tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84201646671075296972024-03-12T20:13:25.326-07:00Four Corners Hikes-Mesa VerdeTrails in Mesa Verde National Park and Ute Mountain Tribal Park near Cortez, Colorado. Inludes Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Spruce Tree House, Eagle's Nest House and other Ancestral Pueblo Ruins. Trail Notes and Pictures. Hike for fitness and environmental awareness.Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-79194042181826132692013-02-17T11:20:00.000-08:002013-02-24T06:12:11.276-08:00Mesa Verde Winter Animal Tracks and Signs Interpretive HikeThe <b>Animal Tracks and Signs Interpretive Hike</b> is part of a series of six special hikes in the 2012-2013 Southwest Colorado <b>Winter Ecology Series</b> offered in the Mesa Verde region. The Animal Tracks Hike was re-offered on February 16, 2013 after bad weather made conditions difficult on the original January 23 date.<br />
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The Tracks Hike explored the <b>mountain shrub environment</b> of the 7800 feet elevation <b>Morefield Canyon Campground area.</b> As part of the Mesa Verde effort to attract more winter visitors, 4.8 miles of groomed snow trails have been prepared in the Morefield Campground area.<br />
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Other areas of Mesa Verde also have groomed winter trails and the Mesa Verde web site has maps and up to date information on the conditions of these trails. There has been more snow in the 2013 winter than relatively light 2012. (Use the “snowshoe hikes” label to find these other trails.)<br />
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Mesa Verde National Park received a grant of $9765 from the <b>Active Trails Program</b> of the National Parks Foundation in 2012 to develop winter snow shoe and ski trails. Part of the funding was used to purchase snow shoes that are available for free loan to anyone interested in winter hiking at the park. They are available at the new Visitor Center and the Chapin Mesa Museum.<br />
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The first part of the hike included an introduction to animal tracks and emphasized <b>Gestalt Tracking</b>. Gestalt is a German word for form or shape. It is used in English to refer to a concept of wholeness.<br />
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Individual animal tracks in snow might be hard to identify, but the using of the gestalt approach considers the animals range and habitat for the season, where to the tracks come and go from, what line does it follow (zig zag?). Also consider the size and shape, number of toes, claws, <b>stride and straddle, gait pattern,</b> and other signs like scat and smells. (in the 2012 Winter Ecology Hike there is more information on these details.)<br />
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The Morefield Campground area is dominated by<b> Gambel Oak</b> (Quercus gambelii), while most of Mesa Verde is Pinon and Juniper forest. At one trail stop there was a short discussion of the purplish <b>Colorado</b> <b>Hairstreak Butterfly</b>, (Hypaurotis crysalus) the state butterfly of Colorado since 1996. This choice was due to the steady lobbying of 4th graders from Wheeling Elementary in Aurora, Colorado (led by teacher Melinda Terry).<br />
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This butterfly species depends upon the Gambel oak which is both the favorite roost of adults and usual food source for caterpillars. Eggs are laid singly in late summer on twigs of Gambel oaks or another oak species. The caterpillars emerge in the spring and eat young leaves. Adults feed on tree sap and probably honeydew secreted by other insects rather than on flowers. The species has one flight, usually from mid-June to August.<br />
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The winter ecology brochure available at the trail head also has a paragraph on observing insect formed galls on trees and shrubs but doesn't mention any specific insects.<br />
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There was also a demonstration of the use of <b>motion activated cameras</b> for the purpose of studying wildlife. Some of the current use of these cameras at Mesa Verde is to study the interaction of <b>feral horses</b> with the native deer and elk. There is a current project in the park concerning what to do about the 100-150 feral horses that range through the park and are trampling some of the remote archaeology sites.<br />
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The most common tracks that we saw were coyote and cottontail rabbits. Here, we’re looking at some smaller stride and straddle canine tracks that could be from a fox.<br />
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We also saw tracks that we thought could have been a bobcat, and some that might have been a weasel. We didn't see any mule deer tracks as they prefer to move down to less snowy conditions. We spent about 3:00 hours on the entire hike but only covered about 1 mile in slow walking with frequent stops. It was a perfect sunny 25 F degree mid February morning and there were about 16 hikers in the group.<br />
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The Visitor Center bookstore has a simple pocket<b> field guide to animal tracks</b> available for $5.95. This guide is for all of North America so the user will have to apply the gestalt principle to use it effectively at Mesa Verde.<br />
