Memorial Day 2006 - Back to Bandelier!

For many years the Memorial Day sleeper bus trip to Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico was one of the Dallas Group’s most popular trips. In the mid 90s, carelessly set fires burned large parts of the area putting this popular outing on hiatus. Now, like Yellowstone did, Bandelier has recovered nicely from the fires and it’s time to return to the fascinating area.

One main attraction of the area is unique scenery. Bandelier takes in part of the Pajarito Plateau, a slab of volcanic tuff spreading out from the Jemez Mountains. The Plateau is split by several canyons resulting in a kind of upside down topography. Instead of mountains rising from the plain you have a plain with canyons cut into it.

An aspect of Bandelier not matched by any other place Dallas trips visit is the extensive Anasazi ruins and rock art. The area was home to a thriving community from about 1075 AD to 1550 and today much evidence of their occupation remains. Bandelier was established to preserve these ruins. Many of the finest examples can only be reached by hikers.

The Dallas Sierra Club bus trip will feature 5 different backpack trips. All 5 trips will hike in to a base camp the first day; do a dayhike the second day, and hike out the third day. The trips differ in how long the backpacks and dayhikes are. The easiest trip will concentrate on extensive ruins and water falls near the visitor center. Camp will be in a shaded canyon with water nearby. Other trips will backpack farther into the backcountry, get to see more of the area, and visit more remote ruins. A highlight of many of these trips will be Painted Cave.

Like most of our bus trips this one will leave Friday evening. When you first board the bus seating will be groups of two people facing two people across a small table. Around 10pm the bus will convert to “bunk mode” and we’ll stretch out to sleep the rest of the way to Bandelier. When you wake up Saturday morning you’ll be there and it will be time to go hiking! Seating and trips are assigned in the order you sign up for the trip so sign up soon and come along with us to this very scenic area. Visit the Dallas Sierra Club web site to find out how to sign up.