Bisti Badlands Loop in Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness BLM, NM

Hike Bisti Badlands Loop Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness BLM, NM

Class 2 9.8 miles 800 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Nov 1, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bisti Badlands Loop GPX Track

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This is an incredibly fun adventure through wide open desert. As soon as you leave one interesting destination, a blissful jaunt through colorful fills and absurd textures leads to the next. The route I took (see map) is one of countless you could take, but my goal was to see as much as I could in a day, including all of the established locations (named hoodoos, arches, etc.). It ened up being a much longer day than anticipated, but I just could not stop taking photos. I outlined my route in the map, but unlike my other hike posts, the photos only reflect the order in which they were taken, as describing my route via photos would have been impossible. Some major points of interest were Alien Hatchery, Petrified Logs, Bisti Arch, Bist Rock Garden, Two Snakes Hoodoo, and The Fin. Much more to be seen, and honestly, there were so many intersting things without names that just wandering around would have been just as much fun as trying to find the landmarks.

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The start of the playground.
The start of the playground.
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Wandering through open desert.
Wandering through open desert.
Heading toward The Seal and The Ostrich (neither pictured).
Heading toward The Seal and The Ostrich (neither pictured).
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A mini canyon bringing me up to the mesa.
A mini canyon bringing me up to the mesa.
Looking back at the canyon I came up.
Looking back at the canyon I came up.
Along the mesa, where a little trail led me for a while before I left it.
Along the mesa, where a little trail led me for a while before I left it.
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Some great formations on the mesa top.
Some great formations on the mesa top.
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Leaving the mesa top rock formations looking for a place to return to the badlands.
Leaving the mesa top rock formations looking for a place to return to the badlands.
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My chosen canyon to get down off the mesa.
My chosen canyon to get down off the mesa.
Some cool, well- lit formations.
Some cool, well- lit formations.
Back in the badlands.
Back in the badlands.
At the top of some interesting red mounds.
At the top of some interesting red mounds.
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An island of rock formations.
An island of rock formations.
Approaching the Alien Hatchery.
Approaching the Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery.
Alien Hatchery. Yes, I liked this spot.
Alien Hatchery. Yes, I liked this spot.
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Entering Petrified Forest of Logs.
Entering Petrified Forest of Logs.
Petrified Forest of Logs.
Petrified Forest of Logs.
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One really big petrified log.
One really big petrified log.
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Unnamed arch overlooking the Petrified Forest of Logs.
Unnamed arch overlooking the Petrified Forest of Logs.
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Heading up another side canyon, away from the badlands.
Heading up another side canyon, away from the badlands.
Found a cool butte I wanted to head up. This is taken on my way up.
Found a cool butte I wanted to head up. This is taken on my way up.
Top of my chosen unnamed butte.
Top of my chosen unnamed butte.
Great badland views.
Great badland views.
Closeup of my way down from the butte.
Closeup of my way down from the butte.
Approaching abandoned Hawk nest.
Approaching abandoned Hawk nest.
Hawk nest.
Hawk nest.
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Two Snakes Hoodoo. This was the halfway point for my loop.
Two Snakes Hoodoo. This was the halfway point for my loop.
Wandering through a wash on my way back.
Wandering through a wash on my way back.
Bisti Arch. It's super small, despite what I thought before visiting. Still fun.
Bisti Arch. It's super small, despite what I thought before visiting. Still fun.
Image 59 from gallery
Approaching Bisti Rock Garden.
Approaching Bisti Rock Garden.
Bisti Rock Garden.
Bisti Rock Garden.
Bisti Rock Garden.
Bisti Rock Garden.
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Side canyon on my approach to The Fin.
Side canyon on my approach to The Fin.
The Fin!
The Fin!
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The Fin.
The Fin.
There was another hawk nest on one of these guys (farther back).
There was another hawk nest on one of these guys (farther back).
Finding my way back through washes.
Finding my way back through washes.
Image 72 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!