tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40301689928310035642024-03-13T08:32:48.835-07:00Four Corners Hikes-Canyons of the AncientsTrails visiting Ancestral Pueblo Ruins in the canyon country along the southern Utah-Colorado border. Includes the remote sites of Hovenweep National Monument, the relatively well known Sand Canyon Trail system, and many wild hikes to little known hidden sites. Notes and Pictures. Hike for fitness and environmental awareness.Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-56096907040066574422013-02-07T08:53:00.002-08:002013-02-08T06:25:59.597-08:00Hovenweep Towers in Little Ruin Canyon <br />
The <b>Little Ruin Canyon Trail</b> is a 2 mile loop mostly along the rim of a small canyon that visits at least 10 centuries old Ancestral Pueblo Ruins sites that show a variety of building shapes. The trailhead is located at the Headquarters of <b>Hovenweep National Monument </b>along the remote southern Utah-Colorado border.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyDpiKk6OdA/URPTorjuF1I/AAAAAAAAMNY/GntlZAbeh9Q/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MyDpiKk6OdA/URPTorjuF1I/AAAAAAAAMNY/GntlZAbeh9Q/s640/IMG_1778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The sign near the Headquarters also calls this the<b> Square Tower Trail</b>. Among the interesting details of the Little Ruin Canyon group is the placement of the doors and windows.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7GgbIx8p-0/SXjFitk3UeI/AAAAAAAADlI/2PQHK-3qINk/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7GgbIx8p-0/SXjFitk3UeI/AAAAAAAADlI/2PQHK-3qINk/s400/IMG_0482.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Besides the Little Ruins Trail there are four outlying sites with trails in the vicinity of the Hovenweep headquarters and numerous other un-publicized sites that are part of the surrounding Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.<br />
<br />
Following the trail counter clockwise, the <b>Stronghold House</b> is named for its fortress like structure. The stone blocks are thought to be very well shaped. Stronghold House has more details visible when viewed from across the canyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwGMr_2LFt4/SXjFiQp6_CI/AAAAAAAADlA/mIlbRwDMfoE/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mwGMr_2LFt4/SXjFiQp6_CI/AAAAAAAADlA/mIlbRwDMfoE/s400/IMG_1661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The<b> Eroded Boulder House</b> uses both the inside of a boulder below the rim and also has some remains on top. Binoculars are handy for viewing the Eroded Boulder. If you visit more of the sites in the area, you will see other examples of structures perched on boulders. The Holly Ruins Group, about 4 miles north has several structures perched on boulders.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv-adTOZFgc/SXjFiEw1TJI/AAAAAAAADk4/QWcipk4b6ek/s1600/IMG_1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sv-adTOZFgc/SXjFiEw1TJI/AAAAAAAADk4/QWcipk4b6ek/s400/IMG_1662.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b>Unit Type House</b> is an example of a basic unit of living rooms, storage rooms and a circular Kiva. The larger pueblos repeat this unit into a larger collection of structures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd76GgY2moE/URPWTs4dzEI/AAAAAAAAMNg/zsSYxSYK8A4/s1600/IMG_1783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qd76GgY2moE/URPWTs4dzEI/AAAAAAAAMNg/zsSYxSYK8A4/s640/IMG_1783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The porthole openings on the east side of Unit Type House may have been used as a <b>Skywatcher </b>observation point. This is also an example of a doorway that is placed in a difficult location, over a drop-off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ls1LVcxRALo/SXjEDTfDjdI/AAAAAAAADkw/w7h5qypzQKo/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ls1LVcxRALo/SXjEDTfDjdI/AAAAAAAADkw/w7h5qypzQKo/s400/IMG_1665.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are two heads to the Little Ruin Canyon. Between the heads a trail leads out to <b>Tower Point </b>where a tower sits with a commanding view of the canyon and Sleeping Ute Mountain to the east. The alcove areas below Tower Point were used for storage of corn, beans, and squash. There the remnants of an unnamed tower visible just below Tower Point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz2j9cTNbNY/SXjEC-d2geI/AAAAAAAADko/EQVtU1U_TFw/s1600/IMG_1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xz2j9cTNbNY/SXjEC-d2geI/AAAAAAAADko/EQVtU1U_TFw/s400/IMG_1670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Hovenweep Castle</b> has two D-shaped towers and appears to be the largest in the area. There is a lot of speculation as to why towers were built. Some of the possibilities are celestial observation, ceremonial, defense, storage and communication with the other towers. There is a lot of rubble below the Hovenweep Castle indicating that there was a lot more here than we see now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-238k_MGY09I/SN-B65NzfII/AAAAAAAACGU/Bj9iD6qvIxE/s1600/IMG_4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-238k_MGY09I/SN-B65NzfII/AAAAAAAACGU/Bj9iD6qvIxE/s640/IMG_4193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Hovenweep Castle has an upper story <b>T-shaped doorway</b> that is visible from both the east and west sides.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXq_X6gOa1I/URPZta4jbKI/AAAAAAAAMNo/Lo2Oi2z2-jA/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXq_X6gOa1I/URPZta4jbKI/AAAAAAAAMNo/Lo2Oi2z2-jA/s400/IMG_1669.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Hovenweep House </b>was the center of one of the largest villages in this group. There is a lot of rubble in this area. This structure has survived due to a good foundation while the other structures have crumbled.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSBrZNXrnM0/URPaILMXgnI/AAAAAAAAMNw/yYF1SodY1no/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zSBrZNXrnM0/URPaILMXgnI/AAAAAAAAMNw/yYF1SodY1no/s400/IMG_1805.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Hovenweep Castle and Hovenweep House overlook the <b>Square Tower</b> down in the relatively lush canyon bottom. The Square Tower has a slight twist as it rises above the creek bottom. From the south rim, a <b>T-shaped doorway</b> is visible. The spring that supported the community is down in the canyon in this area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bW5nAQ1Jb-A/URPab4_2xlI/AAAAAAAAMN4/uGA0b6qqUjQ/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bW5nAQ1Jb-A/URPab4_2xlI/AAAAAAAAMN4/uGA0b6qqUjQ/s400/IMG_1673.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Rim Rock House</b> is not thought to be a residence structure. The trail guide has a discussion of why are there so many peepholes in these structures. A practical use might be ventilation and light, but these aren’t seen at other sites around the region. Below Rim Rock House the Round Tower is visible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUbrcQAzRtY/RzucydBns8I/AAAAAAAAAMs/7ufnAQS86hw/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUbrcQAzRtY/RzucydBns8I/AAAAAAAAAMs/7ufnAQS86hw/s400/IMG_1674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b>Twin Towers</b> had 16 rooms with one tower oval and the other horseshoe shaped. These are thought to be two of the most carefully constructed structures in the Southwest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWUBXmYuC2Y/SXjECH8ivQI/AAAAAAAADkY/3gb7Pn36Zlc/s1600/IMG_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pWUBXmYuC2Y/SXjECH8ivQI/AAAAAAAADkY/3gb7Pn36Zlc/s640/IMG_1675.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In the distance to the left is another view of Tower Point. The east tower has another example of a doorway in a precarious location.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYK__vZ5rFI/URPawVqHrvI/AAAAAAAAMOA/3SZWf9foez0/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dYK__vZ5rFI/URPawVqHrvI/AAAAAAAAMOA/3SZWf9foez0/s400/IMG_1812.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The west tower has both a lower and upper story doorway. At the open end of the canyon the trail dips steeply down to the floor and then returns to the rim. It takes 1:00 hour or more to walk this rich trail.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.361;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802464098;pid=MH008%253A718%253AKHAKI;usg=AFHzDLtgSyF_j6LrVU6K6_VFnZaOfnzyIg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Ftilley-outback-hat;pubid=537325;price=%2479.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+Outb...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magellans.com%2Fmedia%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fm%2Fh%2Fmh008_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B7012802.5939;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802464032;pid=6A57-10-57;usg=AFHzDLs-TBab54__6s8wK3u0Kfu0xZ2S-A;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.orvis.com%252Fstore%252Fproduct.aspx%253Fpf_id%253D6A57%2526cm_mmc%253DFroogle*Prod_feeds*Prod_feeds*12082;pubid=537325;price=%2439.00;title=ExOfficio%C2%AE+Chipara%E2%84%A2+Wo...;merc=Orvis;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orvis.com%2Forvis_assets%2Fprodimg%2F6A572Wblk.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.366;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802464098;pid=MH767%253A678%253AKHAKI;usg=AFHzDLvOZ0F0cQQ_d6OHhuYXvfnSmcjHmw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Fwesternstyle-tilley-hat;pubid=537325;price=%2484.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+West...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magellans.com%2Fmedia%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fm%2Fh%2Fmh767_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.2149;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463511;pid=674206;usg=AFHzDLuQdtoe77TjMlULfzJGJXnCa0LRyw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524892657065%2526pfx%253Dpfx_shopcompare%2526cid%253Dshopping3;pubid=537325;price=%2444.95;title=Casio+Stainless+Steel+...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F674206%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.2150;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463511;pid=620073;usg=AFHzDLuKxeLQf6PAoGG_UwOMpo_mh-LmDg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524892618021%2526pfx%253Dpfx_shopcompare%2526cid%253Dshopping3;pubid=537325;price=%2464.94;title=Casio+Lap+And+Distance...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F620073%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.2155;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463511;pid=255661;usg=AFHzDLt2rlxUBAlnV55EmfvZBtiWuQ4cbg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524880403899%2526pfx%253Dpfx_shopcompare%2526cid%253Dshopping3;pubid=537325;price=%24199.94;title=Pulsar+Titanium+Carbon...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F255661%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00341RVZY&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-33061950069412664182012-12-30T07:31:00.001-08:002013-02-07T06:34:40.771-08:00Ancient Skywatchers at Hovenweep Castle <br />
The <b>Little Ruins Canyon Trail </b>is a 2.0 mile loop at <b>Hovenweep National Monument</b> on the south Utah-Colorado border. The trail visits at least 10 ruins structures built by Ancestral Pueblo People who lived here until about 1300 AD.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLhOdziwXyY/SN-B6iOcyDI/AAAAAAAACGM/22l7J5_ihjs/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLhOdziwXyY/SN-B6iOcyDI/AAAAAAAACGM/22l7J5_ihjs/s640/IMG_0492.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The trail begins a short distance from the visitor center and follows around the rim of this east and west lying canyon, dipping into and crossing the canyon at the east end. The <b>Hovenweep Castle</b> is near the west end at the southern most of the two canyon heads.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-238k_MGY09I/SN-B65NzfII/AAAAAAAACGU/Bj9iD6qvIxE/s1600/IMG_4193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-238k_MGY09I/SN-B65NzfII/AAAAAAAACGU/Bj9iD6qvIxE/s400/IMG_4193.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The trail guide says there are two D shaped towers. The terrain on the canyon rim is very dry, with sage brush and a few scattered Utah Juniper trees. The stonework at the Hovenweep sites is considered to be very good and to show a variety of styles and shapes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0G2WiaZes2E/SN9_s-Kn4cI/AAAAAAAACFs/f0TUmEHSoqI/s1600/IMG_4195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0G2WiaZes2E/SN9_s-Kn4cI/AAAAAAAACFs/f0TUmEHSoqI/s400/IMG_4195.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
These structures have some T-shaped doorways, a feature seen on many of the Ancestral Pueblo sites all around the region, including at Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon. Some of the smaller holes are thought to be related to <b>observations of the sun.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Y8s-Jw5x4/SN-B6nLPoTI/AAAAAAAACGE/KycTc4Yu9kQ/s1600/IMG_4199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Y8s-Jw5x4/SN-B6nLPoTI/AAAAAAAACGE/KycTc4Yu9kQ/s400/IMG_4199.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The port holes that are thought to be related to sky watching are on the first story of the west side. The port hole to the right of the west side is thought to be related to the setting sun summer solstice and the port hole around the corner to the right relates to the winter solstice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww_FDgF8XYo/UOBeFMVzrpI/AAAAAAAAMKg/0zWnrbTkNNk/s1600/IMG_4199a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww_FDgF8XYo/UOBeFMVzrpI/AAAAAAAAMKg/0zWnrbTkNNk/s640/IMG_4199a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The interior of Hovenweep Castle is closed, so visitors can’t observe the beams of light themselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RKquKr9pds/URO7DpYeyKI/AAAAAAAAMMs/Im9yx3ebwAg/s1600/IMG_1796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RKquKr9pds/URO7DpYeyKI/AAAAAAAAMMs/Im9yx3ebwAg/s400/IMG_1796.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Many of the Hovenweep structures have portholes so the solar observations seem like they must have been noticed after construction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTt27o9qLts/URO7JmqRtHI/AAAAAAAAMM0/ZxHvm8LGcVQ/s1600/IMG_1785a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PTt27o9qLts/URO7JmqRtHI/AAAAAAAAMM0/ZxHvm8LGcVQ/s640/IMG_1785a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Unit Type House</b> on the north rim also has some portholes on the east side that catch the rising sun rays on the solstices.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv62SxRoors/SN9_s1HUg9I/AAAAAAAACF0/liVhtl1U5sA/s1600/IMG_4194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vv62SxRoors/SN9_s1HUg9I/AAAAAAAACF0/liVhtl1U5sA/s400/IMG_4194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Below the canyon rim where Hovenweep Castle sits is the <b>Square Tower</b>. The area at the canyon bottom is greener due to the seep springs and has plants, like the large Hackberry trees, that are not growing on the canyon rim.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc0rKIfdhBY/SN9_tHTSDWI/AAAAAAAACF8/o3gqV-Q3gh0/s1600/IMG_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mc0rKIfdhBY/SN9_tHTSDWI/AAAAAAAACF8/o3gqV-Q3gh0/s400/IMG_4201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Square Tower shows a<b> slight spiral, twisting slightly</b> in a clockwise direction. The trail guide indicates that the spiral shape was for added strength or aesthetics. The guide also says there is a circular kiva associated with the tower. The location of the Square Tower near the spring may be to protect it. This practice of protecting the water resources appears to be common at the Hovenweep sites.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.828;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463717;pid=89588RBR;usg=AFHzDLtKhvkOF91oJxZfCKrvbUo6lueaVw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fmaui-jim-island-time-polarized-glass-sunglasses.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24229.00;title=Maui+Jim+Island+Time+P...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F89588%2F89588_rbr.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.840;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463717;pid=86385BLKS;usg=AFHzDLvN0ntZ8DWXUdHlmEUm3fKEZyyZHA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Foakley-flak-jacket-polarized-sunglasses.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24195.00;title=Oakley+Flak+Jacket+Pol...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F86385%2F86385_blk.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.841;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463717;pid=86210GUN;usg=AFHzDLt79ZIv5zUrwqgDVd-yKYIfA0Kj9Q;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fray-ban-polarized-aviator-sunglasses.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24149.97;title=Ray-Ban+Polarized+Avia...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F86210%2F86210_gun.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0937407062&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0016RO7UA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-41822611792620952382012-12-28T06:38:00.004-08:002013-01-03T13:10:15.580-08:00Turkeys of the Ancients<br />
One of the minor displays at the <b>Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado </b>discusses the importance of <b>turkeys</b> to the Ancestral Pueblo people that lived in the Four Corners region.<br />
<br />
Turkeys, along with dogs, were the only domesticated animals kept. It is thought that domestication began around 800 AD, though wild turkeys had been captured and used before. Turkeys were important as a source of food, feathers, and a source of bone tools.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmWPL9NxiaQ/UH9zs79HIbI/AAAAAAAAL64/cr2bnxnQiLc/s1600/IMG_1215b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vmWPL9NxiaQ/UH9zs79HIbI/AAAAAAAAL64/cr2bnxnQiLc/s640/IMG_1215b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The wild turkey that currently lives in the region is called<b> Merriam’s Wild Turkey</b> and is a sub species of the well known Wild Turkey. Male turkeys can reach a length of 48 inches and weigh 18 pounds. The typical habitat is the Ponderosa Pine forests that are mixed with Aspens down to the Gambel Oak forest that blends into the Pinon Pine and Junipers.<br />
<br />
