Today we began Day 2 of our Road Trip by rising early (but not too early) and after a hearty continental breakfast at the hotel we began the 1:15 hr 54.5 mile trip to Mesa Verde National Park.
After paying our entrance fee ($15.00 per car) and driving 15 miles up a winding steep road (even by Colorado standards) we reach the visitor center. A line of people waiting in line for guided tours wrapped around the surprisingly small building. We decided to forgo the guided tour and head into the center to see what the park had to offer “self-tour” wise. After talking to a helpful Ranger, picking up a Mesa Verde Jr. Ranger Handbook (FREE), and a few self guide pamphlets (free to borrow, $.50 donation if you choose to keep) we headed back to the car and back onto great adventures within the park.
Our first stop was barley a mile away to a small site called Far View. The Ranger we talked to back at the visitor center said this is a must see. Lots of history and rarely visited. She did not lie. When we arrived there was only one other family at this site, and they soon left after we arrived. This site was a large Anasasi Farming community from A.D. 900 to about A.D. 1300 and consists of a small looping trail (about .5 mile I am guessing) in which you get to see the “middle age” of the Mesa Verde park. We spend over an hour and a half leisurely walking the trail and seeing (now on retrospect) some of the best Mesa Verde has to offer. Personally, the most interesting item on this trail was Mummy Lake. A huge man made reservoir made around 900-1100 A.D. Now dry, I found it interesting that ancient people could make such an elaborate system to hold water.
After we completed the trail back in the car we went and headed down about 5 miles to the “Spruce Tree House”. This spot is probably what most folks think of when they think of Mesa Verde and consists of a large cliff dwelling established in the late 1200’s.
We did not head down into the cliff dwellings as we were getting hungry and the Spruce Tree House does have a small cafeteria, so we had to eat. The food was pretty good, but not great.
After lunch we made a quick stop in the Capin Mesa Museum so the boy could finish some research for the Jr Ranger program. The museum was an interesting stop, but if it were not for the Jr Ranger program I think we could have skipped it, but I digress. We located a Park Ranger and Michael was sworn in for a second time in two days as an official Jr Ranger of the National Park Service.
Finally, down the steep trail to the only Self-Guided Cliff dwelling in the park called the Spruce Tree House. Although interesting I didn’t think it was “all that”. Most of the dwelling is off limits (understandably) and was just a bit of a let down after having full access to the ruins of Far View. We spent maybe 20 minutes exploring The Spruce Tree House and headed back up the trail (which was a bit harder than coming down I tell you) to the car.
By now the boy is hot and getting tired so we decide to finish up this portion of the trip by driving the 6 mile Mesa Top Loop. This loop highlights nearly 1400 years of history showing the Pit Houses built (A.D. 600-900), the pueblos (A.D. 900 –1300) and the cliff dwellings (AD 1190-1270). This loop is perfect as it is by car with short walking stops along the way to the views or ruins.
After completing the loop we headed out of the park and headed Southwest to the Four Corners National Monument. A bit disappointed with this stop as the monument seems to have been transformed into a rickety, cheap flea market for the Navajo Nation, but a stop we made nonetheless.
After a brief walk around the monument we headed off to Farmington, New Mexico to spend the night. Staying at the clean (if not crowded) Hampton Inn and having dinner at the delicious Spare Rib BBQ Company.
Tomorrow it’s off to Santa Fe to visit my Brother-In-Law Vic.
You can view photos of today’s trip by going here!
