Alcove House, Frijoles Rim, and Frijoles Falls in Bandelier National Monument, NM

Hike Alcove House, Frijoles Rim, and Frijoles Falls Bandelier National Monument, NM

Class 1 6.9 miles 1100 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Nov 4, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Bandelier National Monument is known for its preservation of ancestral dwellings. This hike visits some of the main highlights of the main canyon, including Long House, Alcove House, and Frijoles Falls. I thought the combination of human history and the natural waterfall made this a particularly nice little hike.

First I set out to check out the human elements. The Pueblo Loop Trail is paved and gets quite close to a bunch of the history. You can even enter some of the dwellings near Long House, including a kiva. A bit of walking before heading along the Rito de Los Frijoles (a stream) leaves much of the crowds behind, and is required to get to Alcove House. This is a unique spot, where a bunch of wooden ladders lead up to a dwelling that's nestled under a big alcove in the cliffs above.

I backtracked and decided to make the hike a little longer (and avoid backtracking on the paved trail) by leaving the Pueblo Loop Trail and ascending along Long Trail to reach the Frijoles Rim Trail on west side of the canyon in order to look down at the pueblos from above. This was a nice addition to get some light exercise. The trail ascended slowly to the rim, traversed the rim, and then descended on tight switchbacks back to the Visitor Center.

Back at the trailhead, I continued to Frijoles Falls using the trail that shares the name. The pretty trail leads down Frijoles Canyon to an overlook of Upper Falls. It was easy to follow, and the pocketed cliffs on either side of the canyon combined with the colorful fall leaves were unique and interesting enough for me to be able to avoid thinking about how many people were on the trail. The Frijoles Falls Trails usually continues onward to the Rio Grande, but unfortunately it was closed dur to wash-out past the Upper Falls leading to the Lower Falls, and was completely gone past the Lower Falls, likely requiring serious construction to get it back in shape.

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Starting from the back of the Visitor Center along the Pueblo Loop.
Starting from the back of the Visitor Center along the Pueblo Loop.
A kiva, a room used for ceremonies, etc.
A kiva, a room used for ceremonies, etc.
Along the paved Pueblo Trail, fully signed and great for viewing the dwellings.
Along the paved Pueblo Trail, fully signed and great for viewing the dwellings.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
You can enter some of the pueblos, too.
You can enter some of the pueblos, too.
Image 6 from gallery
View from along the Pueblo Loop back toward the visitor center.
View from along the Pueblo Loop back toward the visitor center.
A fun, paved trail to see some history.
A fun, paved trail to see some history.
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
Long House.
Long House.
Image 12 from gallery
Image 13 from gallery
The far end of the Pueblo Loop.
The far end of the Pueblo Loop.
I continued onward to the Alcove House.
I continued onward to the Alcove House.
Crossing over a creek on the way to Alcove House.
Crossing over a creek on the way to Alcove House.
Image 17 from gallery
Looking up at Alcove House.
Looking up at Alcove House.
Fun ladders/stairs to get to Alcove House.
Fun ladders/stairs to get to Alcove House.
Image 20 from gallery
Image 21 from gallery
Alcove House.
Alcove House.
Back at the junction with the Pueblo Loop, now heading along the Long Trail in order to reach the West Rim Trail. I just wanted to extend the hike a bit and get some views from above.
Back at the junction with the Pueblo Loop, now heading along the Long Trail in order to reach the West Rim Trail. I just wanted to extend the hike a bit and get some views from above.
Heading up to the West Rim Trail.
Heading up to the West Rim Trail.
Image 25 from gallery
View back into the main canyon.
View back into the main canyon.
Image 27 from gallery
West Rim Trail. I headed east along the rim.
West Rim Trail. I headed east along the rim.
Image 29 from gallery
Image 30 from gallery
Image 31 from gallery
Heading back down from the rim by following the West Rim Trail back to the visitor center.
Heading back down from the rim by following the West Rim Trail back to the visitor center.
Image 33 from gallery
After returning to the visitor center, I continued along the Frijoles Falls Trail.
After returning to the visitor center, I continued along the Frijoles Falls Trail.
Very pretty fall colors along the Frijoles Falls Trail.
Very pretty fall colors along the Frijoles Falls Trail.
Looking down into Frijoles Canyon.
Looking down into Frijoles Canyon.
The trail follows the creek closely the whole way down.
The trail follows the creek closely the whole way down.
Cliffs start to appear farther down.
Cliffs start to appear farther down.
It gets cozy feeling, with some plank bridges and narrowing canyon.
It gets cozy feeling, with some plank bridges and narrowing canyon.
Image 40 from gallery
Image 41 from gallery
Looking back, crazy textured cliffs on both sides of the canyon.
Looking back, crazy textured cliffs on both sides of the canyon.
Looking back toward Frijoles Canyon, the way I came down.
Looking back toward Frijoles Canyon, the way I came down.
Upper Falls is just below me on the left, but you can't see it until you get to the overlook.
Upper Falls is just below me on the left, but you can't see it until you get to the overlook.
Close-up into the canyon after Upper Falls (below, not visible).
Close-up into the canyon after Upper Falls (below, not visible).
Frijoles Upper Falls.
Frijoles Upper Falls.
Continuing down to Lower Falls.
Continuing down to Lower Falls.
Image 48 from gallery
Lower Falls, but the trail is totally washed out on the left.
Lower Falls, but the trail is totally washed out on the left.
Lower Friojles Falls.
Lower Friojles Falls.

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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!