs were probably inserted to hold up a roof, to make a shelter in this alcove.

More holes in the rock here.

An area of orange rock

An the rock formations and scenery continued to delight as we followed the loop trail back towards the beginning of the loop.

some of the petroglyphs we saw along the loop trail:

  

  

 

  

 

  

 some of the wildflowers and flor along the trail today: