Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera CraterNew Mexico: Grants, Ice Cave and Bandera Caldera May 4, 2007. We moved the motorhome to Grants on I-40 where we stopped in the Blue Spruce RV Park $13.50 for 50-amps, water & Cable TV with central dump. Not a fancy place but adequate for what we need and the price was right.
Continental Divide south of Grants New Mexico
We drove over the Continental Divide on SR-53 30-miles south of Grants, New Mexico and only a mile or so south of the Ice Cave and Bandera Caldera.
Old Time Trading Post at the Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
This is the Old Time Trading Post at the Ice Cave and Bandera Crater. This trading post was built in the 1930's along with a saloon and dance hall. At that time, the Zuni Mountain Railroad was operating and the logging industry was in full swing. They kept beer cold using ice from the Ice Cave. In 1946 Dave and Reddy Candelaria arrived and began operations as a tourist attraction. The trading post deals in jewelry, pottery, rugs and other art of local Indian Tribes. While this attraction could easily be part of El Malpais National Monument it is not. It is operated by the 3rd generation of Candelaria's. The family has done a good job of constructing trails and viewing platforms. I think it costs $9 each to walk on the trails leading to Bandera Crater and the Ice Cave. It is worth every penny.
Ristra hanging outside the Old Time Trading Post at the Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
This ristra hanging outside the old trading post caught my eye. Ristras are strings of ripe, bright red, chili peppers. New Mexicans have traditionally harvested and strung red chile peppers into colorful strings called ristras from mid-September until frost. The chile peppers are allowed to dry in New Mexico's warm sun. Then the ristras are stored--still on the ristra string--for use in various tantalizing food dishes during the winter. Chile pepper ristras are made by selecting freshly picked, mature, red chile pods. You only want to use bright red peppers. Red chile pods need to set for two or three days after picking. This allows the stems to lose some of their moisture. In the ristra tying process, stems often break if they are too fresh. Good ventilation is important in the drying process. Ristras are used as colorful decorations throughout New Mexico.
Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
This was an introduction to what we were about to experience.
Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
The Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano is a private business. You can do both for $9 per-person. We did both and enjoyed both of them.
Humming bird feeder at Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
One of many ruby throated hummingbirds visiting the feeder at Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano Trading Post.
Spatter Cone at Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
This is a spatter cone. Spatter cones are formed when minor vents form in the molten lava. A surge of hot air/gasses rushes through the lava forming surface tubes and minor vents. When the hot air/gasses breaks through the surface, lava will splash out forming a type of blow hole that you see here.
Devils playground at Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
Early sheep herders called this area "devil's playground." This lava is very sharp, jagged, and makes good shelter for rattlesnakes. It is treacherous to walk in.
Devils Playground lava Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
A closer look at "devil's playground" lava.
Lava Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater
There is a large area of this type of lava.
Bandera Volcano cinder cone
This is a cross section of the Bandera Volcano cinder cone as viewed from the walking path taking us to the lookout point where we were able to peer down into the caldera. This volcano is a cinder cone and we are walking up the side on a well worn path. This volcano began as the earth started to swell. Eventually, a crack broke open and high pressure lava began spraying out. the molten rock hardened in midair falling back to the ground as cinders. As the eruption continued, the cinder cone got larger and larger. What you see here are small cinders that make up this mountain.
Path up the Bandera Volcano cinder cone
This is the path we were taking to the overlook that allowed us to look down into this volcano's caldera.
Rim of the Bandera Volcano cinder cone
This is the mountain's rim of cinders.
Rim of the Bandera Volcano cinder cone
Another picture of the cinders that make up the cone of this ancient volcano.
Breach in the cinder cone at the Bandera Volcano
This shows where lava burst through the cinder cone and spilled out. Where the lava flowed out created the "devil's playground" as it flowed downhill.
Looking down into the caldera or cinder cone at Bandera Volcano
We finally reached the lookout spot where we could look down into the caldera or cinder cone. As you can see debris falls down the steep sides of the caldera. This is probably one of the finest examples anywhere of a volcanic caldera.
Ice Cave at Bandera Volcano
We are looking down into the ice cave. That green stuff is the ice this ice cave is named for.
Ice in the Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano
This is a close-up of the ice at the bottom of the ice cave.
Ice in the Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano
Another picture of the ice. For some reason it is cold in that ice cave.
Down in the Ice Cave at Bandera Volcano looking up
I took this picture from the observation point down in the ice cave looking up at Joyce who is 1/2 way up the 77-steps down to the ice cave observation point.
Juniper tree growing on lava flow at Bandera Volcano
Juniper tree growing on the lava flow at the Old Time Trading Post Ice Cave and Bandera Crater near Grants New Mexico.
More New Mexico AdventuresSome Exciting Drives** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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