Badlands Photo

AH SHI SLE PAH BADLANDS

Formation Name: FRUITLAND

Rock Type(s): Sandstone, Siltstone, Shale, Coal

Geologic Time Period: END OF CRETACEOUS

Time of Deposition (in millions of years ago): 75 to 73

Depositional Environment: wetlands, swamps, river deltas along a sea retreating to the northeast

Common Fossils Found: Petrified wood, crocodiles, turtles, very early mammals, dinosaurs (e.g., Pentaceratops - unique to San Juan Basin- and duck-billed Hadrosaurs)

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Formation Name: KIRTLAND

Rock Type(s): Mostly Siltstone

Geologic Time Period: END OF CRETACEOUS

Time of Deposition (in millions of years ago): 73 to 70

Depositional Environment: wetlands, swamps, river deltas inland from a sea retreating to the northeast

Common Fossils Found: Petrified wood, fish scales, dinosaurs (e.g., T. Rex and last of the sauropods: Allamosaurus)

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One of three San Jaun Basin badlands carved from the 75-70 million year old Fruitland/Kirtland formation, the Ah Shi Sle PahBadlands at first sight resemble the nearby, much larger Bisti Wilderness. Differences in the topography and color schemes soon become apparent. The layout here is more linear with badlands carved into the southeastern wall of a huge dry wash. Deeply penetrating, side channels form complex branching mazes filled with non-stop hoo doos. The subtle color schemes include banded patterns rendered in alternating grey, black, white, tan, light orange, and olive shades. The Ah Shi Sle Pah showcases the most delicate hoo doo cap rocks in any of the San Juan basin badlands. Gently curving and almost paper thin, many appear poised for flight. The area is rich in dinosaur fossils and petrified upright tree stumps.

AH SHI SLE PAH DIRECTIONS — They are best accessed off US 550. Turn west onto County Road 7800 (Navajo 45A) at the Nageezi Trading Post about 46 miles south of Bloomfield or west onto State Highway 57 at Blanco Trading post about 28 miles south of Bloomfield. These two roads both head southwest and converge about 15 miles in, continuing on as State 57 another 3 or 4 miles to the badlands on the north side of the road. There is only one very small, easy to miss BLM boundary marker indicating the two track, half mile route into the parking area.

MORE INFO: Call Recreation Specialists Rich Simmon at the Farmington Area BLM Office—505-599-8900

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A photographic tour of New Mexico’s incredible San Juan Basin Badlands.