They naturally eat pine nuts, acorns, green vegetation, and insects, particularly grasshoppers in summer. The interpretive information at the parks often says that the Ancestral Puebloans <b>fed the turkeys with corn</b> until they started to run out of corn and then the turkey remains disappeared from the trash mounds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKiU60X7qT8/UN2s3BTGwGI/AAAAAAAAMIw/qt4aQDOZ6k8/s1600/IMG_1720a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKiU60X7qT8/UN2s3BTGwGI/AAAAAAAAMIw/qt4aQDOZ6k8/s400/IMG_1720a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The drawer display has several examples of bone tools made from the turkey skeleton.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAoTq14NHz4/UN2s6EtGxPI/AAAAAAAAMI4/gY1XkYgY4_E/s1600/IMG_1799a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAoTq14NHz4/UN2s6EtGxPI/AAAAAAAAMI4/gY1XkYgY4_E/s640/IMG_1799a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Turkeys appear occasionally in the rock art </b>of the region. This Barrier style image was part of the Sacred Images exhibit at the Anasazi Heritage Center in 2011. The text with this picture only says it is from the western Colorado River drainage. It isn't one of the images on the Horseshoe Canyon Trail in Canyonlands.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-likLJca3Tlc/UIH4FhwuPmI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/jaPhQVHmLXE/s1600/IMG_1312a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-likLJca3Tlc/UIH4FhwuPmI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/jaPhQVHmLXE/s400/IMG_1312a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are <b>turkey track petroglyphs</b> in the Canyons of the Ancients. This image is near the Big Spring Pueblo and Hovenweep Canyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eG-8elpSZ2g/UOXzisnAlGI/AAAAAAAAMLY/m6f-MbxMHu8/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eG-8elpSZ2g/UOXzisnAlGI/AAAAAAAAMLY/m6f-MbxMHu8/s400/IMG_1731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Turkey track images appear also on pottery.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMIPQg7CHGI/UOXy-7GxVvI/AAAAAAAAMLA/itTsFT6PpAU/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMIPQg7CHGI/UOXy-7GxVvI/AAAAAAAAMLA/itTsFT6PpAU/s400/IMG_1726.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The turkey feathers were used to make <b>robes, blankets and socks</b>. There is a replica of a turkey feather robe at the Anasazi Heritage Center.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCDrSJaai7M/UOXzDO65ikI/AAAAAAAAMLI/oLYj3Ze5C-4/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WCDrSJaai7M/UOXzDO65ikI/AAAAAAAAMLI/oLYj3Ze5C-4/s400/IMG_1730.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The feathers were split down the middle and wrapped around yucca cords. By 1100 AD feather wrapping was more common than fur, perhaps because the materials were easier to obtain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPcmN44zdmE/UN2uhbu0RyI/AAAAAAAAMJg/gA3lsnzNoRM/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPcmN44zdmE/UN2uhbu0RyI/AAAAAAAAMJg/gA3lsnzNoRM/s400/IMG_3296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On Wetherill Mesa at Mesa Verde, the <b>Two Raven House</b> on the Badger House Trail features evidence for a fence that partially encloses the plaza. One of the possible explanations for the fence was to keep turkeys in or out of the village. One of the ruins sites along the Kane Gulch Trail in Grand Gulch, Utah is known as the Turkey Pen Ruin.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.453;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=43750WC;usg=AFHzDLscXM0Np4Mo-l7lv50Xw1gC_QnEtg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fpentax-8-5-x-21-papilio-butterfly-series-binocular.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24109.95;title=Pentax+8.5+x+21+Papili...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F43750.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.455;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=46473WEIXL;usg=AFHzDLt7EJqnrnVVTnqys6NjxEu0375Adw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fnorth-face-men-39-s-outbound-convertible-pants-30.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2469.98;title=The+North+Face+Outboun...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fcloth%2F46473%2F46473_wei.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.454;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=46475WEIXXL;usg=AFHzDLsvUAm4B90K2o4yI9OpshUxjOri5Q;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fnorth-face-men-39-s-outbound-convertible-pants-32.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2469.98;title=The+North+Face+Outboun...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fcloth%2F46475%2F46475_wei.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.457;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=21836;usg=AFHzDLsP0iei8fvE620ZJ7ZJXPOBERFO-A;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsuunto-woodsman-a-30l-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2415.97;title=Suunto+Woodsman+A-30L+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F21836.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.98;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=155836208;usg=AFHzDLtKpGkeunFAFc_s0ytH0chx6WJASA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252Fmf%252F21129626%252Fvintage-hiking_tshirt%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--007--155836208%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D93;pubid=537325;price=%2422.50;title=Vintage+Hiking+T-Shirt;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F155836208_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.105;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=262823797;usg=AFHzDLuH2FbfwJkljOeMLN4qseBQGAegSg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252Fmf%252F27743334%252Ftheres-no-crying-in-hiking_tshirt%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--152--262823797%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D93;pubid=537325;price=%2426.50;title=Theres+No+Crying+In+Hi...;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F262823797_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0937407062&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_Travelation: More flights. Lowest price, guaranteed with no booking fees" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-47973448705816486052012-12-05T09:08:00.003-08:002013-01-03T17:43:24.181-08:00Ancient Skywatchers Exhibit at the Anasazi Heritage CenterBeginning November 23, 2012 and extending to April 2013, the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado is hosting the <b>Ancient Skywatchers of the Southwest Exhibit</b>.<br />
<br />
Images by photographer <b>John Ninnemann</b> show how the Ancestral Pueblo people that lived in the Four Corners area prior to the arrival of European American settlers had an advanced understanding of the paths of the sun and moon. This knowledge was important in the timing of crop planting and ceremonial events.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--od9chOij4A/TRaZ4TaZ8vI/AAAAAAAAHzo/OVIFlfi27Es/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--od9chOij4A/TRaZ4TaZ8vI/AAAAAAAAHzo/OVIFlfi27Es/s400/IMG_0149.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Along the first wall when entering the exhibit there are displays on the moon and the sun and images from <b>Mesa Verde National Park</b>. The Mesa Verde images emphasize a particular view point marked by a small pecked basin that is south of the famous Cliff Palace. From this pecked basin the sun sets directly over the <b>Sun Temple on the Winter Solstice</b>. I don’t think the pecked basin is pointed out on the normal Cliff Palace tours, or maybe it off the trail and not visible.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sun Temple is easy to visit site on the self guiding Mesa Top Tour at Mesa Verde. The trail guide points out that there is a <b>natural
rock basin in the southwestern corner</b> that Jesse Walter Fewkes speculated was a
solar marker. No evidence of roof material was found at the Sun Temple, leading
the conclusion that the structure was unfinished.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVtVkZI49Sk/SehtLWo-4-I/AAAAAAAAD50/luu9NgXeuzs/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CVtVkZI49Sk/SehtLWo-4-I/AAAAAAAAD50/luu9NgXeuzs/s640/060.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A four story tower on the south end of the Cliff Palace alcove has some artwork visible on the interior. If you aren't in a hurry at the end of the tour, you can usually wait in line to lean into a small doorway and look up.<br />
<br />
The older trail guides for Cliff Palace describe these images as decorative but the Skywatchers Exhibit suggests that these may represent a <b>record of observations of the moon</b>. The exhibit has a close up picture of the artwork that gives a better view than a visitor can see on the tour.<br />
<br />
The guided tours of Cliff Palace are usually offered from April to November. In the winter season, there are good view points from the Sun Temple and the Cliff Palace trailhead.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeAGm0Zr6fE/SN4qIEUFTHI/AAAAAAAACFk/RBPLYU5AsTw/s1600/IMG_4189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QeAGm0Zr6fE/SN4qIEUFTHI/AAAAAAAACFk/RBPLYU5AsTw/s640/IMG_4189.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The second long wall has displays of <b>Hovenweep National Monument</b> and <b>Yucca House National</b> <b>Monument</b>. The Holly Ruins Group is one of the outlying Hovenweep sites and is located about 4 miles north of the Hovenweep Visitor Center. At the south end of the Holly Group there is an overlook of a petroglyph panel that is thought to mark the summer solstice.<br />
<br />
On the summer solstice there is a dagger of sunlight that crosses a set of concentric circles. The exhibit has a good close up picture of the sun dagger crossing the concentric circles. The Holly Group is somewhat remote but is easy to visit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6USspXyu5c0/SGDrVFP42mI/AAAAAAAABbo/3fe3snyhoVw/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6USspXyu5c0/SGDrVFP42mI/AAAAAAAABbo/3fe3snyhoVw/s400/IMG_3056.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yucca House National Monument is a large unexcavated ruins site located south of Cortez, CO between Mesa Verde and <b>Sleeping Ute Mountain</b>. The sun at winter solstice appears to set on top of the toe of the Sleeping Ute when viewed from the upper Great House. The Yucca House site is easy to visit but doesn't get much publicity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5gZTd3NUMw/UL965k05USI/AAAAAAAAMF8/8maLXiDxfZc/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G5gZTd3NUMw/UL965k05USI/AAAAAAAAMF8/8maLXiDxfZc/s400/IMG_1627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Pictures of <b>Chaco Canyon</b> in northwest New Mexico take up the third wall of the exhibit. Chaco Canyon has many examples of knowledge of the heavens. On the <b>Penasco Blanco Trail </b>there are pictographs that are thought to depict the Supernova of 1054 AD. There are several nearly exact north and south alignments at Pueblo Bonito and Casa Rinconda.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OPvR2cnXfCo/UL97ryl55FI/AAAAAAAAMGI/relBeew4Nwc/s1600/IMG_9707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OPvR2cnXfCo/UL97ryl55FI/AAAAAAAAMGI/relBeew4Nwc/s400/IMG_9707.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Fajada Butte</b> is probably the most prominent archaeoastronomy site in the Chaco Canyon Park. Visitors can only view it from the distance but interpretive signs point out that there are three boulder slabs directing sunlight onto petroglyphs that mark the solstices and equinoxes. There are good elevated views of Fajada Butte from the <b>Chaco Canyon Overlook Trail</b> at the Gallo Campground.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge_dx1SaZ4s/UN8aPpK3VdI/AAAAAAAAMKA/seoj9YfDGao/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge_dx1SaZ4s/UN8aPpK3VdI/AAAAAAAAMKA/seoj9YfDGao/s640/IMG_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Anasazi Heritage Center has more information than is obvious at first glance. In the main gallery there is a table with four computers. One of the computers focuses on Chaco Canyon and the greater Chaco community. Part of the computer display discusses the Fajada Butte solar site and includes more Skywatcher pictures and discussion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xwZh0YOdGw/UL98aXXraXI/AAAAAAAAMGQ/RAsZCOLafyQ/s1600/IMG_1632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2xwZh0YOdGw/UL98aXXraXI/AAAAAAAAMGQ/RAsZCOLafyQ/s400/IMG_1632.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The fourth outer wall of the Exhibit features Skywatcher sites from the <b>Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge</b> area of southeast Utah. The set of four images shows the sun rising close to the summer solstice along the cliffs north of the San Juan River. Other images show some of the many alcove sites in the Cedar Mesa area. The Cedar Mesa area has many interesting trails but they are mostly unpublicized.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwDtae6eWvk/SKWK4mKX_CI/AAAAAAAABx8/FQiI8LzE1ZE/s1600/IMG_3767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwDtae6eWvk/SKWK4mKX_CI/AAAAAAAABx8/FQiI8LzE1ZE/s640/IMG_3767.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The center of the exhibit floor features <b>Chimney Rock</b>, the Yellow Jacket Pueblo, and the V-Bar Ranch. Chimney Rock between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs, CO has been elevated to National Monument Status in 2012. There are two short trails at Chimney Rock with the <b>Great House Pueblo Trail</b> appearing to be closely associated with the <b>Lunar Standstill.</b> The largest north and south difference between where the moon rises during its monthly cycle occurs on a regular 18.61 year cycle that is known as the Lunar Standstill.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-GtFMwnigc/SKrGocKuhyI/AAAAAAAABz4/EgxFJ7xTdhI/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-GtFMwnigc/SKrGocKuhyI/AAAAAAAABz4/EgxFJ7xTdhI/s400/IMG_3774.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a large Great House ruins site with a good view of the Chimney Rocks. This is an unusual high elevation location for a large structure and there doesn't seem to be any reason for it to be here except for these Skywatcher observations. This is an easy site to visit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH5MW9DEjSI/UBaAT-bL0wI/AAAAAAAALZc/zfyryWnp7KY/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH5MW9DEjSI/UBaAT-bL0wI/AAAAAAAALZc/zfyryWnp7KY/s400/IMG_0171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Yellow Jacket Pueblo</b> is the largest known ruins site in the Mesa Verde region. Tours of the Yellow Jacket Pueblo are offered usually three times per year during the summer months. The tours are publicized and arranged at the Anasazi Heritage Center.<br />
<br />
One of the interesting features of the tour is the <b>solar monument</b> that appears to line up with the Lizard Head formation in the San Miguel Mountains that are near Telluride.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY5tmecSvbI/UL9-825_4mI/AAAAAAAAMGY/sdcGH5pzyRw/s1600/IMG_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY5tmecSvbI/UL9-825_4mI/AAAAAAAAMGY/sdcGH5pzyRw/s400/IMG_1633.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b>V-Bar V Ranch</b> is near Sedona, Arizona has a petroglyph site with 1032 glyphs on 13 panels. It is believed that part of the petroglyph site is a solar calendar that would have aided the agricultural activity in the area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kowiG0azVxA/TeJQlsYkMgI/AAAAAAAAIjQ/nM5yskG3kWU/s1600/IMG_2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kowiG0azVxA/TeJQlsYkMgI/AAAAAAAAIjQ/nM5yskG3kWU/s640/IMG_2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Not included in the exhibit, but part of greater Mesa Verde is the <b>Mancos Canyon area of Ute Mountain</b> <b>Tribal Park</b>. There is a special <b>Sun Calendar Tour</b>, usually offered in late May that visits several monuments and petroglyph panels that are also thought to be related to the Ancient Skywatchers.<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.390;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=43751WC;usg=AFHzDLu3KMvK-I9HzeWkxIelqkWqdflCDw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fpentax-8-16-x-21-ucf-ii-zoom-binocular.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24139.99;title=Pentax+8+-16+x+21+UCF+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F43751.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.391;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=85808;usg=AFHzDLv_Qubg6h39i50KDS2v-oFU8Z9Wxg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbubi-scrunchable-water-bottle.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2424.98;title=Bubi+Scrunchable+Water...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F85808.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.121;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000102871;pid=MH008%253A714%253AKHAKI;usg=AFHzDLtqQlmiaVrtWi4ypW3zl5l3uX2uXQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Fstore%252FClothing___Men___Hats__Belts___AccessoriesMH008;pubid=537325;price=%2479.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+Outb...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.magellans.com%2Fmitcus%2FImages%2Fproducts%2Flarge%2FMH008_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.388;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=87099GRA;usg=AFHzDLt_DC5IvohszoI3y0bIdl3SfoRGSA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsilva-guide-426-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2419.98;title=Silva+Guide+426+Compas...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F87099%2F87099_gra.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.389;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=60743;usg=AFHzDLvQJM8ebYi7CcXcIvInRIZEvIKwdA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbrunton-classic-8040g-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2424.98;title=Brunton+Classic+8040G+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F60743.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-40060212506452050332012-11-03T07:17:00.001-07:002012-11-08T12:45:16.193-08:00Bridge Canyon South of Holly Ruins <br />
The Holly Ruins Group is one of the outlying sites of <b>Hovenweep National Monument </b>in southwest Colorado. The rough road leading to the Holly and Horseshoe Units appears on the <b>Canyons of the Ancients </b>map as Road 4721 and is about 5 miles north of the Hovenweep Visitor Center along County Road 10.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DeHoRlqvSjs/UJUiKUgmxOI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/NpVFtBSnbdk/s1600/IMG_1498a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DeHoRlqvSjs/UJUiKUgmxOI/AAAAAAAAMBQ/NpVFtBSnbdk/s400/IMG_1498a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A short distance south of the Holly Ruins there is a junction with BLM Road 4723 turning south and Road 4721 continues southeast. Road 4723 is marked as closed to motorized vehicles. I started near this junction and followed Road 4723 along the mesa top area between Bridge Canyon on the east and Keeley Canyon on the west.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEZin4K1Pos/UJUitb227AI/AAAAAAAAMBY/B-tZBDXl-b8/s1600/IMG_1502a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vEZin4K1Pos/UJUitb227AI/AAAAAAAAMBY/B-tZBDXl-b8/s400/IMG_1502a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The road follows closely along the west rim of Bridge Canyon. After about 0:20 minutes of hiking I saw a <b>small rubble pile</b> near the rim. This site doesn't look like much but there are some pottery shards here so it is probably something.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO2GpiVc3kw/UJUjrr4ERzI/AAAAAAAAMBg/S55ihBJskhw/s1600/IMG_1505a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FO2GpiVc3kw/UJUjrr4ERzI/AAAAAAAAMBg/S55ihBJskhw/s400/IMG_1505a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The mesa top area between Bridge and Keeley Canyons is a broad rolling field of sage brush. One can imagine that this was once a broad farming area used by the residents of the nearby Holly and Hackberry sites. At a few points along the trail the Headquarters for Hovenweep Monument is visible, with even the Hovenweep Castle visible despite being about 3 miles away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzoWf00s_I8/UJUkK72b2xI/AAAAAAAAMBs/A-X4CbThJpQ/s1600/IMG_1513a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzoWf00s_I8/UJUkK72b2xI/AAAAAAAAMBs/A-X4CbThJpQ/s640/IMG_1513a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
About 2 miles south there was a rocky boulder area that looked like a good location but I didn't see any ruins structures there. There were good views down Bridge Canyon toward the Cannonball Mesa Area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RNQ76Pi0zA/UJUlK9kz-5I/AAAAAAAAMB0/OdKk3XI97l4/s1600/IMG_1518a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7RNQ76Pi0zA/UJUlK9kz-5I/AAAAAAAAMB0/OdKk3XI97l4/s400/IMG_1518a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The road appears to continue for at least another mile. I turned around here after 1:30 hours. There is good visibility here and I didn't see any other ruins sites in the distance. From here I walked back northwest through the sagebrush fields toward a ruins site that was closer to the Keeley Canyon side of the mesa top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4tyllrfdWs/UJUlt2Hx_0I/AAAAAAAAMB8/GMDCXJaLZws/s1600/IMG_1525a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4tyllrfdWs/UJUlt2Hx_0I/AAAAAAAAMB8/GMDCXJaLZws/s640/IMG_1525a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From my turnaround point it took 0:45 minutes to arrive at this site. There appears to be a circular rubble pile around a depression with an odd stack of neatly piled stones. Some of the towers of the Holly site are visible across Keeley Canyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPnLMu2fsNk/UJUmiImpHJI/AAAAAAAAMCI/P-gWc0IQGJ8/s1600/IMG_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPnLMu2fsNk/UJUmiImpHJI/AAAAAAAAMCI/P-gWc0IQGJ8/s400/IMG_1528.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The stack of building stones acts a marker that makes this site more visible from a distance. I have noticed other tall rock cairns in this area but they didn't seem to be associated with ruins sites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks1BDrEjgPc/UJUnJJKpOJI/AAAAAAAAMCQ/7SmEJVlOiCQ/s1600/IMG_1531a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ks1BDrEjgPc/UJUnJJKpOJI/AAAAAAAAMCQ/7SmEJVlOiCQ/s400/IMG_1531a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From this ruins site it took 0:30 minutes to return to the junction of roads 4721 and 4723. Along the way, there were across the canyon views of the Holly Ruins towers. My total hike took 3:00 hours for about 4 miles. I hiked on a 66 F degree early November day and carried 3 liters of water.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.729;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=90047GRE;usg=AFHzDLt8OSJJgo-yDbYRWFw0Be_f6pE1gw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fvictorinox-swiss-army-soldier-knife.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2450.99;title=Victorinox+Swiss+Army+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fknives%2F90047%2F90047_gre.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.735;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=89914YEL;usg=AFHzDLtRGWkN1qPrWZIs9B3tC8HTdivVNA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fvictorinox-swiss-army-knife-rescue-tool.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2476.98;title=Victorinox+Swiss+Army+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F89914%2F89914_yel.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.730;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=82851WC;usg=AFHzDLtixKrl7qqMbbOiseeCZw3WHdCoqA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fhiker-first-aid-kit.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2429.98;title=Campmor+Hiker+First+Ai...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F82851.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675805.1213;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028007181;pid=LFLN153;usg=AFHzDLvb-YMkWzEKYmNm2silNBNLAql0GA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.sportsrecreationmall.com%252Flfln153.html;pubid=537325;price=%2448.59;title=LifeLine+First+Aid+Pro...;merc=Sports+and+Recreation+Mall;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg309%2Flfln153.gif;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.143;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000102871;pid=MH008%253A758%253AOLIVE;usg=AFHzDLt9uofCcm5j8zP77B2MAje4J5ZU0w;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Ftilley-outback-hat;pubid=537325;price=%2479.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+Outb...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.magellans.com%2Fmedia%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct%2Fm%2Fh%2Fmh008_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B7012802.5931;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000102848;pid=6A57-10-57;usg=AFHzDLsKg8dMSmdgssZhGUUSKbbiMAH07w;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.orvis.com%252Fstore%252Fproduct.aspx%253Fpf_id%253D6A57%2526cm_mmc%253DFroogle*Prod_feeds*Prod_feeds*12082;pubid=537325;price=%2439.00;title=ExOfficio%C2%AE+Chipara%E2%84%A2+Wo...;merc=Orvis;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orvis.com%2Forvis_assets%2Fprodimg%2F6A572Wblk.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0JY&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00186YU4M&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-43024277440317899472012-10-19T18:14:00.001-07:002012-12-17T15:00:07.388-08:00Hovenweep Canyon NW of Painted Hand Pueblo<br />
