Climbing The Ladder at Bandelier National Monument
June 2021
Bandelier National Monument, A Quiet Wonder
We arrived at Bandelier National Monument around 9:00 AM and had no trouble parking near the visitor center, which was a relief. We were so glad we bought the $2 paper trail guide at the entrance. It was well worth it to help us understand the numbered markers along the Main Loop Trail, explaining how the Ancestral Pueblo people lived here over 11,000 years ago.
The trail winds along the canyon floor, surrounded by beautiful Ponderosa pines and steep cliffs composed of volcanic tuff, a pinkish rock with natural holes. I even climbed one of the shorter wooden ladders into a cavate, one of the small rooms carved right into the rock, to peek inside and see how the Native Americans once lived.
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Then, we walked further up the canyon to the Alcove House. Looking up at the four steep, exposed ladders and stone stairs going up 140 feet above the canyon floor, I immediately felt anxious about the height and precarious climb. The warning signs reinforced my uneasiness, so I decided not to go up. Hubby went up while I happily waited on a bench in the shade of the trees, listening to the surroundings.
After he returned, he said I had absolutely made the right decision. He told me some people up there were afraid to continue the climb up or down due to the steep, narrow ladders. I truly believe I would have felt stuck with fear so high above the canyon floor and unable to descend using those ladders. I have had that paralyzing fear of heights twice in my life and don’t want to experience that feeling again, so I am honoring my limits.
However, I was still glad we visited Bandelier. It is an amazing place with its cliff dwellings, tall trees, the desert vegetation, and all the busy insects and animals thriving in the canyon. Best of all, it lacked those overwhelming crowds we’ve experienced in the more famous National Parks. It felt peaceful, quiet, and completely unique.