Mountain Flowers

3 mountain top flowers, purple cluster flowers, purple flower with yellow center, pink fringed flowers — Lupine, Blue Eyed Grass, Bee Balm
Photos by Sally King

In mid to late summer, if the moisture has been good, the higher elevations of Bandelier National Monument explode in an abundance of color as moisture loving plants begin to flower. Good trails to see these flowers on include Cerro Grande, Alamo Boundary, Upper Frijoles Canyon Overlook Trail, and Sawyer Mesa Trail. Remember that it is the additional moisture that makes for this rainbow of growth. Hiking early in the day is recommended as afternoon thunderstorms are very common. These storms often include lightning, hail, and great drops in temperature. Always be prepared for these changing conditions.