The trailhead for the 0.75 mile<b> Painted Hand Pueblo Trail</b> is about one mile down the marked bumpy dirt road that is about 10 miles north of the Visitor Center for Hovenweep National Monument along County Road 10.<br />
<br />
This area is west of Pleasant View in southwest Colorado and close to the border with Utah. The trail to the outlying Cutthroat Castle Pueblo is about 0.5 miles further along the same road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qpLHFg4mXoM/UIHz5tMWyDI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/xNVCx_bnafw/s1600/IMG_1290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qpLHFg4mXoM/UIHz5tMWyDI/AAAAAAAAL7Y/xNVCx_bnafw/s400/IMG_1290.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The first segment of trail to the Painted Hand Pueblo is along the west rim of <b>Hovenweep Canyon</b>. On this hike, I continued much further along the rim well past the Painted Hand site. About 0:15 minutes further there is a boulder based ruins site visible below the rim.<br />
<br />
On the Hovenweep Canyon floor there is a trail that appears on the <b>Canyons of the Ancients</b> map as <b>Road</b> <b>4531f </b>and it is open for hikers, horses, and bicycles. The two side canyons on the east side in this area both have medium sized Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zb5fksG1gs/UIH0iVbFGZI/AAAAAAAAL7k/smP-5d4IiRQ/s1600/IMG_1295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zb5fksG1gs/UIH0iVbFGZI/AAAAAAAAL7k/smP-5d4IiRQ/s400/IMG_1295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After about 1.5 miles, there is a side canyon where I had to descend to the floor to avoid private property that is close to the canyon rim. In this area, the canyon floor has some charred trees but is otherwise grassy. Near the head of this side canyon I noticed a large white sandstone rock outcrop that looked like it had some alcoves and I climbed back up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkWHawRLxqo/UIH1Z4aCd6I/AAAAAAAAL7s/88JdXYohLTI/s1600/IMG_1301a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MkWHawRLxqo/UIH1Z4aCd6I/AAAAAAAAL7s/88JdXYohLTI/s400/IMG_1301a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This rock outcrop looked like a good location and I saw some pottery shards here, but I didn't see anything that looked like a ruins structure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSv-VWHicOY/UIH1vFIr8_I/AAAAAAAAL70/FYDvYADPtuk/s1600/IMG_1310a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSv-VWHicOY/UIH1vFIr8_I/AAAAAAAAL70/FYDvYADPtuk/s640/IMG_1310a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Continuing on for about 1.5 more miles I arrived at a very scenic lookout point. A rock positioned on the point was directed at the LaPlata Mountains, visible faintly in the distance to the east. This is probably a rarely visited point and this rock has probably been in this position for a long time. It certainly looks like it could be a <b>solar observation point.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZzKPz42ejk/UIH2TY5nt7I/AAAAAAAAL8A/MIvAygCraf4/s1600/IMG_1308b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZzKPz42ejk/UIH2TY5nt7I/AAAAAAAAL8A/MIvAygCraf4/s400/IMG_1308b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From this same view point, it looks like there is an<b> isolated tower</b> further north on the canyon floor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpfeMg98a9U/UIH24lJ7O7I/AAAAAAAAL8I/0epHcCq0U08/s1600/IMG_1307a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpfeMg98a9U/UIH24lJ7O7I/AAAAAAAAL8I/0epHcCq0U08/s640/IMG_1307a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking to the west up a side canyon, there is an obvious large ruins site, overgrown with sagebrush about 0.5 miles away. The cottonwood trees indicate there is water in the side canyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-likLJca3Tlc/UIH4FhwuPmI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/jaPhQVHmLXE/s1600/IMG_1312a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-likLJca3Tlc/UIH4FhwuPmI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/jaPhQVHmLXE/s400/IMG_1312a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As I was resting and enjoying the view, I was surprised by two other local hikers accompanied by seven friendly dogs. These hikers knew that below this point, there were some <b>turkey track petroglyphs</b> and other markings that resemble the rock sharpening grooves that are often seen near ruins sites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FuIWyT21Bo/UIH4UMmzQDI/AAAAAAAAL8Y/ZZ7iLD66OXM/s1600/IMG_1322a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--FuIWyT21Bo/UIH4UMmzQDI/AAAAAAAAL8Y/ZZ7iLD66OXM/s400/IMG_1322a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From the lookout point it took about 0:20 minutes to reach the large rubble pile ruins site. The site is at the head of the side canyon and is divided by one of the arms at the head into two parts. The rubble piles are very large but I didn't see that much was still intact.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvypQ549Yvs/UIH48UlOxbI/AAAAAAAAL8k/bso3RmssTW8/s1600/IMG_1333a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AvypQ549Yvs/UIH48UlOxbI/AAAAAAAAL8k/bso3RmssTW8/s640/IMG_1333a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The hikers that I met said that this is known as the <b>Big Spring Pueblo</b> site. I saw a surveying cap marker that had the number 5MT 7088.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqDxSEfKL_U/UIH5momb2EI/AAAAAAAAL8s/KxL4p7QwxC0/s1600/IMG_1318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IqDxSEfKL_U/UIH5momb2EI/AAAAAAAAL8s/KxL4p7QwxC0/s400/IMG_1318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From the ruins site I followed a cow trail down the side canyon, through a sagebrush field, to the main Hovenweep Canyon. This cow trail eventually connected with the main 4531f trail before it turns east toward Negro Canyon. So it is possible to walk on trails nearly all the way to the Big Spring site. The trail junction is faint but visible if you are looking carefully for it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O9Nu66wrVE/UIH6MjTG53I/AAAAAAAAL80/DqBa9Q0-44I/s1600/IMG_1343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1O9Nu66wrVE/UIH6MjTG53I/AAAAAAAAL80/DqBa9Q0-44I/s400/IMG_1343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
My return hike took 2:00 hours. I had to find a random place to climb back to the west rim before arriving at the Painted Hand site. The other option would be to continue the easy walking on 4531f to the Cutthroat Castle Trailhead. My total hike took 5:00 hours for about 7 miles. I hiked on a 60 F degree mid October day and carried 3 liters of water.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.375;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=21836;usg=AFHzDLsP0iei8fvE620ZJ7ZJXPOBERFO-A;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsuunto-woodsman-a-30l-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2415.97;title=Suunto+Woodsman+A-30L+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F21836.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.378;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=87099GRA;usg=AFHzDLt_DC5IvohszoI3y0bIdl3SfoRGSA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsilva-guide-426-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2419.98;title=Silva+Guide+426+Compas...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F87099%2F87099_gra.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.376;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=60743;usg=AFHzDLvQJM8ebYi7CcXcIvInRIZEvIKwdA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbrunton-classic-8040g-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2424.98;title=Brunton+Classic+8040G+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F60743.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-34075657046275309642012-09-29T17:22:00.003-07:002012-09-29T17:25:36.338-07:00Negro Canyon South of Painted Hand Pueblo <br />
The Upper Trailhead for the Hovenweep Cutthroat Castle Trail can be used as a starting point for a hike to the<b> west rim of Negro Canyon</b>. This area is about 10 miles north of the Hovenweep Visitor Center along County Road 10 near the southwest Colorado and Utah border.<br />
<br />
An old road that is labeled on the Canyons of the Ancients map as <b>4531f</b> descends into Hovenweep Canyon and heads north.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwWi4gYIQrs/UGeJyqO4LYI/AAAAAAAALyk/od-mMpMokAE/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwWi4gYIQrs/UGeJyqO4LYI/AAAAAAAALyk/od-mMpMokAE/s400/IMG_0982.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As the road passes below the <b>Painted Hand Pueblo</b> ruins site, there is a side trail that climbs to the mesa top area between Hovenweep and Negro Canyons. It took me about 1:00 hour to arrive at the mesa top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLRYTaHGsoc/UGeKbqlPkYI/AAAAAAAALys/n8TR1XP3dow/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oLRYTaHGsoc/UGeKbqlPkYI/AAAAAAAALys/n8TR1XP3dow/s400/IMG_0990.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Along the canyon floor of the west side of Negro Canyon, there are at least three rubble pile ruins sites and there is also part of a circular tower on a ledge of the cliffs. (Use the <b>Negro Canyon labels</b> for views of these sites.) On this hike I turned south and walked along the west rim of Negro Canyon. From this area, some of the power lines and gas plants on Mockingbird Mesa to the east can be sighted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yCB9Gc7m_Y/UGeLijxk0aI/AAAAAAAALy4/yQAC32ya7WQ/s1600/IMG_0996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yCB9Gc7m_Y/UGeLijxk0aI/AAAAAAAALy4/yQAC32ya7WQ/s640/IMG_0996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
About 1 mile to the south there is a dog leg knife edge area leading to a sky island formation. These rocky points with good views are sometimes likely locations for ruins sites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7g2QayXm5I/UGeMD1Y_xRI/AAAAAAAALzA/lNNDjffGHZ0/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j7g2QayXm5I/UGeMD1Y_xRI/AAAAAAAALzA/lNNDjffGHZ0/s400/IMG_1006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At the elbow of the dogleg, it looked like there was a <b>boulder based ruins</b> site in the area below the rim. I didn't notice any ruins sites in this area up to this point. I didn't walk out to the tip of the sky island. To get to the boulder below I had to backtrack to a low point along the knife edge to avoid the steep cliffs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPONkuy5hRI/UGeOFg8EoSI/AAAAAAAALzU/dCzTwkunXfQ/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPONkuy5hRI/UGeOFg8EoSI/AAAAAAAALzU/dCzTwkunXfQ/s640/IMG_1013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It took me about 0:30 minutes to arrive at the boulder from the rocky point above. There was a small amount of rubble visible on two levels of this pair of boulders. I was 2:50 hours into my hike when I arrived at this site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOj9emz7Abg/UGeNO8ERbjI/AAAAAAAALzI/vcHKvbh8GCQ/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOj9emz7Abg/UGeNO8ERbjI/AAAAAAAALzI/vcHKvbh8GCQ/s400/IMG_1023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the east side, there was a short <b>low wall of large boulders</b> that form a small plaza. The creek bottom of Negro Canyon near this site has several Cottonwood trees growing, suggesting that there is some local water in this otherwise dry area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSKyhJuFBzg/UGeO78YZT7I/AAAAAAAALzc/eOwdGI_XjMU/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSKyhJuFBzg/UGeO78YZT7I/AAAAAAAALzc/eOwdGI_XjMU/s400/IMG_1026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It appeared that much of the rubble has fallen on the north side between the two boulders. These building stones appear to be more thin and flat than most of the ruins sites in the Canyons of the Ancients.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1sO5bc5R34/UGeQkmkytnI/AAAAAAAALzw/JO8_xQ-0S1c/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t1sO5bc5R34/UGeQkmkytnI/AAAAAAAALzw/JO8_xQ-0S1c/s400/IMG_1033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From this ruins site is a 5 minute walk east to the road that appears on the Canyons of the Ancients map as 4532. This road connects to the bicycle loop that passes by the Hackberry and Holly sites, so it is possible to bike to this site but not drive. It is difficult to pick this site out from the road. I followed road 4532 back north and then turned west and climbed back to the Negro Canyon mesa top and then returned the way I came on Road 4531f.<br />
<br />
My return hike took 2:50 hours for a total hike of 6:00 hours for about 9 miles. I hiked on a 76 F degree late September day and carried 3 liters of water.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.1388;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000342669;pid=674206;usg=AFHzDLs1Hrae02o9FpTpM2NlGoDk1c5x_Q;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524892657065%2526mr%253AtrackingCode%253DA9AD1868-1094-DF11-811C-0019B9C043EB%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%2433.70;title=Casio+Stainless+Steel+...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F674206%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.1389;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000342669;pid=495400;usg=AFHzDLvDw0wOJDTt1EF1vPSEMzzrZwkICw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524892519028%2526mr%253AtrackingCode%253D881198F9-D87E-DF11-BC8B-0019B9C043EB%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%2487.50;title=Croton+Stainless+Steel...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F495400%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.652;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=83959BER;usg=AFHzDLu26R6xi9jtF2WxT7wGCZLuIeMPPA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Ftimex-ironman-triathlon-50-lap-sleek-midsize-sports-watch.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2439.99;title=Timex+Ironman+Triathlo...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fwatches%2F83959%2F83959_ber.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675805.595;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028007181;pid=CW44775;usg=AFHzDLvqGehe86luffWZHYYKm7Of-kmJZQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.technooutlet.com%252Fcw44775.html%253Fmr%253AtrackingCode%253D30C31E8D-01B1-E111-A0DB-001B21BCC0BC%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%24537.97;title=Garmin+GPSMAP+62sc+Han...;merc=Techno+Outlet+Site;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg305%2Fcw44775.gif;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675805.598;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028007181;pid=CW38058;usg=AFHzDLu7dRRGTvIzrWQSEbkYda900siUJg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.technooutlet.com%252Fcw38058.html%253Fmr%253AtrackingCode%253D384F5C38-52C5-DF11-907B-002219318F67%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%24399.98;title=Garmin+010-00697-40+3%22...;merc=Techno+Outlet+Site;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg095%2Fcw38058.gif;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6675805.599;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028007181;pid=CW43536;usg=AFHzDLsUPJS1Lp52nfMpH0qYmUgS4EmWRw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.technooutlet.com%252Fcw43536.html%253Fmr%253AtrackingCode%253DA1D19DC2-44DB-E011-AC9E-001B2163195C%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%24605.86;title=Garmin+010-00924-00+Ga...;merc=Techno+Outlet+Site;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fsite.unbeatablesale.com%2Fimg232%2Fcw43536.gif;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-6014187204954096812012-09-27T06:14:00.001-07:002012-10-27T07:38:15.878-07:00Negro Canyon near NW Mockingbird Mesa <br />
<b>Mockingbird Mesa</b> is located 7.2 miles south along County Road 12 from the junction with Road BB to a left turn. Continuing past this turn for 0.9 miles and turning left it is 1.3 more miles to a locked gate and the west side of the upper part of <b>Negro Canyon</b>.<br />
<br />
This is the south end of the road labeled 4531a on the <b>Canyons of the Ancients</b> park map. This area is west of Pleasant View in southwest Colorado.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G71Gm2PBlIY/UGRLu4_m_uI/AAAAAAAALxI/_WV7NXDVuus/s1600/IMG_0949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G71Gm2PBlIY/UGRLu4_m_uI/AAAAAAAALxI/_WV7NXDVuus/s640/IMG_0949.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The only direction to hike at this point is to the west. There is a cleared swath of Pinon Pine and Juniper forest along a carbon dioxide pipeline. There is also an east and west fence close to the pipeline route. I followed the pipeline route west, crossing several minor drainages that appear to be side canyons of Negro Canyon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6w8esWtMQk/UGRMT7PZYxI/AAAAAAAALxU/KOSkswuruuw/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6w8esWtMQk/UGRMT7PZYxI/AAAAAAAALxU/KOSkswuruuw/s400/IMG_0951.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After about 1.2 miles and 1:00 hour of slow walking I arrived at the minor dirt road that leads to the private Hovenweep Ranch. I had wandered off the pipeline route to look at the heads of the minor drainages in this area but didn't notice anything interesting.<br />
<br />
The east and west fence along the north side of the Hovenweep Ranch is the same fence that is visible near my starting point and I decided to follow it back. There is a vague cow trail most of the way along the fence.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7tVvDF6F3o/UGRNZSQbGwI/AAAAAAAALxc/dkGvqQfCh7U/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m7tVvDF6F3o/UGRNZSQbGwI/AAAAAAAALxc/dkGvqQfCh7U/s400/IMG_0953.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A short distance back east along the fence, there is a semi-circular rubble pile visible. This site is somewhat vague as a structure but there are many pottery shards visible scattered near the rubble.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-UUFblFuWY/UGROE0EOGRI/AAAAAAAALxo/1nYlcGkKhyk/s1600/IMG_0962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y-UUFblFuWY/UGROE0EOGRI/AAAAAAAALxo/1nYlcGkKhyk/s640/IMG_0962.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the pottery shards was rectangular shaped and had a <b>hole drilled into it</b>. The area museums have displays of shards similar to this and they identify these as<b> pendants</b>. This is the first shard like this that I have noticed in the field. ( It is still there).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHpoXqC9z5Q/UGRPDwhaNrI/AAAAAAAALxw/DrPa1Ec_4A0/s1600/IMG_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHpoXqC9z5Q/UGRPDwhaNrI/AAAAAAAALxw/DrPa1Ec_4A0/s400/IMG_0970.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Continuing along the fence and crossing the low point of this drainage, then climbing up the east slope, there is another small ruins site with a small rubble pile and some large stones piled on a boulder.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdZdgpeuiJM/UGRPyWx0a9I/AAAAAAAALx8/vPV4twYF1Yg/s1600/IMG_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdZdgpeuiJM/UGRPyWx0a9I/AAAAAAAALx8/vPV4twYF1Yg/s640/IMG_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This same site also had a large semi-circular structure that had higher walls and a deeper depression in front of it than the previous site . This structure might be a full circle, but the south side wasn’t as obvious as the north side.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4jL27KnPjE/UGRQw6BuM6I/AAAAAAAALyE/mS9UFz_c31E/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4jL27KnPjE/UGRQw6BuM6I/AAAAAAAALyE/mS9UFz_c31E/s400/IMG_0978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This site also had many pottery shards. From this site it was about 0:30 minutes to return to the starting point. My total hike took 2:20 hours for about 2.5 miles. I hiked on a 66 F degree late September day.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534756.165;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028505128;pid=NOO1010;usg=AFHzDLvwjyz_Vs4pc7RcJxmegSQyGB34Kw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wayfair.com%252FNight-Owl-Optics-NexGen-5x50mm-Binoculars-NOB5X-L3569-K%257ENOO1010.html;pubid=537325;price=%24517.95;title=%22NexGen+5x50mm+Binocul...;merc=Wayfair;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommon1.csnimages.com%2Flf%2F49%2Fhash%2F6216%2F2112401%2F1%2F1.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534945.267;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005617196;pid=8085516;usg=AFHzDLsW8BwU1jU72RbySF2KhOvQTUM4vw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.finishline.com%252Fstore%252Fcatalog%252Fproduct.jsp%253FproductId%253Dprod695762%2526GARMIN%253D%2526003%253D17163257%2526010%253D695762;pubid=537325;price=%24199.99;title=GARMIN+Forerunner+210+...;merc=Finish+Line;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.finishline.com%2Fstore%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fxl01000863034.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002EOULAE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802319588&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="532497_120 x 90 Starting Salary $42k. Group 1" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802319588&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_Travelation: More flights. Lowest price, guaranteed with no booking fees" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-92224832577437496592012-09-15T14:30:00.001-07:002012-09-15T14:48:59.289-07:00Hovenweep Canyon near Mockingbird Mesa 2 <br />