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<b>Mesa Verde Winter Festival 2013</b><br />
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The first annual Mesa Verde Winter Fun Festival was held on February 23, 2013 in the Morefield Campground area. A main event three-mile fun cross country ski race was held on the Meadow Bliss Trail at 11:00 AM.<br />
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During and after the race there was a hands-on primitive skills demonstration including <b>bow and drill fire</b> <b>starting, atlatl</b> usage and<b> yucca cord </b>making. The fire starting demonstration was actually successful. The bow spun the yucca stalk drill on a piece of soft wood and produced smoke and a small coal. Using some easily combustible plant material that looked like Juniper bark, blowing on the coal produced a flame.<br />
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The atlatl was a device that increased the leverage for throwing spears or arrows. There was a supply of arrows on hand and a small target range was set up. It takes some practice to get the hang of throwing.<br />
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It was a good day for snow shoe hiking on the Morefield Campground Trails. One of the options includes a <b>flagged route</b> from the parking area to the trail head of the Point Lookout Trail. This route cuts across the north side of the campground loops and includes some segments through the groves of Gambel Oak.<br />
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Part of this route passes through the amphitheater area. Although this isn't a long distance, it takes extra effort to push through the ungroomed snow. In the evening, there was a planned opportunity for skiing or snow shoeing by the full moon.<br />
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<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.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-50987579732750794322013-01-22T10:17:00.001-08:002013-01-25T06:07:53.063-08:00Ancient Skywatchers at the Mesa Verde Sun Temple The <b>Sun Temple</b> is one of ten stops on the <b>Mesa Top from Pithouse to Pueblo Tour </b>at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. The <b>Ancient Skywatchers of the Southwes</b>t Exhibit at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado features the view between the Sun Temple and the famous Cliff Palace.<br />
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On the east side of the Sun Temple, there are views toward Cliff Palace. At the south end of Cliff Palace there is a tall square tower that has interior <b>pictographs</b> near the top. These pictographs can be viewed at the end of the regular Cliff Palace tours by leaning in the doorway and looking up. The Skywatchers Exhibit has some close up pictures of the pictographs.<br />
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A Skywatcher interpretation of these pictographs is that they are a record of observations of the lunar standstill. Every 18.6 years the change from north to south in the monthly orbit of the moon is a maximum and the Ancestral Pueblo Skywatchers seemed to be aware of this.<br />
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The Chimney Rock National Monument near Pagosa Springs, Colorado is thought to be a site where the lunar standstill was observed between the unusual Chimney Rock peaks.<br />
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There are boulders on the north side of the Sun Temple that allow a view into the interior of the structure where there are two circular structures. It is possible that the Cliff Palace view toward the setting moon during the lunar standstill passed between these two circular structures like a gun sight, similar to the view at Chimney Rock.<br />
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It isn't possible for visitors to see between the circular structures now, but researchers with survey equipment have made this observation.<br />
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On the southwest corner of the Sun Temple, there is an unusual depression in the rocks with rays radiating out. The trail guide for the Mesa Top Tour says that Jesse Walter Fewkes thought this small basin was a <b>“solar marker</b>”. It may have been a place to leave offerings to the sun.<br />
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On the boulders on the north side of the Sun Temple, there is a <b>small circular basin</b>. Researchers have found about 200 small basins like this at Mesa Verde and it may be a Skywatcher observation point.<br />
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During the winter, the Mesa Top Tour road is cleared of snow and there are ten sites to visit. This is a reasonable place to walk when other park trails are snow covered.<br />
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Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-54556673902856154632012-12-22T13:10:00.003-08:002013-01-03T16:16:55.791-08:00Mesa Verde New Visitor Center <br />
The new <b>Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center</b> opened for visitors in mid December 2012. It is located just outside the main park entrance and there is no charge to enter.<br />
