5/25/2025 Overland to Santa Fe                        Bandelier National Monument

Finally, we begin to hike the Pueblo Loop Trail - Big Kiva.
 

Bandelier protects over 33,000 rugged canyons 

and mesa terrain acres, countless wildlife, 

and evidence of early communities 

of the Ancestral Pueblo people 

dating back over 11,000 years.

 

I love the challenges of climbing ladders, 

examining the petroglyphs and checking out 

the rock cliff carved dwellings.

Unfortunately, Cave Kiva, a very popular and 

heavily visited part of the Pueblo Loop Trail was vandalized. 

Serious damage was done, and the Bandelier Rangers and Preservationists revoked public access, 

removed the ladder, and posted closure signs 

with severe warnings. 

This was the most massive fallen tree 

I have ever seen during any of my hikes.