The <b>Mockingbird Mesa</b> area in the Canyons of the Ancients is south on County Road 12 from the junction with County Road BB for 7.2 miles and make a left turn at a BLM road junction. This area is west of Pleasant View, in southwest Colorado.<br />
<br />
Staying to the right at the Mockingbird junction and right at the next junction for 1.5 miles arrives at a carbon dioxide plant near the east rim of the upper part of <b>Hovenweep Canyon</b>. There is a south leading dirt road trail before the gas plant that also leads into this area. On the Canyons of the Ancients map this road segment is 4531d, but I didn’t notice if it was marked in the field.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQXZzID8ow/UFTrFD_FyjI/AAAAAAAALq4/g3x0ew7IEOc/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuQXZzID8ow/UFTrFD_FyjI/AAAAAAAALq4/g3x0ew7IEOc/s640/IMG_0784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Walking west from the gas plant out to a point overlooking Hovenweep Canyon, there is a sagebrush canyon floor with a road that leads to a drill site. My hiking goal was to walk along the canyon rim and arrive at the canyon floor near the drill site, then look around the canyon floor area.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nenJKkAfFZ8/UFTrrioPDaI/AAAAAAAALrA/N3mtIuOB2Zk/s1600/IMG_0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nenJKkAfFZ8/UFTrrioPDaI/AAAAAAAALrA/N3mtIuOB2Zk/s400/IMG_0789.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are two large and interesting <b>ruins sites</b> in the side canyon area to the east of the rim where I was walking. (Use the label “Hovenweep Canyon near Mockingbird” for more views.) On this hike I was trying look further down the canyon beyond these sites.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Bz0bYxysQ/UFTs_vWhDTI/AAAAAAAALrM/lbGiwaj38ek/s1600/IMG_0792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-Bz0bYxysQ/UFTs_vWhDTI/AAAAAAAALrM/lbGiwaj38ek/s400/IMG_0792.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Below the large ruins site and close to the rim, there is a<b> large circular site</b>. This looks like a large kiva but it the only structure in the immediate area, not part of a village as far as I could see. The large site is nearby, but higher along the slope.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZI0xyk6mts/UFTtpFkN_KI/AAAAAAAALrU/kSH5Tr8WrW8/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZI0xyk6mts/UFTtpFkN_KI/AAAAAAAALrU/kSH5Tr8WrW8/s400/IMG_0798.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I arrived at the <b>canyon bottom</b> in a narrow area with some large boulders on the west side. There was a cow trail to follow as I turned back toward the north. It took me 2:15 hours to arrive here after mostly slow walking with a lot of scanning with binoculars. This is about 2 miles south of where I started. There is a cleared area pipeline route that crosses Hovenweep Canyon in this vicinity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ChhDatMnZjE/UFTum_902oI/AAAAAAAALrg/yIVadyigu2w/s1600/IMG_0804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ChhDatMnZjE/UFTum_902oI/AAAAAAAALrg/yIVadyigu2w/s400/IMG_0804.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Passing by drill site, there is an operating pump at the well and a rubble pile ruins site is visible on the cliff above. I didn’t try to climb up but it looks like a small lookout point site.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BD11aYkDPC4/UFTvRhbaAjI/AAAAAAAALro/F2HJc4ptt1c/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BD11aYkDPC4/UFTvRhbaAjI/AAAAAAAALro/F2HJc4ptt1c/s640/IMG_0808.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
To the west of the drill site, across the sagebrush canyon floor, I could see two<b> side by side boulders</b> with some rubble on top. There is a deep eroded wash to cross and I had to look around for several minutes to find a reasonable place to cross. The sagebrush here is also very tall, thick and difficult to walk through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iR8ONvRsDw/UFTwcuXp5BI/AAAAAAAALr0/jOyfeYi97Pw/s1600/IMG_0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1iR8ONvRsDw/UFTwcuXp5BI/AAAAAAAALr0/jOyfeYi97Pw/s400/IMG_0811.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a lot of rubble between the two boulders, both on the front side and behind. This appears to be a small site also, and it has a line of sight with the site across the canyon floor near the well site. This location is at a junction with a side canyon to the west of the main Hovenweep Canyon.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9aGa-GvcCkk/UFTxETUXXLI/AAAAAAAALr8/MGQ-wyYlZTQ/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9aGa-GvcCkk/UFTxETUXXLI/AAAAAAAALr8/MGQ-wyYlZTQ/s400/IMG_0823.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Continuing north along the west canyon floor, I noticed that there were many scattered pottery shards both in the Pinon Pine and Juniper forest and in the sagebrush field areas close to the canyon wall. I noticed one piece of red pottery. The area museums say that red ware was a product of Utah and Arizona and any found near the Mesa Verde area would have been traded in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8pHfQCNyPs/UFTyLJoOjZI/AAAAAAAALsI/iz1cLHpgDzo/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8pHfQCNyPs/UFTyLJoOjZI/AAAAAAAALsI/iz1cLHpgDzo/s400/IMG_0831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the east side of the canyon floor there is another pair of boulders with rubble on top and scattered at the base. This site is about halfway from the starting point to the end of the road and is visible from the rim area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPuAOh_zj9g/UFTy2nUmzbI/AAAAAAAALsQ/oJ77cP_haRw/s1600/IMG_0827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KPuAOh_zj9g/UFTy2nUmzbI/AAAAAAAALsQ/oJ77cP_haRw/s640/IMG_0827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From this site it looked relatively easy to climb back to the mesa top. This point is slightly south of the large ruins site that overlooks the side canyon to the east. From here it took me 1:00 hour to return to my starting point. My total hike took 5:00 hours for about 5 miles. It was a 68 F degree mid September day and I carried and drank 3 liters of water.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.583;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=43750WC;usg=AFHzDLscXM0Np4Mo-l7lv50Xw1gC_QnEtg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fpentax-8-5-x-21-papilio-butterfly-series-binocular.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24109.95;title=Pentax+8.5+x+21+Papili...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F43750.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534756.1023;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028505128;pid=NIK1136;usg=AFHzDLtA97OsEsOYIZMUnBvV__hW2mDSyA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wayfair.com%252FNikon-Action-8x40-Binoculars-NIK7216-L2042-K%257ENIK1136.html;pubid=537325;price=%2490.98;title=%22Action+8x40+Binoculars%22;merc=Wayfair;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommon1.csnimages.com%2Flf%2F49%2Fhash%2F3792%2F356342%2F1%2F1.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br /></div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.497;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=45637DUN14;usg=AFHzDLsaK9oVUBb-XT_rnrX_r1PU9eKUQg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fnorth-face-paramount-valley-convertible-women-39-s-pants-32-34.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2459.97;title=The+North+Face+Paramou...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fcloth%2F45637%2F45637_dun.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.498;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=46473WEIXL;usg=AFHzDLt7EJqnrnVVTnqys6NjxEu0375Adw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fnorth-face-men-39-s-outbound-convertible-pants-30.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2469.98;title=The+North+Face+Outboun...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fcloth%2F46473%2F46473_wei.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002EOULAE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-68250967889668326752012-08-26T11:15:00.002-07:002012-08-26T22:43:04.676-07:00Lower Yellow Jacket Canyon at Ismay <br />
The <b>Yellow Jacket Canyon</b> makes a junction with McElmo Canyon 26 miles west of Cortez along County Road G near the border of Colorado and Utah. Yellow Jacket Canyon Road is a rough trail that turns north at the old Ismay Trading Post along the west flank of Cannonball Mesa. This area is the southwest corner of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud4FJHApVbQ/UDpiU9cEdqI/AAAAAAAALiY/Il3qF5cMQ9E/s1600/IMG_0531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ud4FJHApVbQ/UDpiU9cEdqI/AAAAAAAALiY/Il3qF5cMQ9E/s400/IMG_0531.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There is an unpublicized ruins site with petroglyphs only 0.2 miles along the rough road. About 0.1 mile past the ruins site there is a side road that leads left toward the Yellow Jacket Creek.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bV2G-kXBr_Y/UDpi1PPWl3I/AAAAAAAALig/xHx_bWhDOvc/s1600/IMG_0490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bV2G-kXBr_Y/UDpi1PPWl3I/AAAAAAAALig/xHx_bWhDOvc/s400/IMG_0490.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The side road cuts through the thick Willow, Cottonwood and Tamarisk riparian habitat along the creek to an easy hiker <b>crossing point</b>. In late August there was about 1 foot depth of water and a fairly swift flow. There was a surprising amount of water here considering how dry the surrounding landscape is and that 2012 has been a relatively dry year. I carried river sandals to make this crossing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVtOX3U8k9g/UDpkOMxwhgI/AAAAAAAALis/rcALZByCA1U/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVtOX3U8k9g/UDpkOMxwhgI/AAAAAAAALis/rcALZByCA1U/s640/IMG_0528.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After the crossing, there are cow trails to follow toward the mesa area that is about 1 mile to the northwest. This area is very vegetation free and walking is easy.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm1cWojAyII/UDpkZfDgiRI/AAAAAAAALi0/klx7opohSG4/s1600/IMG_0522a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fm1cWojAyII/UDpkZfDgiRI/AAAAAAAALi0/klx7opohSG4/s400/IMG_0522a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With binoculars, a small ruins site is visible on a ledge one layer of cliffs below the mesa top. I had sighted this ruin on a previous hike from the east side of Yellow Jacket Creek.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D0RElcuPyp0/UDplCUgedrI/AAAAAAAALi8/dXsenMap2wI/s1600/IMG_0503a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D0RElcuPyp0/UDplCUgedrI/AAAAAAAALi8/dXsenMap2wI/s400/IMG_0503a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I didn’t see an easy way to get on the ledge, but the ruins can be viewed from several angles. From the left side, there is a large front wall that is visible from a long distance and a smaller wall section perched above it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGByf7x4Jjs/UDpliArmU8I/AAAAAAAALjE/JBUxCIw_uME/s1600/IMG_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OGByf7x4Jjs/UDpliArmU8I/AAAAAAAALjE/JBUxCIw_uME/s400/IMG_0518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From the right side, there is another wall section with a small doorway. I didn't see any other structures associated with this ruin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfsZFCeYv0M/UDpmiZ0p9vI/AAAAAAAALjQ/rZ348XDA6Ys/s1600/IMG_0520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfsZFCeYv0M/UDpmiZ0p9vI/AAAAAAAALjQ/rZ348XDA6Ys/s400/IMG_0520.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the right side, it looks like hand and toe holds lead to the mesa top. I didn’t try to climb up there but there must have been a mesa top route on top to get to this structure.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LEANnPG7vG4/UDpnD9g0_dI/AAAAAAAALjY/oCT4HKI_X-w/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LEANnPG7vG4/UDpnD9g0_dI/AAAAAAAALjY/oCT4HKI_X-w/s640/IMG_0514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking back at lower Yellow Jacket Canyon, the ruins site close to Ismay is visible as is the Cannonball Mesa top. Slightly to the north, there is a ruins site that overlooks the junction of Hovenweep and Yellow Jacket Canyon that is not visible from here. It took me 1:00 hour to arrive at the ruins site starting from close to the creek crossing. The slow part is climbing up the slope.<br />
<br />
The return hike took 1:15 as I walked north a little more are scanned up the canyons with binoculars. My total time was 2:30 hours on an 85 F degree late August day. On a warm day I carried and drank 2 liters of water.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.1251;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000342669;pid=565701;usg=AFHzDLtaKSIihq_i1z2JLYK7f0k85JRJmQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524892575653%2526mr%253AtrackingCode%253D6DC29F16-D163-E111-9D2A-001517B188A2%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%2419.96;title=Avia+River+Hiking+Sand...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F565701%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6691544.341;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802117841;pid=000280080-01;usg=AFHzDLvCB1z8vKUh6Bh0cPqexWun2suw0w;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.shopwss.com%252Fmens%252Fcobra-sport-river%252Fblack-charcoal%252Fsize7%252Fcb-s09-001m-bkgy%252F%253Futm_source%253Dgoogleproduct%2526utm_medium%253Dcpc%2526utm_campaign%253Dcse%2526zmam%253D55722756%2526zmas%253D1%2526zmac%253D1%2526zmap%253D000280080-01;pubid=537325;price=%2416.98;title=Cobra+Sport+River+Sand...;merc=ShopWSS;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shopwss.com%2Fassets%2F1%2F14%2F000280080-1.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6532325.2063;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000025255752;pid=5138495-EC1242102-6.0M;usg=AFHzDLt6TaMuuAU8CvKYjjBR3wnJzWC6oQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.shoes.com%252FShopping%252Fproductdetails.aspx%253Fcatalog%25255Fname%253Dweb%2526pg%253D5138495%2526p%253DEC1242102;pubid=537325;price=%2452.50;title=Teva+Pretty+Rugged+Nyl...;merc=Shoes.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shoes.com%2Fproductimages%2Fshoes_iaec1242102.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6704409.70;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000425997;pid=NBW2046-BR-7-B;usg=AFHzDLvGNLXWJMTwMJOewo-kA-8MIur1kA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.roadrunnersports.com%252Frrs%252Fproducts%252FNBW2046%252F%253Fcc%253DBR%2526s%253D7%2526w%253DB%2526sc%253DCX12D004;pubid=537325;price=%2449.95;title=Men%27s+New+Balance+Mad+...;merc=Road+Runner+Sports;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fs7ondemand1.scene7.com%2Fis%2Fimage%2Froadrunnersports%2FNBW2046-BR%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26s%3D7%26w%3DB;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.111;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000102871;pid=MH008%253A714%253AKHAKI;usg=AFHzDLtqQlmiaVrtWi4ypW3zl5l3uX2uXQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Fstore%252FClothing___Men___Hats__Belts___AccessoriesMH008;pubid=537325;price=%2479.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+Outb...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.magellans.com%2Fmitcus%2FImages%2Fproducts%2Flarge%2FMH008_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.128;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000102871;pid=MH767%253A758%253AKHAKI;usg=AFHzDLsDXKNZbRXUD2zrGlZ-ciG-fVNgiQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Fstore%252FClothing___Men___Hats__Belts___AccessoriesMH767;pubid=537325;price=%2484.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+West...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.magellans.com%2Fmitcus%2FImages%2Fproducts%2Flarge%2FMH767_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br /></div>
Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-53851285636201344092012-07-30T06:04:00.001-07:002012-12-30T08:17:15.014-08:00Yellow Jacket Pueblo<br />
The <b>Yellow Jacket Pueblo</b> is the largest known Ancestral Pueblo village in the Mesa Verde region. The 100 acre Yellow Jacket site is located mostly on property owned by the Archaeological Conservancy.<br />
<br />
There are usually two or three free tours offered during the summer that are publicized and arranged through the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvmilW0OWj0/UBZ-bk-hPwI/AAAAAAAALZI/Rn7ToquWxBs/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HvmilW0OWj0/UBZ-bk-hPwI/AAAAAAAALZI/Rn7ToquWxBs/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The site sits in the upland area between two arms of upper Yellow Jacket Canyon. Looking at the site from the parking area, it is overgrown with sagebrush without any of the 42 roomblocks with 600 or more rooms, 192-195 kivas, or 18 towers immediately apparent. The elevation is about 6800 feet.<br />
<br />
The tour starts by walking for about 0:20 minutes through the sagebrush to the south end of the site. The main sites are thought to have been built and occupied from 1050 to 1300 AD and may have supported up to 1500 people. It is not apparent walking across the site, but many of the kivas and rows of room blocks has<b> precise east and west alignments.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2Oibdlef4g/UBZ_C_sjtJI/AAAAAAAALZU/8yfO9XoF3n4/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u2Oibdlef4g/UBZ_C_sjtJI/AAAAAAAALZU/8yfO9XoF3n4/s640/IMG_0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Several rubble piles sites and many pottery shards are visible before arriving at a southwest side canyon rim where a small petroglyph is visible under a rocky ledge. Across the canyon from the <b>petroglyph</b> was a sagebrush hilltop that is thought to be a Basketmaker site, but it is outside of the preserve property.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH5MW9DEjSI/UBaAT-bL0wI/AAAAAAAALZc/zfyryWnp7KY/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH5MW9DEjSI/UBaAT-bL0wI/AAAAAAAALZc/zfyryWnp7KY/s640/IMG_0171.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Near the petroglyph site there is a very large rubble pile structure. On one side there is a <b>standing monument </b>that is thought to have a summer solstice alignment with the <b>Lizard Head </b>formation and other peaks in the San Miguel Mountains that are visible about 50 miles away in the distance. We saw two other similar monuments that had fallen over.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muRajhMv4-E/UBaBMRwZEtI/AAAAAAAALZk/hraEG7IKARM/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muRajhMv4-E/UBaBMRwZEtI/AAAAAAAALZk/hraEG7IKARM/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The highlight site is known as the <b>Great Tower Complex</b> on the northeast side of the pueblo. The large tower-kiva is 23 feet across and is part of castle like compact structure that may have been located to protect the spring water source for the area.<br />
<br />
