A Quick Peek at Bisti Badlands......an unanticatpated dash to the Homefront

I could have stayed at Canyon de Chelly for another couple days...it was a very relaxing time and would have liked to do some more exploring in the area....But I was also looking foward to the Bisti Badlands.....I have never been there and it seemed to be a very unique place...

(c)2016HorstKelly Photography...Bisti Badlands

My plan was to drive to Farmington New Mexico, spend the night at the County Fair Grounds, stop at the BLM office, get info and maps and head to Bisti on Thursday...a short 35 or so miles south...most folks who visit Bisti overnight at Farmington and do day trips to the Bisti Area...I wanted to Boondock at the Park if possible...and it was. I arrived in Farmington early afternoon, found the Fairgrounds and got a spot...they have several hundred RV sites ...and I was it for the night.....and the park bumped up to the San Juan River...how many places have I been with the San Juan as my camp companion...I set up, found a HOT shower and then I was off to see the BLM folks...what a super group of people...professional, very friendly and extremely informative..gave me many suggestions, especially for photo ops and the various different hikes, distance, best time to see, etc...the law enforcement folks also came by and one of them gave me his cell number.  He said there has  never been a problem, but since I am camping and will probably be the only one overnighting, he thought it might be nice too have...I was very impressed and thanked them and off I went....I stopped for a few provisions, got back to the fair grounds, relaxed, grilled some chicken breasts and went down to the River to relax...another great day.

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer Bisti Badlands 

Since it was only 30 something miles I was in no rush to roll...especisally didn't want to arrive in the heat of the day.....left early afternoon...had some rather larges Mesa's to roll up and over, but arrived no worse for wear...the last 3 miles are washboard, but it was worth it...there is a gravel parking area and a couple more, kinda, sorta, areas to park...I parked in the main lot...another 30 ft RV there...and 2 cars...I unhitched and looked around the area to get orientated to which way was which...most hikes to the "Bisti's is at least a couple miles....

Around 330pm I decided to venture out...my plan was to get a lay of the land, figure out the best times to photograph and then starting tomorrow evening(which didn't happen)do some hikes and get photo's...I would do the same thing tomorrow morning and then spend another couple days trying to get some photos's.

(c)2016HorstKelly Photographer....Bisti Badlands

First a little info on the area:
"The Bisti Badlands / De Na Zin Wilderness Area was once a coastal swamp of an inland sea, home to many large trees, reptiles, dinosaurs and primitive mammals. Today hikers find the preserved record of this swamp amidst a true desert wilderness.

Visit Bisti Badlands to hike, take photographs,camp and watch wildlife. The Bits/De-Na-Zen badlands support a small number of nesting golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, and prairie falcons. There are two major geological formations found in the wilderness, the Fruitland Formation and the Kirtland Shale. The Fruitland Formation makes up most of what the visitor will see while in the badlands where weathering of the sandstone forms the many spires and hoodoos (sculpted rock) found throughout the area. The Kirtland Shale contains rock of various colors and dominates the eastern part of the wilderness. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness to protect the area’s naturalness, special features, and opportunities for solitude and primitive types of recreation. 

It is best to travel in the early morning and late afternoon. There are no marked trails in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness and it is easy to get confused or lost. A GPS or compass is helpful. Pay close attention to your surroundings. Take plenty of water, protective clothing and footwear appropriate for the season. No cell phone service is available." From the New Mexico Adventure Magazine.

(c)2016HorsyKelly Photographer....Bisti Badlands

I hiked until the sun started dipping below the horizon...what a place..though I took some photo's they where usually at the wrong angle but I was in such awe that photos was not a priority....what a place...I couldn't wait for morning to come and adventure into this Maze of "Alice in Wonderland" I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and exchanging "adventure notes".....What a Grand Find.....

The next morning I did two more  hikes...and I was getting more excited with each new maze I entered...took a break that afternoon, getting ready for that magic evening light....I then got the call that there was a issue at Home....Bottom line by 430 pm I was hitched up and rolling south and east towards Texas....I drove until I felt it that my "judgement" was starting to get lax...stop and fell asleep...got up and did it all over again....after after what felt like forever, I finally got to Seminole Canyon and based on the situation at home getting better, decided to stay for a day or less....and rest...met a couple from Houston with a Casita...great fireside chat and morning chat...super folks.....so full of life and humor...I thought they where in the mid to late 60's.....turns out he is 81, she is 80...they became my new hero's!!!

(c)2016HorstKelly PhotogrA

Got home the next day....Bride is on the mend and feeling better...which makes me feel a whole lot happier.....More posts to follow about the trip in the next week or so.....safe travels....Horst sends
Been home for week and a half or so.