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For visitors, it provides an introduction to the park and includes tickets for the main tours and a bookstore. The Chapin Mesa Museum continues as the main place to see artifacts and detailed explanations.<br />
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One of the displays inside the entrance discusses the steps taken to make this new facility a <b>very green</b> <b>building</b>. Emphasis was placed on conserving energy and water, and using environmentally friendly materials. The building is highly insulated and has large windows that capture solar heat in winter but prevent heat loss. Photovoltaic panels capture sunlight and convert it to electrical power.<br />
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The Ancestral Pueblo archaeology introduction uses a format of the questions of <b>Who are we? Why were we here? How did we live here? And where are we now?</b> The how did we live here segment has the most eye catching display. On one side there is a figure climbing hand and toe holds.<br />
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Below the climber, a <b>woman at a seep spring</b> uses a pottery dipper to transfer water to a pottery jar. All of the interpretive signs provide tips where in the park you can see real examples of the images depicted, such as actual seep springs with similar small chiseled basins.<br />
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The opposite side of the same display shows a stone worker shaping one of the many sandstone bricks needed for the extensive structures. The development of masonry and building styles is one of the most amazing aspects of Mesa Verde. <br />
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The Where are we now exhibit shows a map of where current pueblo people live. One of the main questions about Mesa Verde is what caused the burst of alcove building in the 1200s and why did the Ancestral Pueblo people then abandon the area so abruptly about 1300 AD.<br />
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This exhibit includes some <b>audio samples of the languages </b>that are now spoken by Pueblo people. Four different Pueblo languages are mentioned plus the Navajo language.<br />
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Most of the new facility is devoted to research and <b>storage of artifact collections</b>. There are large windows that provide a glimpse into the facility but the view is mostly of cardboard boxes. There is a computer display near the windows that provides some information on the types of materials that are stored here.<br />
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On the north side of the new Visitor Center there are large ramada shaded areas and benches with good <b>views toward Mt. Hesperus and the LaPlata Mountains</b>. My visit was in late December about 9 days after the opening. Despite the winter conditions there was a steady flow of visitors.<br />
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<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=0937407135&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-8420164667107529697.post-64238904722371555862012-09-23T08:50:00.003-07:002012-09-24T05:58:02.366-07:00Hike and Bike on Wetherill Mesa <br />
Wetherill Mesa at Mesa Verde has the second largest concentration of Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites in the park, but is usually only open in the summer season between Memorial Day and Labor Day.<br />
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The southwest Colorado National Park held a special <b>Wetherill Mesa Hike and Bike day</b> on September 22, 2012. The Wetherill Mesa Road was open to entry from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM with all visitors leaving by 4:30 PM.<br />
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The 5.4 mile paved tram road is open for hiking and biking to the several sites. Visitors park at the information kiosk as usual, and then set out on the tram road or the normal hiking trail. Staying on the tram trail, the first attraction is the 1 mile round trip Nordenskiold Site #16 Trail.
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The Nordenskiold Trail leads to a lookout point of the No. 16 site that features about 50 rooms and 5 or 6 kivas. This site has a round tower on the right side and perhaps a squarish kiva on the left side. There is a site diagram on the interpretive sign at the overlook point.<br />
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A small ruins site in visible with binoculars across the scenic Rock Canyon when looking to the west from the same viewpoint.<br />
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<b>Long House</b> is a good place to visit on the Hike and Bike days. The hike along the tram trail to the Long House trailhead is about 0.75 miles and takes me about 20 minutes if there are no other stops. Normally, visitors arrive on the tram and hike in groups of up to 60 with no little opportunity to pause along the trail and take in the views or examine the Pinon Pine and Utah Juniper forest.<br />
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This is a good opportunity to notice Long House details that might normally be missed. I noticed a doorway on the right side of the large Long House site that seems to have an <b>inside stairway</b> leading down to it.