There may be several <b>shrine structures</b> along the east side of the site near the canyon rim, but we missed seeing them. The concept of shrine is somewhat vague and there aren't any interpreted shrine sites in the Mesa Verde area that I know of. They seem to be semi-circular east facing sites where offerings to the spirits or forces of nature are made.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFwHBhbBHKw/UBaCfNJQ8rI/AAAAAAAALZw/zQ8RMZ1IuGM/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFwHBhbBHKw/UBaCfNJQ8rI/AAAAAAAALZw/zQ8RMZ1IuGM/s400/IMG_0187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Great Tower Complex has been partially excavated several times but has been back filled such that no standing walls are visible. This complex appears to have built relatively late in the history of Yellow Jacket, around 1240-1280 AD)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IAPjzoaVciU/UBaDkMp7l0I/AAAAAAAALZ4/R0qQlXRX51w/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IAPjzoaVciU/UBaDkMp7l0I/AAAAAAAALZ4/R0qQlXRX51w/s400/IMG_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There is some <b>surface water</b> visible below the cattails and there is some rubble visible near the spring. In addition to the springs as a water supply, there are the remains of check dams along the drainages to catch surface runoff.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE2SAHdioDg/UBaErv4AfFI/AAAAAAAALaE/t01SHNKhdEU/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE2SAHdioDg/UBaErv4AfFI/AAAAAAAALaE/t01SHNKhdEU/s400/IMG_0179.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Further down the same canyon, there are rubble piles below the rim. The structures protecting the water source are thought to be part of a trend in the mid thirteenth century as rising population put more demand on the resources. Along with the rest of the Mesa Verde region, Yellow Jacket was abandoned by about 1300 AD.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DASbldmHeM/UBaFRx0mMBI/AAAAAAAALaM/Su1qo_18hyc/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DASbldmHeM/UBaFRx0mMBI/AAAAAAAALaM/Su1qo_18hyc/s640/IMG_0193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Yellow Jacket site has a possible <b>great house and great kiva</b> on the north end of the site, outside the reserve boundaries and can only be viewed from a distance. It is thought that Chaco Canyon influenced people appeared here around 1080 AD.<br />
<br />
There are several exact alignments at Yellow Jacket that are similar to the alignments found at Chaco Canyon.The total hike took 2:00 hours on late July morning.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.453;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=43750WC;usg=AFHzDLscXM0Np4Mo-l7lv50Xw1gC_QnEtg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fpentax-8-5-x-21-papilio-butterfly-series-binocular.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24109.95;title=Pentax+8.5+x+21+Papili...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F43750.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.455;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=46473WEIXL;usg=AFHzDLt7EJqnrnVVTnqys6NjxEu0375Adw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fnorth-face-men-39-s-outbound-convertible-pants-30.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2469.98;title=The+North+Face+Outboun...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fcloth%2F46473%2F46473_wei.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.454;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=46475WEIXXL;usg=AFHzDLsvUAm4B90K2o4yI9OpshUxjOri5Q;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fnorth-face-men-39-s-outbound-convertible-pants-32.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2469.98;title=The+North+Face+Outboun...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fcloth%2F46475%2F46475_wei.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.457;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=21836;usg=AFHzDLsP0iei8fvE620ZJ7ZJXPOBERFO-A;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsuunto-woodsman-a-30l-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2415.97;title=Suunto+Woodsman+A-30L+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F21836.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.98;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=155836208;usg=AFHzDLtKpGkeunFAFc_s0ytH0chx6WJASA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252Fmf%252F21129626%252Fvintage-hiking_tshirt%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--007--155836208%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D93;pubid=537325;price=%2422.50;title=Vintage+Hiking+T-Shirt;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F155836208_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696028.105;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029272154;pid=262823797;usg=AFHzDLuH2FbfwJkljOeMLN4qseBQGAegSg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cafepress.com%252Fmf%252F27743334%252Ftheres-no-crying-in-hiking_tshirt%253Fcmp%253Dpfc--f--us--152--262823797%2526sourcecode%253Daffiliate%2526pid%253D6673073%2526utm_cp_signal%253D93;pubid=537325;price=%2426.50;title=Theres+No+Crying+In+Hi...;merc=CafePress.com;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.cafepress.com%2Fproduct%2F262823797_480x480_f.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0937407062&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_Travelation: More flights. Lowest price, guaranteed with no booking fees" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-16021402021782211652012-07-21T05:44:00.000-07:002012-09-27T06:15:19.330-07:00Lowry Pueblo Ruins<br />
<b>Lowry Pueblo Ruin</b> is nine miles west of Pleasant View, in southwest Colorado on County Road CC and is toward the north end of the relatively new Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. The interpretive material on site draws attention to how this site compares to similar sites in the region.<br />
<br />
The kiva enclosed by rectangular walls is a style that is also seen at Far View at Mesa Verde and the Escalante Pueblo at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRIMii-6gfs/TlqJoz4L8XI/AAAAAAAAJTw/zdKYpe9B5BY/s1600/IMG_2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LRIMii-6gfs/TlqJoz4L8XI/AAAAAAAAJTw/zdKYpe9B5BY/s640/IMG_2267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The Lowry Ruin was excavated in the 1930s and is situated on the Sage Plain area, an area suitable for dry land farming and surrounded by deep canyons with Pinon Pine and Juniper forest. It is thought that the ruin was constructed beginning around 1060 and was occupied for about 165 years. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qwWJGGCLKaI/SYbMwMH4TAI/AAAAAAAADn0/0m2doGVCyJ4/s1600/IMG_2495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qwWJGGCLKaI/SYbMwMH4TAI/AAAAAAAADn0/0m2doGVCyJ4/s400/IMG_2495.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The interpretive material describes how the site was built up during different construction periods. The different masonry styles used in different stages can be noted. Some of the features are thought to show influences of the Chaco Canyon style. The site is rectangular with the back wall facing the west and a separate Great Kiva across a plaza area to the east. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9novV5XQP0Q/SCukZ-OW-hI/AAAAAAAABGo/DzOVNQmjmjM/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9novV5XQP0Q/SCukZ-OW-hI/AAAAAAAABGo/DzOVNQmjmjM/s400/IMG_2493.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The protective structure covers a kiva that was famous for the designs painted inside, though these have faded now. It is possible to enter the kiva through the low door and view the kiva from the bottom up.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96wGoSJUKnc/SYbMv_91e8I/AAAAAAAADns/6lvc5qfVJPg/s1600/IMG_2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96wGoSJUKnc/SYbMv_91e8I/AAAAAAAADns/6lvc5qfVJPg/s400/IMG_2499.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The<b> interior of the kiva</b> shows some apparent racks made of wood. Similar features are seen in one of the kivas at the Coyote Village site in Mesa Verde. Kivas are usually interpreted as having ceremonial functions but I try to see them also as a way to deal with weather extremes, refuges from harsh temperature conditions.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFSx0pXWJF8/UAqh2aAleII/AAAAAAAALVw/2INcPx9mVVQ/s1600/IMG_9242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFSx0pXWJF8/UAqh2aAleII/AAAAAAAALVw/2INcPx9mVVQ/s400/IMG_9242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, CO has a <b>preserved section of the Kiva</b> designs and some large photos of what they originally looked like. There are also more details and pictures of the site. There were two styles of the designs that circled the kivas and these same designs are seen on pottery and petroglyphs around the region.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtWGJzYA9Zk/TlqJy8w_e4I/AAAAAAAAJT0/qkm0uX88bFI/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FtWGJzYA9Zk/TlqJy8w_e4I/AAAAAAAAJT0/qkm0uX88bFI/s400/IMG_0510.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The Lowry Ruins site has a <b>Great Kiva</b>, one much larger than average. This one has unusual stone work features that are thought to be symbolic of the Winter People and Summer People. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OafEmW80XcA/SCukaeOW-iI/AAAAAAAABGw/0tl0PgKYeYc/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OafEmW80XcA/SCukaeOW-iI/AAAAAAAABGw/0tl0PgKYeYc/s400/IMG_2503.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">This is the only excavated Great Kiva in the nearby area. The Sand Canyon Pueblo Trail and the Goodman Point Unit of Hovenweep have unexcavated Great Kivas that are easy to view. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4TtMevHhhg/UAqjEVEERpI/AAAAAAAALV4/g0XWyZ8yOL4/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4TtMevHhhg/UAqjEVEERpI/AAAAAAAALV4/g0XWyZ8yOL4/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are other unpublicized ruins sites to look for in the Lowry Pueblo area. The Lowry Pueblo sits on a hilltop between two forks of Cow Canyon. The rims of the two forks are good places to look. There is also an unnoticed fairly large site along the entrance road to the Lowry site. (Use the Cow Canyon labels for more on these hikes.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lBpBq6aeuY/UAqjs680wHI/AAAAAAAALWE/LgT1jkA50Dg/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lBpBq6aeuY/UAqjs680wHI/AAAAAAAALWE/LgT1jkA50Dg/s400/IMG_0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">County Road CC continues west past the Lowry site for a short distance. I tried a short hike to the west from where the road makes a turn to the south. After about 0:15 minutes of climbing uphill through Pinon and Juniper forest I came to a sagebrush field that looked like it had burned near the east rim of Cross Canyon. There I found an elongated rubble pile site with many pottery shards and a line of turned on end flat stones, but nothing else in the vicinity.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534756.165;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028505128;pid=NOO1010;usg=AFHzDLvwjyz_Vs4pc7RcJxmegSQyGB34Kw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wayfair.com%252FNight-Owl-Optics-NexGen-5x50mm-Binoculars-NOB5X-L3569-K%257ENOO1010.html;pubid=537325;price=%24517.95;title=%22NexGen+5x50mm+Binocul...;merc=Wayfair;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommon1.csnimages.com%2Flf%2F49%2Fhash%2F6216%2F2112401%2F1%2F1.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534945.267;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005617196;pid=8085516;usg=AFHzDLsW8BwU1jU72RbySF2KhOvQTUM4vw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.finishline.com%252Fstore%252Fcatalog%252Fproduct.jsp%253FproductId%253Dprod695762%2526GARMIN%253D%2526003%253D17163257%2526010%253D695762;pubid=537325;price=%24199.99;title=GARMIN+Forerunner+210+...;merc=Finish+Line;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.finishline.com%2Fstore%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fxl01000863034.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002EOULAE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802319588&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="532497_120 x 90 Starting Salary $42k. Group 1" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802319588&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_Travelation: More flights. Lowest price, guaranteed with no booking fees" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-39399855861767740182012-07-11T05:49:00.000-07:002012-12-05T09:11:13.727-08:00Cahone Canyon Mesa Top<br />
The <b>Cahone Canyon Wilderness Study Area </b>of the northeast part of the Canyons of the Ancients can be accessed with a west turn at County Road R at the small town of Cahone in southwest Colorado. From Highway 491 it is 4 miles to a gate and trail head.<br />
<br />
The unmarked but obvious trail leads northwest about 1.5 miles to a junction with Cross Canyon. On this hike I stayed straight west along a vague trail next to the fence line.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYv1ekNANF8/T_1w9LWjbXI/AAAAAAAALR8/sGxvNVN7bWE/s1600/IMG_9873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TYv1ekNANF8/T_1w9LWjbXI/AAAAAAAALR8/sGxvNVN7bWE/s400/IMG_9873.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It took me 1:15 hours to travel about 2 miles to the canyon rim overlooking the northern part of Cross Canyon. The fence line with the vague trail extends nearly the entire distance. There are two small canyon drainages to cross along the way. This point is about 1 mile south of where the main trail arrives at the bottom of Cross Canyon.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo8or099Kiw/T_1xgmUdOWI/AAAAAAAALSE/RBCpAODwHlA/s1600/IMG_9867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jo8or099Kiw/T_1xgmUdOWI/AAAAAAAALSE/RBCpAODwHlA/s400/IMG_9867.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking up and down the canyon, I couldn’t spot any Ancestral Pueblo Ruins sites from the mesa top. I could see some trail segments down below on the west side of the Cross Canyon bottom. On a previous hike to the canyon bottom I had found one ruins site slightly south of where the main trail enters Cross Canyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnWsyVQ6hkw/T_1ydgCSt3I/AAAAAAAALSM/DltjFQ6oo1I/s1600/IMG_9886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnWsyVQ6hkw/T_1ydgCSt3I/AAAAAAAALSM/DltjFQ6oo1I/s640/IMG_9886.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From this Cross Canyon view point I hiked south about 0.7 miles to the north rim of Cahone Canyon. There were two short side canyons to cross or walk around to arrive at the north rim. This south facing canyon rim had many large boulders that I thought would be likely places to find ruins sites. In the Cahone Canyon below looked like there was a permanent flow of water, but I didn’t notice any structures along the 1 mile closest to the junction with Cross Canyon.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfu1mAKx-wc/T_1zFNoCxLI/AAAAAAAALSY/pWLw8u41bvc/s1600/IMG_9890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xfu1mAKx-wc/T_1zFNoCxLI/AAAAAAAALSY/pWLw8u41bvc/s400/IMG_9890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Walking back north, steering by compass, I came to a sagebrush area in the otherwise Pinon Pine and Juniper forest and started seeing many pottery shards and sharp edged rock pieces.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7CMpMeIpwg/T_10GLW4P1I/AAAAAAAALSg/4scAwsMmOCo/s1600/IMG_9905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7CMpMeIpwg/T_10GLW4P1I/AAAAAAAALSg/4scAwsMmOCo/s400/IMG_9905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Looking around more, there is a fairly large village site that is largely overgrown with sagebrush. It looks like there has been some excavation is a few places here. There are several piles of collapsed building stone that have been moved away from the structures. Otherwise it is hard to see anything other than jumbled building stones.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HqVUB19L30/T_10xGwxcsI/AAAAAAAALSo/_JJXDd3AdKM/s1600/IMG_9906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2HqVUB19L30/T_10xGwxcsI/AAAAAAAALSo/_JJXDd3AdKM/s640/IMG_9906.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">This site is on the south side of the western most cleared field in this area. The cleared field and sagebrush show up clearly on the aerial photos on Google maps.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yq1p8oJUr9Y/T_1124FMktI/AAAAAAAALS0/BELyiGPebSw/s1600/IMG_9913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yq1p8oJUr9Y/T_1124FMktI/AAAAAAAALS0/BELyiGPebSw/s400/IMG_9913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">From this site I circled around the cleared field and walked northeast until I found the fence line I had followed from the trail head. I had spent about 3:30 hours and 4 miles looking around before finding this site. The return hike after looking around the site took about 1:00 hour. My total hike took 5:30 hours for about 6 miles. It was 70 F degrees at my 9:00 AM start and 88 F as 2:30 PM on a sunny early July day. I carried and drank 4 liters of water.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.390;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=43751WC;usg=AFHzDLu3KMvK-I9HzeWkxIelqkWqdflCDw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fpentax-8-16-x-21-ucf-ii-zoom-binocular.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%24139.99;title=Pentax+8+-16+x+21+UCF+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fsunglasses%2F43751.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.391;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=85808;usg=AFHzDLv_Qubg6h39i50KDS2v-oFU8Z9Wxg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbubi-scrunchable-water-bottle.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2424.98;title=Bubi+Scrunchable+Water...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F85808.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6768583.121;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000102871;pid=MH008%253A714%253AKHAKI;usg=AFHzDLtqQlmiaVrtWi4ypW3zl5l3uX2uXQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.magellans.com%252Fstore%252FClothing___Men___Hats__Belts___AccessoriesMH008;pubid=537325;price=%2479.00;title=Tilley+Endurables+Outb...;merc=Magellan%27s+Travel+Supplies;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fimage.magellans.com%2Fmitcus%2FImages%2Fproducts%2Flarge%2FMH008_lg.jpg;width=69;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.388;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=87099GRA;usg=AFHzDLt_DC5IvohszoI3y0bIdl3SfoRGSA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsilva-guide-426-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2419.98;title=Silva+Guide+426+Compas...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F87099%2F87099_gra.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.389;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=60743;usg=AFHzDLvQJM8ebYi7CcXcIvInRIZEvIKwdA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbrunton-classic-8040g-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2424.98;title=Brunton+Classic+8040G+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F60743.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-26233132253072223952012-07-05T15:36:00.004-07:002012-10-19T18:16:06.389-07:00Hilltop Village Between Yellow Jacket and Woods Canyon<br />
The mesa top area between <b>Woods Canyon</b> to the west and <b>Yellowjacket Canyon</b> to the south has a variety of hidden Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites along the canyon rims and hilltops. From the Carbon Dioxide Gas Plant at the corner of County Road U and County Road 14, I traveled 1.4 miles south on Road 14 and stopped at a point where the road made a sharp bend to the west.<br />
<br />
This road might also be labeled BLM Road 4528. This area is west of the community of Yellow Jacket along Highway 491 in the Canyons of the Ancients in southwest Colorado.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAe1tNiCdrU/T_YScFkhFvI/AAAAAAAALQ8/SRMeiM2Dlww/s1600/IMG_9842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KAe1tNiCdrU/T_YScFkhFvI/AAAAAAAALQ8/SRMeiM2Dlww/s400/IMG_9842.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I hiked around the area on a warm early July day looking at the hilltops areas on both sides of the road. On the hilltop northwest of where I started there is a medium sized village completely hidden and overgrown with sagebrush and the Pinon Juniper forest.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4OP6OyzTug/T_YTOjp2ocI/AAAAAAAALRE/1CSkbMUEuVI/s1600/IMG_9837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s4OP6OyzTug/T_YTOjp2ocI/AAAAAAAALRE/1CSkbMUEuVI/s400/IMG_9837.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">On the east side of the site there is a large circular rubble pile in a volcano shape, perhaps a collapsed tower.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_vOEuLgt9U/T_YURDF2hUI/AAAAAAAALRQ/USw01wYTq3w/s1600/IMG_9846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_vOEuLgt9U/T_YURDF2hUI/AAAAAAAALRQ/USw01wYTq3w/s400/IMG_9846.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">The next structure to the west seemed to be a more rectangular mound with less rubble visible. This site has good views from the hilltop overlooking the area to the south.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOB3NQ_LGmU/T_YVBAUas5I/AAAAAAAALRY/zrveJDG28UA/s1600/IMG_9849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yOB3NQ_LGmU/T_YVBAUas5I/AAAAAAAALRY/zrveJDG28UA/s400/IMG_9849.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Further to the west is another circular ruin that I thought was more of a kiva, but none of these rubble piles had any visible walls that have held together.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpn_u_ljh7Y/T_YV_izfSEI/AAAAAAAALRk/aYvhtZrCezQ/s1600/IMG_9855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpn_u_ljh7Y/T_YV_izfSEI/AAAAAAAALRk/aYvhtZrCezQ/s400/IMG_9855.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From this village it is a short walk northwest to the nearest canyon rim where a boulder based ruins site is visible across and down the canyon. I think this site is also visible with binoculars from the main road about 0.5 miles further south. (The post for this boulders site is labeled Yellow Jacket Canyon Boulders.)
