A voluptuous, young, Hollywood starlet was enjoying an 'al naturel' drive on a Southwestern road in her drop top BMW when she saw a roadside area with a traditional but elderly looking native American gentleman selling blankets and various souvenirs.
She thought she would give the old Buck a thrill and pulled up alongside the Indian without covering her ample assets... "Hey-ya Chief" purred the Vixen pushing her sunglasses to atop of her blond locks. The bemused Indian replied, "Chance!" Confused, the starlet inquired, "I thought you Indians always said HOW..." to which the Chief replied, "Know how, want chance" I heard this tale from my grandfather many, many years ago and always remembered it. Grandad had a way of spinning a story with such detail that you always felt you were there, and you could picture the scene. I offer the above anecdote as a way to introduce our recent day-trip to Sitting Bull Falls Recreational Area in the Lincoln National Forrest.
Sitting Bull Falls is under the auspices of and maintained by the US Department of Agricultural Forrest Service. Established in the early 1940s by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) and dedicated in 1999. Fed by springs above, the falls 'cascade' down the 150' rock face into serene, crystal-clear pools below the bluff. Located Southwest of Carlsbad, NM and about 50 miles from The Ranch - SKP Co-Op. This day use area has an honor system entrance fee of $10 per car. Fortunately, we visited on Juneteenth and the entrance fee was waved.
The area has numerous picnic shelters and a restroom with flush toilets. The picnic shelters have been well maintained, constructed by the CCC and are a stone and timber work of art. There are several hiking trails of moderate difficulty to areas above the falls.
The easy walk to the Falls proper is a paved accessible path to a viewing platform below the falls. I understand this site is very popular in hot weather and gets crowded quickly... There is an adequate parking area at the entrance, but I would suggest scheduling your visit earlier in the day. The volume of water over the falls was very low and somewhat disappointing however, the formation was interesting. I would make a recommendation for a visit if in the area or staying at The Ranch.
We stayed at The Ranch SKP Co-Op for a couple of days. Being mid June, the place was mostly vacant and the temperatures were well over a hundred degrees most afternoons. The Ranch is on the Nothern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert in Lakeside, NM off of Route 285, 40 miles North of Carlsbad. 16 miles South of the beautiful town of Artesia where you can easily resupply.
"We Travel, Some of Us Forever, We Seek Other States, Other Lives, Other Souls"
- Anais Nin