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In the same area I noticed a T-shaped doorway. There is some mystery about this type of doorway. Is it practical or does it have some symbolic meaning.<br />
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After visiting Long House, I returned on the tram road and walked back to the busy kiosk. As part of the special day, a hamburger or hot dog and chips lunch was available at the kiosk for $5 or $6. My hike and visit to the Nordenskiold Trail and Long House took 2:30 hours for about 4 miles of walking. It was an 80 F degree late September day and there were dozens of other visitors enjoying the day.<br />
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Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-1715240951899303002012-09-07T09:01:00.003-07:002012-09-11T05:49:40.135-07:00Inside Mesa Verde Square Tower House <br />
During the 2012 season at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado, ranger guided hikes into the <b>Square Tower House</b> site were offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May 26 to June 16 and from September 4 to October 6. These tours start at 8:00 AM and last about 2 or 2.5 hours. There is a $25 charge and reservations have to be made. Each tour is limited to 10 hikers.<br />
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Square Tower House site was occupied from the mid 1100s to the late 1200s. The site contains about 49 rooms and 8 kivas. The eye catching structures are the 28 foot tall Square Tower and the Crow’s Nest high in a crevice.<br />
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The Square Tower House alcove isn't as deep as some of the other large sites at Mesa Verde. This might explain the exceptional height of the Square Tower House. The builders were forced to build upwards to add more rooms.<br />
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On the left side, there is a rebuilt section against the back of the alcove that was supervised by <b>Jesse Walter</b> <b>Fewkes</b> in 1919 to prepare the site for visitation by the public. Square Tower House was visited by the public in the 1920s and 1930s but has been visible only from the overlook until tours resumed in 2011.<br />
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From the right side view it appears that the all but the top floor have entry ways on the front and the right side. It also appears that there were <b>balconies</b> on the right side.<br />
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The lowest levels of the Square Tower have some <b>T-shaped doorways</b>. This is the tallest structure in Mesa Verde.<br />
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Like many of the large alcove sites at Mesa Verde, the builders incorporated the naturally occurring boulders into the structures.<br />
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Our group of 10 spent a total of 2:30 hours visiting Square Tower House on an early September morning. It was comfortably cool 60 F degrees at 8:00 AM and most of the hike is in shade.<br />
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Around the corner from Square Tower House is the seldom seen Little Long House. The 2011 and 2012 Square Tower House tours haven’t gone there but probably could.
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Little Long House is supposed to have a better source of water than Square Tower House.<br />
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(There is another post on Square Tower House that shows more of the overall features. Use the labels Square Tower House Guided Hike to find.)<br />
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Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-75885548153500577832012-08-19T08:39:00.000-07:002013-01-22T10:19:08.325-08:00Spruce Canyon Trail on Chapin Mesa <br />
The <b>Spruce Canyon Trail </b>is one of two <b>2.4 mile trails</b>, along with the Petroglyph Trail, that start at the Spruce Tree House trail head next to the Chapin Mesa Museum in Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado.<br />
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From the trail head paved switchbacks descend into the canyon to Spruce Tree House, one of the major Ancestral Pueblo Ruins sites that can be entered. It is possible to hike the Spruce Canyon Trail without passing by the ruin site, but it is a spectacular site and is worth a look even if you've seen it before.<br />
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After splitting from the Petroglyph Trail, the Spruce Canyon Trail descends with switchbacks to the bottom of the Douglas Fir dominated side canyon continues south for a short ways then swings north around a canyon junction into the main part of Spruce Canyon. The trail is smoother walking than the nearby Petroglyph Trail. The elevation at the trailhead is about 7000 feet and the descent on the Spruce Canyon Trail is about 500 feet.<br />
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The canyon bottom is dense forest of mostly Gambel Oak with Douglas Firs. There are views of the canyon sides in some places. I scanned the canyon walls for small ruins sites with binoculars but didn't see any. There is a medium sized ruins site along the trail but it isn’t visible from the canyon bottom.