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQokc20h5Vo/T_YWrzHVBXI/AAAAAAAALRs/4Fir7fT-tr4/s1600/IMG_9852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQokc20h5Vo/T_YWrzHVBXI/AAAAAAAALRs/4Fir7fT-tr4/s400/IMG_9852.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I spent 1:30 hours on this hike even though the site I found was 5 minutes of walking from where I started. I was an 84 F degree early July day and I wasn't bothered by the biting gnats that are often a nuisance during June.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.375;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=21836;usg=AFHzDLsP0iei8fvE620ZJ7ZJXPOBERFO-A;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsuunto-woodsman-a-30l-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2415.97;title=Suunto+Woodsman+A-30L+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F21836.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.378;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=87099GRA;usg=AFHzDLt_DC5IvohszoI3y0bIdl3SfoRGSA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fsilva-guide-426-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2419.98;title=Silva+Guide+426+Compas...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F87099%2F87099_gra.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.376;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=60743;usg=AFHzDLvQJM8ebYi7CcXcIvInRIZEvIKwdA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fbrunton-classic-8040g-compass.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2424.98;title=Brunton+Classic+8040G+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F60743.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-55223292273180649632012-06-30T15:41:00.004-07:002012-06-30T16:35:53.074-07:00Escalante Pueblo Overlooks and the Weber Canyon Fire<br />
On June 30, 2012 at 12:00 noon, smoke from the <b>Weber Canyon forest fire </b>is visible from the Escalante Pueblo overlook points at the Anasazi Heritage Center near Dolores in southwest Colorado. One of the interpretive signs on the hilltop at the end of the 1 mile round trip hike has these comments about the surrounding landscape.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0bvV-LQ1AM/T-9_3161K_I/AAAAAAAALPU/OQ-r8DnCHmQ/s1600/IMG_9784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0bvV-LQ1AM/T-9_3161K_I/AAAAAAAALPU/OQ-r8DnCHmQ/s640/IMG_9784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From this hilltop one can view the six directions significant to Native Americans – north, south, east west, zenith (above) and nadir (below). It is a place to watch the sun during its yearly journey along the horizon, a place to gaze at stars in the night sky, a place to observe and appreciate the diversity of the landscape that surrounds you.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-31Z2fXSMLag/T--AUOUq_vI/AAAAAAAALPg/V1_g7iru8bc/s1600/IMG_9792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-31Z2fXSMLag/T--AUOUq_vI/AAAAAAAALPg/V1_g7iru8bc/s640/IMG_9792.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">They understood that humans are not distinct, separate beings from the natural environment but that every act and thought of any human being affects the cosmos. They moved through the land with a sensibility that allowed nuances of the wind, sun and ground to affect their decision making…Their sense of home, or place, was in the space between the earth and sky and not with a specific human-built structure.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-15881659907965436552012-06-10T09:21:00.001-07:002012-08-02T15:55:01.576-07:00Anasazi Heritage Center June Flowers<br />
Summer visitors to the <b>Anasazi Heritage Center</b> near Dolores, Colorado will notice the colorful display of flower beds near the entrance. There is a co-operative program called <b>Plant Select</b> that has developed this Demonstration Garden using native Four Corners plants and selected others. The Anasazi Heritage Center is the Visitor Center for the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRuGwhnuIys/T9TD-Wh3jII/AAAAAAAALDc/dI_N_HUutmo/s1600/IMG_9410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MRuGwhnuIys/T9TD-Wh3jII/AAAAAAAALDc/dI_N_HUutmo/s400/IMG_9410.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
These plants are well adapted to this zone that is between the Pinon and Juniper forest and the Ponderosa and Gambel Oak forest. There is a free guide to all these plants inside the Heritage Center. I visited on June 9, just as some of the plants were coming into spectacular bloom. The <b>Chuska Puma</b>, one of the Pumas on Parade, has a good position on the left side of the entrance plaza.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qnqF-kuxgM/T9TEmFREn0I/AAAAAAAALDk/X7h9MZjZlaQ/s1600/IMG_9396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qnqF-kuxgM/T9TEmFREn0I/AAAAAAAALDk/X7h9MZjZlaQ/s640/IMG_9396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Shrubby Cinquefoil</b> in the Rose Family has colorful yellow blossoms and is found along trails in the Four Corners. Behind are red and yellow <b>Blanket Flowers</b>. The guide mentions the uses that early residents had for many of these plants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XDmCYo9jMk/T9TFtpaY0dI/AAAAAAAALDs/c8jVv53X28c/s1600/IMG_9401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4XDmCYo9jMk/T9TFtpaY0dI/AAAAAAAALDs/c8jVv53X28c/s400/IMG_9401.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The combination of the blue and white <b>Rocky Mountain Columbine</b> with the<b> Denver Gold Columbine</b> is spectacular in early June. There is also a Red Columbine that occurs along trails and is here at the garden, though I don’t think I saw it on this visit. Columbines are in the Buttercup Family.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4smEKxf1XJM/T9TGW7qZ9SI/AAAAAAAALD4/wTO_rtlNw6g/s1600/IMG_9398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4smEKxf1XJM/T9TGW7qZ9SI/AAAAAAAALD4/wTO_rtlNw6g/s400/IMG_9398.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the plants, like these <b>Wine Cups</b>, have Plant Select labels. For some it is harder to find the labels and the plant guide is helpful for those. The plant guide has common names and genus names but doesn't seem to include plant families.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5w3_gzP7DJA/T9THRxH-45I/AAAAAAAALEA/Rq_znqLycbI/s1600/IMG_9416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5w3_gzP7DJA/T9THRxH-45I/AAAAAAAALEA/Rq_znqLycbI/s400/IMG_9416.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b>Desert Four O’clock or Miribilis </b>is one of my favorites to find along the trails.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLLvz2SFJ6E/T9TH8GyR30I/AAAAAAAALEI/seA4WFS5Lxg/s1600/IMG_9421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YLLvz2SFJ6E/T9TH8GyR30I/AAAAAAAALEI/seA4WFS5Lxg/s400/IMG_9421.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Apache Plume </b>in the Rose Family has feathery plumes that carry the seeds. It probably had many white flowers that have already faded. Behind it I think is the ornamental Green Ash. I could see the small canoe paddle shaped seeds getting ready to flutter down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABlKCrr7OKM/T9TI1nbZ8gI/AAAAAAAALEU/NTB8UOkSjFk/s1600/IMG_9402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABlKCrr7OKM/T9TI1nbZ8gI/AAAAAAAALEU/NTB8UOkSjFk/s400/IMG_9402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are many more to find and the plants in bloom will change through the growing season.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Q_SbJ27hM/T--Bw49gIjI/AAAAAAAALPo/Az5q8pjLGgE/s1600/IMG_9774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0Q_SbJ27hM/T--Bw49gIjI/AAAAAAAALPo/Az5q8pjLGgE/s400/IMG_9774.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Toward the end of June the Coneflowers come into bloom. <span style="background-color: white;"> <b>Purple Coneflowers</b> and ...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prdFITb3bgQ/T--Cfe3r7RI/AAAAAAAALPw/GGlbTfxm0Nw/s1600/IMG_9780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-prdFITb3bgQ/T--Cfe3r7RI/AAAAAAAALPw/GGlbTfxm0Nw/s400/IMG_9780.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Prairie Coneflowers</b>. <span style="background-color: white;">In addition to the plant beds near the entrance, the whole site, even the parking area can be considered as a botany resource.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GG3l5xBIFxA/UBsElAvhrUI/AAAAAAAALb0/IF0gZwYP39E/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GG3l5xBIFxA/UBsElAvhrUI/AAAAAAAALb0/IF0gZwYP39E/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">At the end of July, <b>Bee Balms</b> are replacing the columbines in front of the Chuska Puma. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The one mile round trip interpretive trail to the Escalante Pueblo site also has identification for some the native plants.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696025.96;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000024781945;pid=sku6424364;usg=AFHzDLvuDc951GoksD-BI8xbZcEHdlIOfg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.samsclub.com%252Fsams%252Fshop%252Fproduct.jsp%253FproductId%253Dprod5950362%2526pid%253D_DoubleClick_Affiliates%2526ci_src%253D15781033%2526ci_sku%253Dsku6424364;pubid=537325;price=%24219.86;title=Trellis+Garden+Large+Q...;merc=Sam%27s+Club;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fs7d2.scene7.com%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fsamsclub%2Fs7product%2F0009635510899_A.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.1044;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000000342669;pid=478841;usg=AFHzDLttQ47U_zx3UuiqUCv7Za6uu-8thQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524892505656%2526mr%253AtrackingCode%253D8F0A98F9-D87E-DF11-BC8B-0019B9C043EB%2526mr%253AreferralID%253DNA;pubid=537325;price=%2469.98;title=Picnic+Time+Gardening+Kit;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F478841%3Fwid%3D500%26hei%3D500%26op_sharpen%3D1;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0039WN9FE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000093ILC&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0019DCD6Q&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-29258437162385129222012-05-18T14:04:00.001-07:002012-06-05T05:24:58.629-07:00Pedro Point Southwest<br />
The<b> Pedro Point</b> area has one of the easiest to find of the larger unpublicized Ancestral Pueblo Ruins sites in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in southwest Colorado. The BLM road marked 4720, a west turn from County Road 10 leads about 3 miles to the site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3WffAIFc-s/T7a6WXMbkAI/AAAAAAAAK28/RsnPqwymOAg/s1600/IMG_8944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i3WffAIFc-s/T7a6WXMbkAI/AAAAAAAAK28/RsnPqwymOAg/s640/IMG_8944.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Road 4720 is a good road to hike on and is also a designated route that can be driven, though it is bumpy. I started my hike at the Pedro Point site and hiked south, looking along the rims of the several side canyons of Cross Canyon that are in this area.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1_cyockq4HY/T7a7Bdj7bAI/AAAAAAAAK3E/fPB0G7IwXzE/s1600/IMG_8949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1_cyockq4HY/T7a7Bdj7bAI/AAAAAAAAK3E/fPB0G7IwXzE/s400/IMG_8949.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After a few minutes of hiking I found this <b>small wall</b> on the bank of a small drainage. It’s hard to guess what this could be. I didn't see anything else in the vicinity.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNksULw_PCM/T7a8AhuluFI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/FAJaOzIut6E/s1600/IMG_8957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nNksULw_PCM/T7a8AhuluFI/AAAAAAAAK3Q/FAJaOzIut6E/s400/IMG_8957.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the west side of a moderately large side canyon there was another small puzzling wall section.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yUiNid1J3Ek/T7a8kYA0KWI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/4U1dELgBapo/s1600/IMG_8958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yUiNid1J3Ek/T7a8kYA0KWI/AAAAAAAAK3Y/4U1dELgBapo/s400/IMG_8958.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I walked further south along this side canyon rim to some good view points but didn't see any other structures. This side canyon was crossable, so I continued east to the west rim of the very large side canyon that runs southwest to northeast and divides the area south of the Pedro Point Road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVa1n90pzxo/T7a9f9e5JLI/AAAAAAAAK3g/kQzqTivUw8s/s1600/IMG_8969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MVa1n90pzxo/T7a9f9e5JLI/AAAAAAAAK3g/kQzqTivUw8s/s400/IMG_8969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hiking northeast along the canyon rim, there are good canyon views but I didn’t notice any other structures. Eventually I intersected the Pedro Point Road about 0.5 miles east of the Pedro Point Ruins site. At this point, there is an old stock pond with some Cottonwood trees growing.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-WqXRRMyqk/T7a-LxkxiwI/AAAAAAAAK3s/HZuSoYr1v-8/s1600/IMG_8978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-WqXRRMyqk/T7a-LxkxiwI/AAAAAAAAK3s/HZuSoYr1v-8/s400/IMG_8978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Rather than follow the road back west to my starting point, I decided to walk the short distance north to the south rim of the McLean Basin. About 100 yards northwest of the old stock pond, there is a large circular <b>rubble pile site</b>. This site is close to the road but not visible if you are on the road.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uC1Atz9eLuA/T7a_NqNZ4kI/AAAAAAAAK30/OHmYrsoQFRo/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uC1Atz9eLuA/T7a_NqNZ4kI/AAAAAAAAK30/OHmYrsoQFRo/s640/IMG_8987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Continuing west along the rocky rim, there is a <b>large boulder with a small wall section</b> on one corner. There wasn’t any fallen rubble below the boulder. This looked like a building effort that started and then was quickly abandoned.<br />
<br />
From the rim it is possible to see the road below and the starting point of the trail that leads up the green strip of Cross Canyon. To the east, the elusive McLean Basin Towers are visible with binoculars below cliffs as the road climbs to the mesa top.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0E5v9iXa1E/T7a_xbCp6UI/AAAAAAAAK4A/XHkcXbGDdT4/s1600/IMG_8995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H0E5v9iXa1E/T7a_xbCp6UI/AAAAAAAAK4A/XHkcXbGDdT4/s400/IMG_8995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Pedro Point site is only a few minutes hiking further west. My total hike took 3:10 hours for about 4 miles. It was 68 F degrees at 10:30 AM and 80 F at 1:40 PM. I carried and drank 3 liters of water. In mid May there were a few of the dreaded June biting gnats in the afternoon.<br />
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802319588&pubid=21000000000537305"><img src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802319588&pubid=21000000000537305" border=0 alt="532497_120 x 90 Starting Salary $42k. Group 1"></a>
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6536000.250;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005217789;pid=22311589;usg=AFHzDLtgHjNHMkRM0eSvOmiZ0bB7scgvcw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.officemax.com%252Ftechnology%252Fgps-systems-accessories%252Fgps-systems%252Fproduct-prod3020042%253Fcm_mmc%253DPerformics-_-Technology-_-GPS%252520Systems%252520and%252520Accessories-_-GPS%252520Systems%2526ci_src%253D14110944%2526ci_sku%253D22311589;pubid=537325;price=%24179.99;title=Garmin+Nuvi+1450+5%22+GP...;merc=OfficeMax;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.officemax.com%2Fcatalog%2Fimages%2F397x353%2F22311589i_01.jpg;width=95;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534945.260;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000005617196;pid=8085516;usg=AFHzDLsW8BwU1jU72RbySF2KhOvQTUM4vw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.finishline.com%252Fstore%252Fcatalog%252Fproduct.jsp%253FproductId%253Dprod695762%2526GARMIN%253D%2526003%253D17163257%2526010%253D695762;pubid=537325;price=%24199.99;title=GARMIN+Forerunner+210+...;merc=Finish+Line;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.finishline.com%2Fstore%2Fimages%2Fproducts%2Fxl01000863034.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0937407062&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1px" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=fourcornershikes8&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0964582422" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1px" /><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" border=0 alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!"></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-37942683278420934252012-04-23T06:47:00.000-07:002012-07-21T05:49:44.153-07:00Stone Tools on the TrailsHikes to the seldom visited Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites in the Canyons of the Ancients reveal pottery shards and <b>small stones</b> that could be tools. The <b>Anasazi Heritage Center</b> near Dolores, Colorado has interpretive displays to help understand these artifacts. While picking up and observing these objects in usually encouraged, they should be left where they are found.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg_70u1qgeo/T5VZBzaC-9I/AAAAAAAAKpM/wkZn5Zmfxn4/s1600/IMG_4017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg_70u1qgeo/T5VZBzaC-9I/AAAAAAAAKpM/wkZn5Zmfxn4/s640/IMG_4017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Heritage Center display has 22 different types of lithics classifications, and this doesn’t include the large category of grinding stones. The stone pieces that I see are mostly not recognizable as a distinct shape, such as a projectile point, but many seem to have sharp edges or sharp points.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9xAbxrZNlo/T5VZM8AtoMI/AAAAAAAAKpU/ofvJWVezXg0/s1600/IMG_7752a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9xAbxrZNlo/T5VZM8AtoMI/AAAAAAAAKpU/ofvJWVezXg0/s400/IMG_7752a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Occasionally there are small hiker made arrays of stones near a ruins site. Glancing at them, it is obvious that there are several different minerals available.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S8wbSO3zT_I/T5VaK_qpTmI/AAAAAAAAKpc/EgMTbLTutVg/s1600/IMG_7857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S8wbSO3zT_I/T5VaK_qpTmI/AAAAAAAAKpc/EgMTbLTutVg/s400/IMG_7857.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
