Early May 2020 Virtual Tour Ponderosa - Upper Crossing - Frijoles Canyon

Just 3 weeks after the April trip on this trail we did it again.  Spring had sprung and the difference was amazing.

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

25 seconds

Star flowers and choke cherries were blooming in abundance in early May, 2020 in Upper Frijoles Canyon. The smell was sweet like spring.

 

Duration:

21 seconds

Even with the still standing burnt trees Upper Frijoles Canyon takes on a beautiful shade of spring green.

 

Duration:

28 seconds

The canyon looks sooo much greener than it did in April.

 

Watch for the gentle purple of Rocky Mountain clematis twining its way up standing trees and bushes.

photo by Sally King

 

By early May the variety of flowers blooming in Frijoles Canyon is enormous.

photos by Sally King

 

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

34 seconds

Relax by the water and let your worries float away.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 6 seconds

In riparian areas water is all important and is the basis of everything.

 

Hiking this trail you never know what you might encounter like a pile of bear dung.  Always be ready to meet a large furry mammal when hiking in Bandelier's backcountry.

photo by Sally King

 

Watch where you put your feet.  Do you see the Canyon Tree Frog resting on the stepping stone in the creek?  They blend in very well.  He almost got squished.

photo by Sally King

 

Canyon Tree Frog

photo by Sally King

 

Duration:

20 seconds

Butterflies also like the plentiful resources along the creek.

 

Duration:

52 seconds

Whiptails are one type of lizard found in Bandelier.

 

Duration:

36 seconds

Frijoles Canyon is a gorgeous deep walled canyon with a very lush riparian zone even though it has been heavily impacted by fire.