Flood damage on the trail to Upper Crossing just beyond Ponderosa Campground due to severe burns above. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

For the first program of its Fire Recovery Series, PEEC will offer an exploratory hike from Ponderosa Campground starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25.

The hike will be led by Terry Foxx and Chris Judson, and will be non-strenuous. 

It is free and open to the public, with no registration required.

This slow meandering walk will focus on observation and discovery of the complexity of the ecosystems of the Pajarito Plateau, and the change that these ecosystems have experienced over the past 200 years.

Foxx and Judson will discuss both the history of fire in the area and ecological recovery from fire.

They will point out changes that have taken place through time from fire, urbanization and climate.

Foxx is a fire ecologist who has studied fire effects for the past 35 years and she will share some of her understanding, findings, and experience. 

Judson works at Bandelier National Monument as an interpretative ranger and has experienced fire first-hand.

Participants should meet at Bandelier Monument’s Ponderosa Campground at 8:30 a.m. on N.M.  4 and wear good walking shoes and bring water. 

For more information, visit www.PajaritoEEC.org, call 662-0460 or e-mail Programs@PajaritoEEC.org.