None of these shapes are very distinct, but among the classifications are blades, gravers and perforators.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g52_gW049N4/T5Vaj9Et-sI/AAAAAAAAKpk/Ra7kDPM0gIo/s1600/IMG_7867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g52_gW049N4/T5Vaj9Et-sI/AAAAAAAAKpk/Ra7kDPM0gIo/s400/IMG_7867.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In a drawer below the lithics classification poster, there are examples of the minerals that are available in the Canyons of the Ancients, both in a raw and finished form. The minerals on display include grayish Morrison <b>Orthoquartzite</b>, silvery <b>Chalcedony</b>, streaky <b>Silicified Sediment</b> and streaky <b>Chert/Silicified Sedimen</b>t, grayish Brushy Basin <b>Chert</b>, the reddish <b>Jasper</b>, and grayish Burro Canyon <b>Orthoquartzite</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg3oyImGi2M/T5Vbk9lj9GI/AAAAAAAAKps/4mWb5FgqgBo/s1600/IMG_7870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hg3oyImGi2M/T5Vbk9lj9GI/AAAAAAAAKps/4mWb5FgqgBo/s400/IMG_7870.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Chalcedony</b> is described as a<b> mix of quartz and moganite</b>, two different crystal forms of silica dioxide. Chert seems to be a more general term for rocks that are quartz crystals but doesn’t include quartzite. <b>Quartzite is a metamorphic</b> rock that was originally sandstone and was altered due to pressure and heat. Orthoquartzite is very pure quartz sandstone. Jasper seems to be an impure form of Chalcedony and can occur in various colors due mostly to Iron.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geFxrbZ1_U4/T5VbyS15JwI/AAAAAAAAKp4/7zSxyYyORe0/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-geFxrbZ1_U4/T5VbyS15JwI/AAAAAAAAKp4/7zSxyYyORe0/s400/IMG_0995.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Burro Canyon Formation and the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation are just below the Dakota Sandstone that forms the cliffs at the top of many of the Canyons of the Ancients. The trail guide for the Sand Canyon Trail has a diagram of these formations and they are exposed along the northern segment of the trail.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycBDXCm9Ht8/T5Vc8H94-UI/AAAAAAAAKqA/8MYtzqrjvBs/s1600/IMG_7828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycBDXCm9Ht8/T5Vc8H94-UI/AAAAAAAAKqA/8MYtzqrjvBs/s640/IMG_7828.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Another concept to consider when viewing these objects is <b>Debitage, or waste flakes</b> that are produced in making a useful tool. One of the categories of waste flakes is called angular debris, a piece that breaks off while flaking by accident.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0JY&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00186YU4M&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305"><img src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802363648&pubid=21000000000537305" border=0 alt="544544_Travelation: More flights. Lowest price, guaranteed with no booking fees"></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-53749503139300999272012-04-19T07:00:00.001-07:002012-09-30T04:51:52.784-07:00Mockingbird Mesa NE to Sandstone Canyon<br />
The canyons along the east rim of <b>Mockingbird Mesa</b> are part of the Sandstone Canyon system. From the usual starting area at the normally closed gate near the carbon dioxide facility it is a short walk to the east rim. Looking northeast from the rim, there is a <b>wide and deep side canyon</b> between the rim and a prominent rocky point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0xC1fA6i0M/T5ASc5_xCNI/AAAAAAAAKnw/49JgP8bv514/s1600/IMG_0814a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n0xC1fA6i0M/T5ASc5_xCNI/AAAAAAAAKnw/49JgP8bv514/s640/IMG_0814a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Although it isn't clear from the distance, I had reason to believe that there is an Ancestral Pueblo ruins site on the rocky point. The Mockingbird Mesa area in the <b>Canyons of the Ancients</b> is 8.5 miles south on County Road 12 from the junction with County Road BB, west of Pleasant View in southwest Colorado.<br />
<br />
The route zig zags and the road numbers change before arriving at the normally closed gate. As the raven flies, the distance from the Mockingbird Mesa rim to the rocky point is close to 1 mile, but it looks like a difficult crossing and climb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjBlriKMkUY/T5AS6RaxyoI/AAAAAAAAKn4/ACfi8tP1-Eo/s1600/IMG_8435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LjBlriKMkUY/T5AS6RaxyoI/AAAAAAAAKn4/ACfi8tP1-Eo/s400/IMG_8435.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I started my hike 1.8 miles back north along the main road at a point where there is an old corral on the west side. My thought was that I could hike around the heads of the side canyons, or they would be easier to cross. From where I started it is about 3.5 miles to the rocky point, a longer hike but easier walking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhpmuvlFt1M/T5AUNzWWMnI/AAAAAAAAKoE/GdtpRCsttq8/s1600/IMG_8437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UhpmuvlFt1M/T5AUNzWWMnI/AAAAAAAAKoE/GdtpRCsttq8/s640/IMG_8437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I found that it was possible to get around and across the side canyons from the corral starting point. I used a compass and started east, then southeast. There isn’t much visibility when hiking in the Pinon and Juniper forest without a trail, so a compass is valuable to maintain the direction. The carbon dioxide facilities are usually visible from along the canyon rims when the views open up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUhaRIq0dGA/T5AU0yNvRGI/AAAAAAAAKoM/6OqsQLypmYc/s1600/IMG_8451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUhaRIq0dGA/T5AU0yNvRGI/AAAAAAAAKoM/6OqsQLypmYc/s400/IMG_8451.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The north facing boulder is the first sign that the rocky point is actually a ruins site. The remaining rubble and small fragment of a wall section are visible from a distance.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMU4CrNV9pw/T5AWGtL_IrI/AAAAAAAAKoU/jMTu8sY0oPk/s1600/IMG_8442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMU4CrNV9pw/T5AWGtL_IrI/AAAAAAAAKoU/jMTu8sY0oPk/s400/IMG_8442.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a large rock below the elevated boulder. I thought there was a semicircular level plaza in front of this rock outlined with some large stones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMzScXHk3Ws/T5AW0eioK6I/AAAAAAAAKog/d9pOYb_ClhU/s1600/IMG_8458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vMzScXHk3Ws/T5AW0eioK6I/AAAAAAAAKog/d9pOYb_ClhU/s640/IMG_8458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The site on the rocky top is larger than it first appears. The rubble piles extend over most of the length of the level rocky surface. This site has one of the more <b>dramatic locations</b> with commanding views all around the area. Except for the north facing plaza, I didn't see any structures below the cliffs of the rocky top.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Sp7ZLyJCM/T5AYVlZvjsI/AAAAAAAAKoo/VqPCiHlS9MM/s1600/IMG_8474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u9Sp7ZLyJCM/T5AYVlZvjsI/AAAAAAAAKoo/VqPCiHlS9MM/s400/IMG_8474.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I always think it is interesting that these sites can see each other. From this high obvious view point, the ruins site that is near the carbon dioxide plant is in range as are the several sites that are below the east rim. There is also a boulder site 1.5 miles north of the carbon dioxide plant that can see this point. There might be a mesa top site in a cleared area to the north of this canyon site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9cItJHYgqc/T5AY9kRCTMI/AAAAAAAAKo0/kksGfPgNpfI/s1600/IMG_8490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J9cItJHYgqc/T5AY9kRCTMI/AAAAAAAAKo0/kksGfPgNpfI/s400/IMG_8490.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It took me 3:30 hours to arrive here, but I was walking slowly and scanning around a lot with binoculars. I visited the site for about 0:30 minutes. I had also walked out onto the point that is just to the west of this point. I spent about 1:00 hour looking around but didn't notice any ruins sites there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfJvwZWuKBQ/T5AaGWOgqCI/AAAAAAAAKo8/2GeXhLaQZeo/s1600/IMG_8448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfJvwZWuKBQ/T5AaGWOgqCI/AAAAAAAAKo8/2GeXhLaQZeo/s400/IMG_8448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The return hike also included a lot of scanning and slow walking and took 2:50 hours making this a long hike of 6:45 hours for about 8 miles. I carried and drank 3 liters of water on a mild 65 F degree mid April day.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.649;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=89082WC;usg=AFHzDLuVBvi-dECVmE6N_JF8zVf9mc75QA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fadventure-medical-kits-pocket-survival-pak.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2426.94;title=Adventure+Medical+Kits...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F89082.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.648;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=89082;usg=AFHzDLv1qXcFQkNJu3V0ntxIoJJdGmmLMw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fadventure-medical-kits-pocket-survival-pak.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2426.94;title=Adventure+Medical+Kits...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2F8900%2F89082.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.665;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=64810;usg=AFHzDLslnpTMkcQ5CjzvUFUr_28QQZtpYg;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fadventure-medical-kits-sol-original-survival-tool.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2434.99;title=Adventure+Medical+Kits...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F64810.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>
<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="18407_$5 Shipping on Orders of $99 or More!" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802338761&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-42931598711323685792012-04-05T17:16:00.000-07:002012-09-15T14:40:52.375-07:00Mockingbird Mesa Northeast<br />
The <b>Mockingbird Mesa</b> area in the <b>Canyons of the Ancients</b> is 8.5 miles south on County Road 12 from the junction with County Road BB, west of Pleasant View in southwest Colorado. The route zig zags and the road numbers change before arriving at the normally closed gate near a carbon dioxide gas plant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJHk6MxXgGo/T34woe_kyBI/AAAAAAAAKdk/55J1Kgxw7dE/s1600/IMG_8066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iJHk6MxXgGo/T34woe_kyBI/AAAAAAAAKdk/55J1Kgxw7dE/s400/IMG_8066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
From the closed gate there is a way between the buildings to the east rim of Mockingbird Mesa. Turning north behind the plant there is a large rubble pile mesa top Ancestral Pueblo ruins site overgrown by sagebrush and the Pinon and Juniper forest. This is the easiest unpublicized ruins site to find in the Mockingbird area.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6vx-mGlFeY/T34xRNqLOzI/AAAAAAAAKdw/-3v52pqGGO4/s1600/IMG_8020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X6vx-mGlFeY/T34xRNqLOzI/AAAAAAAAKdw/-3v52pqGGO4/s400/IMG_8020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
On this hike I continued north along the mesa top rim. A short distance north, there is a gap in the cliffs that allows an easy descent to the lower levels of cliffs. There is also the option to climb back to the highest cliff level. I chose to continue on a middle level, but not all the way to the canyon bottom. This canyon appears to be a side canyon of Sandstone Canyon. The hike I called Mockingbird Mesa Below the Rim finds some ruins sites in this same vicinity.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TQgldHXwoI/T34yREAgooI/AAAAAAAAKd4/xpLIweyJUqQ/s1600/IMG_8028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TQgldHXwoI/T34yREAgooI/AAAAAAAAKd4/xpLIweyJUqQ/s400/IMG_8028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After about 1:10 hours of slow hiking, about 1.5 miles, there is a <b>large boulder</b> visible with rubble on top. I didn't see this until I was about 100 yards from it. It is visible from a much further distance from the higher levels of cliffs, but would be harder to approach from above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--faOeieNRqA/T34y4kc3h8I/AAAAAAAAKeA/lFaA1kUUres/s1600/IMG_8033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--faOeieNRqA/T34y4kc3h8I/AAAAAAAAKeA/lFaA1kUUres/s640/IMG_8033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
In front of the large boulder, there seems to be a semi-circular retaining wall, forming what looks like a small plaza.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R75maAZSe2M/T34z9Lm3elI/AAAAAAAAKeM/ItUZz_zkWPA/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R75maAZSe2M/T34z9Lm3elI/AAAAAAAAKeM/ItUZz_zkWPA/s400/IMG_8039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Most of the structure that was on the boulder top has fallen into the gap between the main boulder and an adjacent boulder. A small wall section encloses a minor alcove. This site looks like an isolated tower with a few features below, but not a village. From the boulder top area, it appears that there is a good line of sight with the large rubble pile site that is behind the carbon dioxide plant near the starting point.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoX6EEFPars/T340aIbaF0I/AAAAAAAAKeU/qcEwQJoNMiU/s1600/IMG_8049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoX6EEFPars/T340aIbaF0I/AAAAAAAAKeU/qcEwQJoNMiU/s400/IMG_8049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There are some large boulders above the ruins site to climb for a view of the top of the ruins boulder. There are also two levels of cliffs above the site that can be climbed for better views of the canyon area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-isnBX5OpqV4/T341d_RrMfI/AAAAAAAAKec/V-jbEVnkX08/s1600/IMG_8061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-isnBX5OpqV4/T341d_RrMfI/AAAAAAAAKec/V-jbEVnkX08/s400/IMG_8061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I continued further north slowly for about 0:30 minutes and noticed a couple of places where there were stones piled to form a low wall. These walls didn’t seem to be associated with any other structures so it is puzzling what they are.<br />
<br />
My return hike was along the highest level of cliffs. From here I could see the site I had just visited from a distance, but didn’t see any other sites in this area. My total hike took 3:50 hours for about 4 miles. I carried and drank 2 liters of water on a 65 F early April day.<br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534756.131;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000028505128;pid=PIO1032;usg=AFHzDLu03fIMTvC0yQMds8vDWRjNLe3tfQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.wayfair.com%252FSteiner-Binoculars-7x50-Commander-V-Binoculars-with-Compass-392-L2042-K%257EPIO1032.html;pubid=537325;price=%24999.98;title=%227x50+Commander+V+Bino...;merc=Wayfair;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fcommon1.csnimages.com%2Flf%2F49%2Fhash%2F4339%2F2602992%2F1%2F1.jpg;width=85;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-37769769074342355192012-03-30T09:48:00.001-07:002012-10-28T14:29:47.223-07:00Woods Canyon North<br />
An access to the north end of <b>Woods Canyon</b> in the <b>Canyons of the Ancients</b> can be found at the junction of County Roads U and 14, west of the community of Yellow Jacket in southwest Colorado. Turn west off of Highway 491 onto County Road Y at Yellow Jacket. Continue west for a few miles to County Road 15 and turn south.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnhgBSkETwo/So6Sdf-LO-I/AAAAAAAAF4w/4RAVeS1oD2k/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rnhgBSkETwo/So6Sdf-LO-I/AAAAAAAAF4w/4RAVeS1oD2k/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Across the road from the Carbon Dioxide gas plant there is room to pull off the gravel road and park by the Canyons of the Ancients sign. There is an old road starting here that leads down for a relatively easy descent into this canyon. There is a gate in the fence back to the east if you can’t climb over the fence.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqu2AB6JZb4/T3Xgcnw1nsI/AAAAAAAAKcw/sFVc7WNP2uw/s1600/IMG_7957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqu2AB6JZb4/T3Xgcnw1nsI/AAAAAAAAKcw/sFVc7WNP2uw/s400/IMG_7957.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The road leads to the bottom of a canyon that appears to be a short side canyon of Woods Canyon. The trail continues north and west down the side canyon to the main canyon where there is a junction with trail segments going northeast and southwest. I continued northeast, up the main canyon. To the south there are some major power lines crossing high above the canyon. The somewhat well known <b>Woods Canyon Pueblo</b> is to the south of this trail junction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFH08gp893o/T3XhG3tTwVI/AAAAAAAAKc8/7LkRgVcPTUY/s1600/IMG_7978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFH08gp893o/T3XhG3tTwVI/AAAAAAAAKc8/7LkRgVcPTUY/s400/IMG_7978.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The road north seems to fizzle out after about 0.5 miles from the junction. There are two main branches of the head of Woods Canyon. Scanning ahead with binoculars, I could see some large boulders with rubble on the top about 0.5 miles ahead on the west side of the eastern branch.<br />
<br />
There are cow trails that continue along the creek bottom to the area below these large boulders. The ruins site is hard to see from the trail so you have use the background cliffs as a guide.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pqnh1_YfQ8/So6ScTdo0-I/AAAAAAAAF4g/OMxYL2p-9WA/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3pqnh1_YfQ8/So6ScTdo0-I/AAAAAAAAF4g/OMxYL2p-9WA/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
There is quite a bit of flowing water in the creek bottom, with even bulrush growing here in the summer. Besides the Pinon Pines and Utah Juniper there were large patches of Gambel Oak in this canyon. This seemed like a promising habitat, relatively lush with vegetation.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fof31c4SOiw/So6Rpf73j3I/AAAAAAAAF4Y/uoEGCWW6egI/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fof31c4SOiw/So6Rpf73j3I/AAAAAAAAF4Y/uoEGCWW6egI/s400/046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This south facing site seemed to be a large one, spread out around several very large boulders and against the canyon rim cliffs, making use of some modest alcoves. I didn't see an easy trail up toward the canyon rim but most hikers should be able to make it up. The rubble piles around the site were pretty extensive and there were several circular depressions with extensive rubble that the amateur would guess were kivas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6TX_52lVhg/T3XiPBpjXLI/AAAAAAAAKdE/mLL4PG3oDSg/s1600/IMG_7981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6TX_52lVhg/T3XiPBpjXLI/AAAAAAAAKdE/mLL4PG3oDSg/s400/IMG_7981.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The builders made use of the gaps between the boulders as well as the alcoves against the cliffs. I didn’t see any easy way to get all the way to the top of the canyon rim from the ruins site. Some of the sites in the area have structures on the rim and more that spill down the canyon side. Here, I couldn't see anything on the rim. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSfP0qhtXOM/T3XivaybKwI/AAAAAAAAKdQ/CAkjnkUTys4/s1600/IMG_7987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FSfP0qhtXOM/T3XivaybKwI/AAAAAAAAKdQ/CAkjnkUTys4/s640/IMG_7987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Except for the rubble on top of one of the large boulders, this site would be hard to spot from the distance. The remains are mostly rubble piles and are hidden by the thick forest. It wasn't possible to step back and get a good overall view. To visit the site I had to wind around all the tall boulders and trees, without seeing what was ahead.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgEpeMmiNzQ/T3Xj2GLndZI/AAAAAAAAKdY/__HFkncYoI8/s1600/IMG_7968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xgEpeMmiNzQ/T3Xj2GLndZI/AAAAAAAAKdY/__HFkncYoI8/s400/IMG_7968.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On this hike I also looked around the western arm of the canyon head and a little on the mesa top area between the two arms of the canyon head, but without noticing any other ruins sites. A hike to just this ruins site would take about 3:00 hours for about 4 miles With my exploring and scanning and visiting the site my total hike took about 5:30 hours. I carried 2 liters of water on an 65 F degree mid March day. <br />
<br />
