Mesa Verde

Mesa Verde National park is in southwest Colorado. The Ancestral Puebloans (formerly called the Anasazi, but that term wasn't P.C. enough). lived in these cliff houses about 800 years ago. They were primarily farmers but also did some hunting. In addition to building, they were skilled basketweavers and potters.

The three major cliff dwellings, Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Spruce Tree House, are on Chapin Mesa. There is a short walk from the parking area to an overlook that offers excellent views of Cliff Palace. To actually go down to the ruins, you must be on a ranger guided tour (stop at Far View visitor center for more info). Balcony house also requires a tour to visit. You can get a peek at it from Soda Canyon Overlook. Spruce Tree house is near the Museum. A trail will take you down to it. You don't need to be on a tour to visit these ruins.

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Images Copyright 2003, G. Edward Johnson

Cliff Palace
This is the largest of the cliff dwellings. It had well over 100 rooms. The circular rooms are thought to be religious rooms called Kivas. There are regular tours you can take down to the actual ruins.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde N.P., CO

Rooms in the cliff
Here is a corner of cliff palace. some of the wall go to the top of the cave. The wooden beams you see in the tallest of the buildings are original.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde N.P., CO

Buildings against the rock
This row of buildings are built up against the back rock of the cave. You can see where the four story tower was repaired. When this area was discovered, only two of the walls were standing on the top two stories.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde N.P., CO

Balcony house and a tour
It is hard to get a good view of balcony house from the trail. It is a long distance from the overlook. The best way to see it is on one of the tours. You can see the road at the top of the picture.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Soda Canyon Overlook, Mesa Verde N.P., CO

Inside a Kiva
This Kiva has been rebuilt to be as close to the original as possible. The hole in the back let air in for the fire and the smoke would go out the hole in the top where the ladder is.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde N.P., CO

Wall of buildings.
The back of this cave has been built floor to ceiling with a 2 two 3 story building.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Spruce Tree House, Mesa Verde N.P., CO

Spruce Canyon Trail
Spruce Canyon trail takes you by Spruce tree house, then it continues down the canyon and loops back around. It is a good hike. Toward the end, you can see where a recent fire has left parts of the area charred.
Date: September 14, 2003
Location: Spruce Canyon Trail, Mesa Verde N.P., CO