To celebrate the shortest day of the year, and to take advantage of a natural phenomenon, the National Park Service recently announced three days of Winter Solstice walks at Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico.
The Winter Solstice Walks will take place in front of the visitor’s center in Frijoles Canyon 7:15 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. Dec. 20-22, according to a Dec. 10 news release.
“Even though the winter solstice occurs Dec. 21, the sunrise and sunset will line up with a sun petroglyph in Frijoles Canyon on all three days. It’s quite a spectacular thing to see,” Bandelier Superintendent Patrick Suddath said in the release.
Multiple walking sessions are scheduled because the program has grown in popularity over the years. That popularity, while resulting in more start times, also means people should RSVP in advance. Those wishing to attend should call the visitor’s center at 505-672-3861, Ext. 0, to save a spot, the release reported.
The park is open dawn to dusk every day, except for Christmas, according to its website.