<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.724;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=90047GRE;usg=AFHzDLt8OSJJgo-yDbYRWFw0Be_f6pE1gw;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fvictorinox-swiss-army-soldier-knife.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2450.99;title=Victorinox+Swiss+Army+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fknives%2F90047%2F90047_gre.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.725;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=90058;usg=AFHzDLsDsOKwq6e0VQqn27LYieqm83mQ2w;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fvictorinox-swiss-army-hiker-firestarter-combo-knife.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2436.99;title=Victorinox+Swiss+Army+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F90058.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6696023.726;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000000029314060;pid=89914YEL;usg=AFHzDLtRGWkN1qPrWZIs9B3tC8HTdivVNA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.campmor.com%252Fvictorinox-swiss-army-knife-rescue-tool.shtml;pubid=537325;price=%2476.98;title=Victorinox+Swiss+Army+...;merc=Campmor;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.campmor.com%2Fwcsstore%2FCampmor%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Facc%2F89914%2F89914_yel.jpg;width=78;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002EOULAE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-61634265036085596232012-03-25T16:27:00.006-07:002012-03-26T17:27:44.475-07:00Morrison Canyon North Rim<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Morrison Canyon</b> is a major side canyon of <b>Trail Canyon</b> on the southeast side of the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in southwest Colorado. This part of the Canyons of the Ancients was acquired in 2004 and was formerly part of the 2000 acre Trail Canyon Ranch.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hk2PElKTGpk/T2-oqa2luWI/AAAAAAAAKaA/3IRO3YaBIFY/s1600/IMG_7819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hk2PElKTGpk/T2-oqa2luWI/AAAAAAAAKaA/3IRO3YaBIFY/s400/IMG_7819.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The access I used started at the junction of County Road P and County Road 18, west of Highway 491, and continued south on Road 18 until it made a west turn and there is a green gate visible. The last mile of County Road 18 is a rough dirt road. This access is shown on the current Canyons of the Ancients maps available at the Anasazi Heritage Center Near Dolores, CO. Older maps will show this area as still private property. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGCKFfDZwFE/T2-pRHSe_oI/AAAAAAAAKaI/R0gfv4IQ9Ss/s1600/IMG_7826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lGCKFfDZwFE/T2-pRHSe_oI/AAAAAAAAKaI/R0gfv4IQ9Ss/s400/IMG_7826.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is an old road inside the green gate that leads east for a short distance, and then a rougher trail leads southeast and arrives at the west rim of Trail Canyon after about 10 minutes of hiking. I looked around this canyon rim for about 0:40 minutes without noticing any Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites, and then returned to the starting point.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnAY5xan5Ho/T2-qkFWoXOI/AAAAAAAAKaQ/tL3J_C--auY/s1600/IMG_7828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NnAY5xan5Ho/T2-qkFWoXOI/AAAAAAAAKaQ/tL3J_C--auY/s400/IMG_7828.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The advantage of returning to the starting point is that you can hike south around the heads of two side canyons without having to descend and climb out again. I walked parallel to a fence that runs north and south. After 0:10 minutes of hiking I noticed a small array of <b>sharp edged rocks</b> that seemed to be in a completely random location. I didn't see anything that resembled a ruins site in the vicinity. It was as if someone had decided to abandon their collection on a convenient ledge.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61I7cFfiuhA/T2-rLFIeGtI/AAAAAAAAKac/-1M9smob9BU/s1600/IMG_7831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61I7cFfiuhA/T2-rLFIeGtI/AAAAAAAAKac/-1M9smob9BU/s400/IMG_7831.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">About 0:15 minutes further on there is a <b>low block dam</b> on a wide sandstone outcrop. This looked like the work of ranchers, but they could have been making improvements on a more ancient work. I think there is a small lake near the Goodman Point Pueblo where ranchers made upgrades to much older structures. Mummy Lake at Far View on Mesa Verde is an example of Ancestral Pueblo water supply engineering.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eawv1dNLbPs/T2-sNIlLZzI/AAAAAAAAKak/u7P3Axm5tPM/s1600/IMG_7837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Eawv1dNLbPs/T2-sNIlLZzI/AAAAAAAAKak/u7P3Axm5tPM/s400/IMG_7837.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I stopped at the<b> north rim of Morrison Canyon</b> where there are steep cliffs in the vicinity of the fence. The Canyons of the Ancients continues across the canyon and there may be access to the east rim of Goodman Canyon on the other side. <b>Sleeping Ute Mountain</b> is poking its head up beyond the mesa top. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The online article describing the Morrison Canyon area mentions that there are ten important archaeological sites including pit houses, a pueblo, a granary, and a field house. The area also provides wildlife habitat and is an important part of the McElmo watershed.</span><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lXgFLqBU8E/T2-s1BmQbTI/AAAAAAAAKas/Lj5jh1CaKvg/s1600/IMG_7843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lXgFLqBU8E/T2-s1BmQbTI/AAAAAAAAKas/Lj5jh1CaKvg/s400/IMG_7843.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the return hike I noticed a<b> rubble pile site </b>along the fence line about 0:15 minutes of hiking directly west of my starting point. This rubble pile was very overgrown with sage brush and had some ranching artifacts mixed in with the rubble. My total hike in the MorrisonCanyon area took 3:50 hours for 3 or 4 miles on a 68 F degree late March day. I carried and drank 2 liters of water. This appeared to be an area that gets very few visitors.</span></div><br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0898869498&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0898868564&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-44730291595130486452012-03-23T09:13:00.006-07:002012-09-15T14:41:38.065-07:00Burro Canyon south to Moccasin Canyon<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The area south of the southwest side of <b>Burro Canyon</b> is part of the <b>Moccasin Canyon</b> drainage in the Canyons of the Ancients in southwest Colorado. An unmarked rough road provides a good hiking trail leading south into this area. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The trail is 4.8 miles west of the Canyons of the Ancients entrance sign on the west extension of County Road N. This entrance sign is 1.2 miles west of the north trailhead of the popular Sand Canyon Trail.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibioZfjGOIw/T2yf-G72ZNI/AAAAAAAAKZM/M9h6yfBv3Bk/s1600/IMG_7787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibioZfjGOIw/T2yf-G72ZNI/AAAAAAAAKZM/M9h6yfBv3Bk/s400/IMG_7787.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At this same starting point, there is also a trail into the southwest part of Burro Canyon, marked as Road 4526 on the north side of the main road. The south leading trail descends through Pinon Pine and Juniper forest with good canyon views to the south. This route appears to get some ATV use.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9HChsXxHHU/T2ygkKJMS8I/AAAAAAAAKZU/Wr7Dqrtd8VQ/s1600/IMG_7818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V9HChsXxHHU/T2ygkKJMS8I/AAAAAAAAKZU/Wr7Dqrtd8VQ/s400/IMG_7818.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There are several side roads off of this trail. After about 1:00 hour of hiking there is a Y junction that can be used to make a loop hike. I stayed to the left and ended up returning on the right. The terrain changes as the elevation drops with more sagebrush and grassland. The area has a dry look and I didn’t see any sign of seeping water here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdDhCU-cBAQ/T2yhy9sWVVI/AAAAAAAAKZc/e_PNF6tX00Y/s1600/IMG_7800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdDhCU-cBAQ/T2yhy9sWVVI/AAAAAAAAKZc/e_PNF6tX00Y/s400/IMG_7800.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The trail makes the loop turn at the base of a small rocky mesa. Up to this point, I hadn't noticed any Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites and I thought this mesa top would be the most likely place to look before turning back. I was 1:45 hours into my hike when I arrived on the mesa top.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sG-P4EQY894/T2yibKti0RI/AAAAAAAAKZo/RDDcz1_Zays/s1600/IMG_7808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sG-P4EQY894/T2yibKti0RI/AAAAAAAAKZo/RDDcz1_Zays/s640/IMG_7808.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a slightly higher hilltop connected to the mesa top. Along the south facing rim of the mesa top are some of the rocky sheltered spots that seem to be often used as building sites, but I didn’t notice anything. The scenery is very dramatic in all directions.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I spent about 1:00 hour looking around on the mesa and hilltop, mostly enjoying the wide views. I saw a place on east end where some rocks were stacked into a low wall but it didn’t look like a ruins site. I didn’t see any pottery shards anywhere along this hike.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovBRV1_cNmE/T2yj524alpI/AAAAAAAAKZw/dLAGF-sZ_GA/s1600/IMG_7810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ovBRV1_cNmE/T2yj524alpI/AAAAAAAAKZw/dLAGF-sZ_GA/s400/IMG_7810.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">To the southwest I think the spires of Monument Valley are visible. The Bears Ears in southeast Utah can be spotted from this high viewpoint. From the hilltop the other side of the loop trail is visible. It took me 2:20 hours to return to the starting point for a total hike of 5:00 hours for about 6 miles. I hiked on a 56 F degree late March day and carried 2 liters of water.</span></div>
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1580087671&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001ID4ZY0&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00186YU4M&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-81616356278375915322012-03-18T08:30:00.005-07:002012-03-23T08:07:35.960-07:00Burro Canyon SoutheastThe access to the <strong>Burro Canyon</strong> area of the Canyons of the Ancients is along the west extension of County Road N, northwest of Cortez in southwest Colorado. About 1.2 miles west of the north trailhead of the popular Sand Canyon Trail, the road there is a sign marking the re-entrance to the Canyons of the Ancients. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opjw-EWkOvY/T2X-ScKvdiI/AAAAAAAAKX4/AJIOz5NXbgI/s1600/IMG_7738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opjw-EWkOvY/T2X-ScKvdiI/AAAAAAAAKX4/AJIOz5NXbgI/s400/IMG_7738.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>I started hiking at the sign and started north into the Pinon Pine and Juniper forest, looking at the hilltops and a long side canyon that leads north to Yellowjacket Canyon. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hz4XC_3jQNM/T2X_K8lotSI/AAAAAAAAKYE/dR9DpCvNz94/s1600/IMG_7743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hz4XC_3jQNM/T2X_K8lotSI/AAAAAAAAKYE/dR9DpCvNz94/s400/IMG_7743.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>I worked west slowly and eventually came across a small Ancestral Pueblo ruins site that overlooks the main road about 0.8 miles west of where I started. Along the road there is a cattle guard with a vague trail leading uphill along a fence. I stated to see pottery shards about 100 yards up this trail and followed the clues uphill to find the rubble pile. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPlVc99fCJE/T2YAtYaaMMI/AAAAAAAAKYM/hAvcWJyVzRQ/s1600/IMG_7750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iPlVc99fCJE/T2YAtYaaMMI/AAAAAAAAKYM/hAvcWJyVzRQ/s400/IMG_7750.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>I didn’t see any intact walls but the locations of these sites are usually interesting. This site is in a sunny location at a relative high point and has a rocky outcrop as a foundation. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fmnycb2k6I/T2YBfIHqUFI/AAAAAAAAKYY/dMT7FMttnFs/s1600/IMG_7752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="480px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fmnycb2k6I/T2YBfIHqUFI/AAAAAAAAKYY/dMT7FMttnFs/s640/IMG_7752.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>I saw what looked like a small display of <strong>stone tools</strong>. These rocks all have sharp edges or sharp points and appear to use several different minerals. Small arrays of pottery shards are common around these seldom visited sites but stone tool displays are unusual. I don’t know for sure that these are tools but they look like they could be. I looked around this area for a total of 2:45 hours before returning to my vehicle and moving further down the road. If you start in the right place, this site can be hiked to in only a few minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jq53qTtfN-k/T2YCxVorzMI/AAAAAAAAKYg/ERaWHFDR8cU/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jq53qTtfN-k/T2YCxVorzMI/AAAAAAAAKYg/ERaWHFDR8cU/s400/IMG_7770.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The main road makes a sharp turn to the right about 1.7 miles west of the Canyons of the Ancients entry sign. Just before this turn there is an easy to miss overgrown old road that runs parallel to the main road for about 1 mile and then rejoins. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lk3mPrTjyNA/T2YDyNjUFKI/AAAAAAAAKYo/mCyMZD8eZkc/s1600/IMG_7760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lk3mPrTjyNA/T2YDyNjUFKI/AAAAAAAAKYo/mCyMZD8eZkc/s400/IMG_7760.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>About 100 yards down this old road there is an overgrown <strong>rubble pile ruins</strong> site. It appears that this segment of road was re-routed to avoid this and another similar site that is about 10 minutes of walking further.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Sup-5qzxOc/T2YFNWp-OdI/AAAAAAAAKY0/dMrp5ANlRis/s1600/IMG_7777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9Sup-5qzxOc/T2YFNWp-OdI/AAAAAAAAKY0/dMrp5ANlRis/s400/IMG_7777.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The second site is so overgrown that no rubble is visible from the old road. The clues for this site are that sagebrush growth seems to be mounded and there are some vague pottery shards along the road. Pushing into the brush, there appear to be several rubble pile structures. This site appears to be larger than the one that is closer to the main road. There are more old roads to explore further west along the south side of Burro Canyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBU4VuaHsbU/T2YF-i6LdXI/AAAAAAAAKY8/RmDhG4S25WU/s1600/IMG_7781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="480px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBU4VuaHsbU/T2YF-i6LdXI/AAAAAAAAKY8/RmDhG4S25WU/s640/IMG_7781.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div>In March 2012 there is some gas well drilling visible on the north side of Burro Canyon and some pipeline installation in progress. The Canyons of the Ancients sits over a large reservoir of Carbon Dioxide that is piped mainly to west Texas and aids in oil recovery. The road improvements that aid the gas well activity also aid access to these interesting backcountry canyon areas. I spent about 1:00 hour on this short side road to the two rubble pile sites on a 60 F degree mid March day.<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0898869498&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0898868564&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4030168992831003564.post-78426965577979349302012-03-11T12:14:00.003-07:002012-03-11T12:29:02.450-07:00Alkali Canyon Northwest<strong>Alkali Canyon</strong> is a tributary to McElmo Canyon on the southeast side of the <strong>Canyons of the Ancients</strong> National Monument in southwest Colorado. The access I used was a west turn onto County Road N off of Highway 491, then a south turn on County Road 20. This area is northwest of Cortez, Colorado. This access is shown on the current Canyons of the Ancients maps that are available at the Anasazi Heritage Center near Dolores, CO.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jYOLWAYIRM/T1z4CAmHc5I/AAAAAAAAKU4/uqt-be8mVsw/s1600/IMG_7656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jYOLWAYIRM/T1z4CAmHc5I/AAAAAAAAKU4/uqt-be8mVsw/s400/IMG_7656.JPG" width="400px" yda="true" /></a></div>At the end of County Road 20 there is a wide circular turn around area. The access is confusing as there are No Hunting signs for the adjacent private property, but no signs indicating that the area to the southeast is part of the Canyons of the Ancients. I think this a recent acquisition as it doesn’t appear on older maps. From the starting point, there is a wide sagebrush and grassland area extending south with Pinon Juniper forest to the east. The west rim of Alkali Canyon is directly east about 1 mile away.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdzfHrAHubM/T1z4wIn9gVI/AAAAAAAAKVA/5BKnLfo-OVw/s1600/IMG_7639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CdzfHrAHubM/T1z4wIn9gVI/AAAAAAAAKVA/5BKnLfo-OVw/s640/IMG_7639.JPG" width="640px" yda="true" /></a></div>I started hiking east toward the forest close to the fence line. After only a few minutes of hiking there is a rubble pile Ancestral Pueblo ruins site that is somewhat overgrown with sagebrush. This site is located at a relative high point and has good views of the surrounding mountains including Sleeping Ute Mountain.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BEj0Zmnkbc/T1z6SMcIl8I/AAAAAAAAKVM/tLptoxoof9k/s1600/IMG_7644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--BEj0Zmnkbc/T1z6SMcIl8I/AAAAAAAAKVM/tLptoxoof9k/s400/IMG_7644.JPG" width="400px" yda="true" /></a></div>I continued east through the Pinon Juniper forest for 0:40 minutes before arriving at the west rim of Alkali Canyon. I scanned with binoculars but didn’t notice any structures from this view point. From this point I walked along the rim for about 0.5 miles south and then turned back west to the grass land area.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkep4nwS7Q8/T1z62EgdzeI/AAAAAAAAKVU/S9vHUEqAbLk/s1600/IMG_7651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkep4nwS7Q8/T1z62EgdzeI/AAAAAAAAKVU/S9vHUEqAbLk/s400/IMG_7651.JPG" width="400px" yda="true" /></a></div>About 1 mile southeast of the starting point there is a hilltop area with sagebrush and a few trees. In this area there are some old ranch roads that lead into forest and also to the south. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMGakPFbALw/T1z75UhekSI/AAAAAAAAKVc/DFAsmv5qoBo/s1600/IMG_7659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMGakPFbALw/T1z75UhekSI/AAAAAAAAKVc/DFAsmv5qoBo/s400/IMG_7659.JPG" width="400px" yda="true" /></a></div>On the hilltop area I noticed many pottery shards but didn’t see anything that I was sure was a ruins site. From this hilltop the starting point and the rubble pile site were in view. My four mile hike took 2:30 hours and covered the most northwest square mile of the several square miles surrounding Alkali Canyon. I hiked on a 50 F degree early March day. There were a few patches of melting snow in the shady forested area.<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0964582422&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B00339R0IA&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=fourcornershikes8&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1930618751&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0