Jawdropping Cliff Dwellings

Trip Start Feb 20, 2006
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Trip End Feb 28, 2006


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Flag of United States  , Colorado,
Wednesday, February 22, 2006

I headed out early in the morning with a pretty fast-paced agenda: I was doing a circuitous route starting in northwestern New Mexico over to southern Colorado, then through the Carson National Forest into Taos. First off, I drove over an hour out of the way, just to do a bit of BTDT--having a limb in each of four states at the same time at Four Corners, U.S.A. The detour was not as silly as that: The sight of Shiprock Rock's odd shape rising from the desert floor and the majestic mesa of Ute Mountain was worth the trip.

Crossing over the Colorado border was a bit more dramatic than most drives between states. While New Mexico roads had a dusty more-like-Mexico feel lined with pawn shops, the cross over into Colorado heralded smart shops and SUVs galore. The whole raison d'etre for this overstuffed day was to visit the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park Cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park
Cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park
 . My first knowledge of the existence of dwellings dating back almost 2 millenia in the continental U.S. was in the Asanazi village ruins by Grand Canyon. One look of the photo of the cliff dwellings and Mesa Verde shot close to the top of my travel wish list.

I took the turnoff towards what was known as the clifftop drive, stopped at a sign pointing to the Square Tower. I walked along the path but not seeing much of interest, even at the end of the path. Then I turned and glimpse down just beneath my feet and just nestled behind a tree was the Square tower--golden in the light.

These well-preserved homes nestled under ledges of the canyon lip were certainly spectacular. I even got up close and personal with these homes, exploring the Spruce Tree site.

With still the majority of driving left, I grudgingly pulled myself out of the ranger-led walk and drove to Durango. This is a charming little town oozing the wild west while sucking in the dollars. A quick late lunch and a walk around the shops, I headed out once again. I passed through Pogosa Springs, reluctantly bypassing the natural springs.

The sun was low by now so I gassed up and continued on my way, just getting glimpses of the Carson National Forest before darkness settled in.

It was pitch dark when I drove by the Earthships and the Rio Grande gorge just before rolling into Taos.

What a day! Driving for about 10 hours--but the sight of of Mesa Verde--well worth it!
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