2020 Map of Frijoles

About this map

Bandelier National Monument and the Manhattan Project National Historical Park converge in this high-desert landscape, documenting a profound intersection of ancient history and 20th-century science. The geography is defined by a series of dramatic volcanic plateaus including Pajarito Mesa, Twomile Mesa, and Mesita del Buey, all deeply incised by canyons that drain toward White Rock Canyon. Within these canyon walls lie significant archaeological sites, most notably the Tyuonyi Ruins and the Alcove House along the Rito de los Frijoles. These features, alongside the Stone Lions, provide a detailed look at the ancestral Puebloan footprint in the region. To the north, the scientific legacy of the mid-century era is mapped through infrastructure like Pajarito Rd and the Perimeter road, which cordoned off the secretive laboratory operations. This survey illustrates how the rugged terrain of the Santa Fe National Forest served as both a cultural sanctuary and a strategic stronghold.