I was fortunate to visit this area, traveling westward from Santa Fe towards the 4 corners, when I was studying Geology in college. We stopped to look at tall, soft ash cliffs and a gorgeous meadow that was the remainder of the center of a blown out volcanic caldera. We also camped at a pretty, forested campsite while traveling through the park (Ponderosa campground?).

A nice guide book I have is "A Guide to Bandelier National Monument" by Dorothy Hoard.

^..^ Julie

There are so many to go in the SW!

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but the Valle Caldera highway drives in the general area. It's a very beautiful place from what i've heard. When the snows fly, i'm going to take a trip through that area and make a pictoral of Bandelier and the Valles Caldera.

http://www.nps.gov/band/index.htm

This would make a good trip!

^..^ Julie

Havcen't been there since about '79 though. I've thought about heading down that way this coming spring.