Chaco Canyon, Etc.

Recently returned from a friend visiting, site-seeing and hang gliding trip through Utah, Colorado and New Mexico and back to Cal. We lucked out and got the only open campsite night for weeks in Arches N.P. on the one day I needed it for the trip out. It's a great place to hang and hike if you can ever get in there. Went on to Glenwood Springs, Boulder and Denver, then to some flying in the Sangre de Christos and the Four Corners area.

A knowledgeable pilot I met there suggested I go to the Chaco Canyon historical site on the way back. He explained that the site had been the center of the southwest indian culture between 800 and about 1250 and though I had been to Mesa Verde previously and seen other ruins in AZ, I had not heard of it. He talked it up enough that I decided I had to go there, despite the fact that it is in the center of the Navajo Nation and the only ways in and out were through 20-something and 30-something mile long terrible dirt roads. At least that made for some open campsites.

It is a very impressive and interesting place. Thousands lived there in its heyday when it was the center of trade and culture in the southwest. Four and five story stone structures were built with sophisticated masonry, also using logs that had to be hauled in from far off forests. Well worth the visit if you have an interest, though it takes commitment to get there.

You can check out some photos here.

 

Awesome pics! We camped at Chaco Canyon a few years back, and popped a tire on our tow vehicle on one of the cattle guards along the dirt road to get there. Didn't stop us one bit from having an amazing time there!

 

Great photos they reminded me how much fun we there a couple of years ago.