The Bisti Badlands are an eroded landscape of layered and variously colored clays, siltstones, and sandstones. The clays harden when dry, are soaked through and virtually anaerobic when wet, and as a result support almost no plant life. An odd and confusing land.

The badlands, 4/30/06.

Badlands, 4/30/06. The surface in the foreground is the same brittle sandstone as the red on the hilltops.

Looking west at the Chuska Mountains from the edge of the badlands, 4/30/06.

Badlands, 4/30/06.

Badlands, 4/30/06. The sandstone on the hilltops is the most hospital habitat for plants in the badlands; and so we have some stunted grass.