Daily Postcard: View of Falls Trail at Bandelier National Monument Monday. It’s a beautiful time of the year to hike the Falls Trail at Bandelier. Excellent snowmelt has Frijoles Creek running strong and surging over the falls. Spring flowers, like Golden Smoke and Alumroot, are beginning to bloom. This hike starts just a short distance from the park visitor center. Passing tent rocks and the remnants of an ancient channel of the Rio Grande, the trail descends 400 feet over its 1.5-mile length one way. The path is rocky with drop offs, so keep children close. Sturdy hiking shoes and walking sticks are recommended. A wide-brimmed hat and well-applied sunscreen are also essential, although this trail offers some well-shaded areas for rest stops. Source: BNM. Courtesy/NPS