The trail heads across the mesa top. At this point, it is flat and open.

One of the grasses you are likely to see is Little Bluestem (Andropogon scoparius). When this plant is growing, it is bluish at the base of the stems, hence the common name. When it dries out, this is what you see.

The views include the San Miguel Mountains, which are the western border of the park. You also get views south, and occasional glimpses of the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east.

As you look across to the mountains, you can see areas which have burned. Years of fire suppression have led to intense fires. As you hike, consider how the landscape will change over the next several years.

Clearly, the park recognizes the view, as they have provided this bench which has a view of the San Miguel Mountains.

The drought and the bark beetle infestation have turned what was previously an evergreen forest into one that looks like a mixed deciduous/evergreen forest in winter.

You cross a road after about a mile of hiking. A sign indicates that the visitor center is 1.2 miles further. Right after crossing the road, the trail begins to head down into a side canyon of the main Frijoles canyon, and then turn the corner into Frijoles itself. You are waling on tuff, which is welded volcanic ash. Sometimes the trail is decomposed tuff, which is like gravel or sand. Other times, you are walking on blocks of tuff, which are carved into steps. Watch out for the steep dropoffs off the side of the trail at times.

The photo to the left is looking up Frijoles canyon after the turn. The rounded mesa-top in the upper right is the end of the Tyuonyi Overlook hike.

When you reach the junction with the ruins trail (GPS: FREYXRUINS), go right. This takes you to the main ruins trail. If you want to head to the visitor center (GPS: BAND VC), when you get to the next junction, go left and you will find yourself there in under half a mile.