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Climbing back to the canyon rim there are signs pointing the way back to the Chapin Mesa Museum, but there are interesting features along the rim. <br />
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The picnic ground close to the rim was the original park campground and there are views of where you were just hiking.<br />
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Continuing along the rim the trail passes <b>Fewkes Cabin</b>, named for Jesse Walter Fewkes, the pioneer archaeologist who did much of the early work in Mesa Verde. Fewkes was an early proponent of opening the ruins sites to the public as an educational experience. This is the oldest historic building in Mesa Verde. Further on is the original amphitheater. There are still cultural presentations here.<br />
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The trail continues past the old amphitheater to the edge of the overflow parking lot where you can scan the cliffs across Spruce Canyon to the west with binoculars. There is a medium sized ruins site just below the rim, over the Spruce Canyon Trail. There isn't a sign pointing this site out and it doesn't appear on the park map. The Park Rangers say that this site is called <b>Thomas House</b>. Thomas House has a T-shaped door visible.
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Further on, at the tip of the mesa top, the routes for both the Petroglyph Trail and the Spruce Canyon Trail are visible. My hike took 1:50 hours on an 85 F degree mid August day.<br />
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Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-22034091322372440782012-08-13T07:28:00.002-07:002012-08-13T07:30:48.038-07:00Spruce Tree House Ruins Trail<br />
<b>Spruce Tree House</b> at Mesa Verde is the third largest cliff dweller ruin and is a favorite as it is located near a variety of visitor services including the Chapin Mesa Museum, gift shop, and food service.<br />
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There is a paved trail leading down into Spruce Tree Canyon. This trail also is the starting point for the <b>Petroglyph Trail</b> and the <b>Spruce Canyon Trail</b>. Many of the common plants growing in the canyon are also identified along the paved trail. There is a<b> trail guide</b> available that provides interpretation for the site. Many of the plants along the trail are identified with comments on their possible uses.<br />
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The first courtyard represents an area where people lived and worked on good weather days. The three story wall fronts about 20 rooms accessed through the rectangular and <b>key hole</b> shaped openings. There is a layer of soot on the cave ceiling and a kiva in the foreground.<br />
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Kivas are thought to have been the center of spiritual activity and also as a work area and social gathering place. They are designed to give good ventilation, as opposed to the other rooms. Fresh air was drawn in through a ventilation shaft and deflected around the room. Roof beams were supported by the six pilasters distributed around the circle. There appears to be eight kivas as part of the Spruce Tree House site. Three of the Spruce Tree House kivas have reconstructed roofs and one can be entered.<br />
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The section on the right is one of the rare places where some modern reconstruction was done to prevent further collapse. Most of the sites have only had some minor work done for stabilization.<br />
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The view that the people had living here while standing in the plaza was pleasant, very green and sheltered, with the tall Douglas Firs looming overhead. A small spring provided water for this site and aided the plant growth.<br />
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There are two <b>historic inscriptions</b> to look for at Spruce Tree House. The Nordenskiold No. 1 is found near the left rim of the kiva that is discussed at stop 6 on the self guided tour. Nordenskiold was the first scientist to examine Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings in 1891. The Nordenskiold No. 15 is easy to see at Long House on Wetherill Mesa. One of the short trails on Wetherill Mesa is named the Nordenskiold No. 16 Trail, but the inscription isn’t visible.
