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Bandelier National MonumentReconstruction of an ancestral pueblo home
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Bandelier National Monument
Natural Features & Ecosystems
Upper Falls
Photo by Sally King
Frijoles Creek drops over two waterfalls on its way to the Rio Grande.

A PLACE OF DIVERSITY

Frijoles Creek begins on the snowy slopes of the 10,199-foot-high Cerro Grande Peak.  Carving its way down through the Pajarito Plateau for over fourteen miles before entering the winding Rio Grande, Frijoles Creek drops about 4,000 feet.  This dramatic change in elevation on the Pajarito Plateau creates climate differences that support a wide diversity of life.  This diversity made the area livable for the Ancestral Pueblo people, providing them with food, medicine, clothing, and supplies.

Western Pygmy Blue butterfly  

Did You Know?
Western Pygmy Blue butterflies are the smallest butterflies in North America. They have wingspans of just .5 to .6 inches.

Last Updated: November 13, 2007 at 11:07 EST