Bisti Badlands

One of the best kept secrets of NM is the Bisti Badlands - 30 miles due south of Farmington. Roswell lays claim to otherworld encounters but a hike through the Bisti feels like being on another planet. It's surprising how few New Mexicans know about the Bisti Badlands, yet travelers from all over the world pass through.  Within the last few weeks, hikers from as far as Switzerland and Sweden had registered at the entrance.  I was the only registered hiker on Nov 23^rd.   

Hard to believe this desert use to be under an ocean until the last global warming (oops – ice age receded) 6000 years ago. There are no discernible trails here so it’s pretty much a cross country hike. On several occasions I had to backtrack as I ended up in sections to steep to continue. This time I had the sense to bring my GPS saving me from schlepping around looking for my car at the end of the day.

Petrified tortoises headed to the altar of doom.

Disciples of intelligent design would reinforce their belief after a visit here. What else could explain the seemingly deliberate scattering of dark rocks atop the light sandstone like sprinkles on a cupcake?


This stick looked like a makeshift sundial so i placed rocks at the time of my visit.


Hideous wart or beautiful light green against the red and black backdrop? You decide.
















Proof that i was actually there.



Should you find yourself on the long I40 stretch from Abq to Gallup, their are several casinos to break the manotony. Route 66 casino is the closest to Abq and the nicest looking from the outside.



Having hiked all day and covered in dust, i was reluctant to enter but as you can see, NM gamblers don't feel the need to dress up to match the decorum. To me, all slot machine acreage looks the same.



The 360 bar is...well, round. Very cool design IMO.


My loosely devised plan was to hit one of the 3 or 4 bars in the hotel for a much needed and deserved brew to finish off a day of hiking parched terrain. The 360 and Thunder Road pictured below were cool looking and inviting.....but they were mostly empty! Everyone was glued to a slot machine. No time to relax, sip a drink and socialize when there's money to be made.  I scuttled my plan and saved my thirst for Abq.