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Near the right end of the alcove the John Wetherill initials JW are visible. John Wetherill ranged far in the Four Corners area and left initials in many locations.<br />
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<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=B000VU69HC&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=0870816845&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>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-87602956128917815822012-07-26T15:28:00.000-07:002012-12-27T07:20:17.263-08:00Petroglyph Trail Canyon Views<br />
The interpretive <b>Petroglyph Trail</b> travels a 2.4 mile loop below and above the rim of <b>Spruce Canyon</b> in the Chapin Mesa area of Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado.. The trailhead is at the Chapin Mesa Museum and begins with the paved descent to Spruce Tree House. When hiking in the morning, most of this hike is in the shade of the cool canyon.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">There are 34 stops along the trail, emphasizing the plants of the canyon and mesa top and their possible uses to the people and wildlife that live here. The main trees are Pinon Pines, Utah Junipers, and Gambel Oaks with Douglas Firs in the cool shady parts of the canyon. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The mix of shrubs can vary with subtle factors such as facing north or south and the soils. Most of the shrubs that occur at Mesa Verde are pointed out along this trail.</span><br />
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The trail leads to at least three alcoves as it winds its way south just under the canyon rim. One of the alcoves has some <b>small ruins structures</b>. The under the rim route has many steps that have been engineered or carved to make traveling easier, but it is still slow going and rocky, with many ups and downs. The tricky footing, the shade of the tall trees and the wide views encourage stopping and viewing the natural features.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">There are several places where the trail squeezes through narrow cracks in the sandstone cliffs. Across the canyon there are alcoves visible, with binoculars, that have ruins sites. Looking back up Spruce Canyon, the <b>Thomas House</b> ruin is visible. This site is above the Spruce Canyon Trail but isn't visible from the bottom of the canyon where the trail leads.</span><br />
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Further on is the junction with <b>Navajo Canyon</b>. The trail visible on the canyon floor leads to Spring House, a Ranger led hike that was offered in 2010 and 2011
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<span style="background-color: white;">. At the tip of the canyon junction </span><b>Teakettle House</b><span style="background-color: white;"> is visible on the sandstone cliffs.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Beyond interpretive stop 20 and on to 26, the <b>Navajo Watch Tower</b> is visible across the canyon with binoculars. This is a tower at the top of a rounded knob to the right of the drainage, in the first layer of cliffs below the rim layer. It is also visible on the ranger led hike to Spring House.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The highlight of the trail is the <b>petroglyph panel</b> at the far end of the loop. This is a medium sized panel, and is the best known in Mesa Verde. This one is a little unusual in that there are comments in the trail guide offering some interpretation. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">This panel does not seem to be associated with a large ruins site and it not at an obvious canyon junction. Just past the petroglyph panel the trail climbs back to the rim and returns back toward the Chapin Mesa Museum area. (There is a separate post with more views and the interpretation. Use the Petroglyph Trail label to find.)</span><br />
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After the Petroglyph, the trail climbs to the mesa top and loops back toward the trail head. From the mesa top view, <b>Echo House</b> is visible in a large alcove back to the south. The mesa top trail segment is mostly level and smooth.<br />
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In the final segment, there are views of the small storage ruins at the head of the Spruce Tree House side canyon. My hike took 2:00 hours for the 2.4 miles on a 75 F degree late July morning. <br />
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<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=B002K27PZO&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=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-8420164667107529697.post-6829785149726261642012-06-15T05:37:00.000-07:002012-06-15T05:40:02.993-07:00Mug House Kivas<br />
During the 2012 summer season, Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado is offering special hikes to the <b>Mug House</b> ruins site on <b>Wetherill Mesa</b>. These 2 mile round trip hikes are on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays between May 27 and September 2 and begin at 10:00 AM from the Wetherill Kiosk.<br />
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The cost is $25 and reservations are required. Group sizes are limited to 10. This hike was offered during the 2010 season but not in 2011.<br />
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It takes about 0:20 minutes of walking to arrive at the Mug House alcove. There are some minor sites to visit along the way. (See the post from 2010 that shows an overview of the hike, use the Mug House labels to find.) Mug House has about 100 rooms and 8 kivas. The kivas provide some clues to the development of the site. On the left side of the site there are three kivas that can be viewed.
