Burro Trail to Sego Lilies and back

Duration:

21 seconds

To access the Burro Trail you must first climb out of Frijoles Canyon. Don't forget to check out the view.

 

If you start the hike early in the morning, which is definitely recommended, you may see the turkey vultures that roost in the trees by the visitor center take their first flight of the day.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

59 seconds

Hiking out of the canyon in the morning you can have an excellent viewpoint to see the turkey vultures mass assent from their nightly roost.

 

Duration:

8 seconds

A turkey vultures morning flight

 

The Burro Trail travels across a broad mesa affording long views in all directions.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

16 seconds

The San Miguel Mountains lie on the western boundary of Bandelier. The Burro Trail affords great views of this very old volcanic mountain.

 

Duration:

13 seconds

The Burro Trail has some of the best long distance views in the park.

 

Duration:

30 seconds

It's about 4.5 miles to the location of the sego lilies. They only grow in specific ecotones. The walk is worth it.

 

The sego lilies bloom in May.  Their cousins, the mariposa lilies, bloom in late summer and at much higher elevations.

photo by Sally King

 

Sego lilies are not the only flowers to be found on the Burro Trail in May.  Many of the flowers seem to be yellow.

photos by Sally King

 

Duration:

56 seconds

The sego lilies look too lush to be found in such a dry environment. The more you look the more you see their face design hidden in their petals.

 

Duration:

44 seconds

Big river indeed. A nice bird's eye view of this waterway can be seen at the sego lily location.

 

A pair of sego lilies

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

46 seconds

It is always so interesting to see the little ecotones as you hike through Bandelier. Here on the rim of the canyon above the Rio Grande everything is different than it is nearer the water.

 

 

A wide variety of dry environment butterflies can be found in this part of the park as well.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

33 seconds

The hike back is a slow uphill slog. Going uphill the views are not amazing so be sure to stop and turn around to get the best sights.

 

Duration:

18 seconds

Be sure to take plenty of water and wear sunscreen and clothing to block the sun. There is very little shade along this route.

 

The San Miguels look beautiful with clouds rolling by.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

33 seconds

And now hot, probably sunburned despite the sunscreen, and dehydrated from not drinking enough water you made it back. It's been a wonderful day hike.