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We were able to climb up and stand between the second and third kiva. The second kiva is thought to represent the first occupation of the Mug House site. The kiva is thought to be associated with the room blocks that are on the ledges above.<br />
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Turning around, the third kiva is thought to represent a later construction. This one is notable for all the layers of plaster that are visible.
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Both the second and third kivas have a keyhole shape, a recess in one end. The third kiva has three surface shafts visible. The one to the right is for ventilation and the one to the left is an entry. The middle one doesn’t have a apparent use. It looks like a small fire pit is in the corner of the walls.<br />
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The right side of Mug House is separate from the left side in that there are no internal passages. One of the right side kivas has an obvious double wall construction style.
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Also on the right side is a kiva that seems to have an exaggerated keyhole recess. On a cold night the recess might be a good place to store firewood and other supplies.<br />
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There is another rounded square kiva on the right side that is too far back into the site to see. Mug House also has a tower structure at each end of the alcove. The Mug House hike takes 2:00 hours. Most of the overall time is in shade. There were seven hikers on the tour I took along with two Rangers. I carried one liter of water and snacks aren't allowed.<br />
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<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-8420164667107529697.post-63424533462290431602012-06-14T06:10:00.002-07:002012-08-13T07:30:22.642-07:00Badger House Trail on Wetherill Mesa<br />
The <b>Badger House Trail</b> is a 0.75 mile one way paved route that visits four sites on <b>Wetherill Mesa</b> in Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. These sites trace some of the development in architecture and living styles of the Ancestral Pueblo People who lived here until mysteriously vanishing around 1300 AD. There is a trail guide with 13 stops and there are also interpretive signs along the trail.<br />
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You can hike through the burned forest to the trail head for the Badger House Trail which is about 0.5 miles from the tram parking area. The Nordenskiold No. 16 Trail is in the same vicinity. The tram also stops at both ends of the trail.<br />
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The first stop on the trail is the Pithouse from about 650 AD. This structure marked the change in life style from nomadic hunting to permanent habitation. This example has a large room and an area that is thought to be for storage. These were covered over with a wood frame and plastered with mud. The entrance was through the roof.<br />
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The second site to visit is the <b>Pueblo Village</b>. From about 750 AD the storage rooms began expanding into several rooms. These structures were more adobe with the beginnings of rock masonry that developed later. This site has a <b>Great Kiva</b> where the soil layers tell some of its story. The size of this Kiva indicates that is was probably a center for a wider group of people that just this set of room blocks.<br />
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The <b>Badger House</b> site, the third of the four on this trail, has the longest kiva and tower tunnel connection yet to be found in the southwest.<br />
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The tunnel here extends for 41 feet. The connection of kivas with towers seems to be common but it is not known why. Current day Pueblo people still use kivas but not towers. The stone work here is thought to be from the 1200s.<br />
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The confusing arrangement of walls is explained as a site that was built on top of an older site. It is thought that much of the above ground material was moved elsewhere, maybe to Long House.<br />
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<b>Two Raven House</b> is the last site on the Badger House Trail. This site is thought to have been occupied from the 900s to the 1100s. It has two unusual features. There is a small circular room that resembles a miniature kiva. Some sites have great kivas but this is a rare mini kiva. There is also evidence for a fence built around the plaza area, maybe as a windbreak, or to fence in or out their domestic turkeys.<br />
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Hikers can return to the trailhead on foot or catch the tram at the end of the trail. There are two short overlook trails to Kodak House and Long House that can only be reached by riding the tram. Hiking from the Wetherill Kiosk and returning, without other stops took me 1:10 hours.<br />
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<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=B000VU69HC&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=0870816845&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>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-24290869153886142492012-05-03T09:27:00.001-07:002013-02-20T18:55:37.411-08:00Chapin Mesa Wildflowers in Early May<br />
On May 2, I hiked several of the short trails on<b> Chapin Mesa</b> in Mesa Verde National Park, looking for the early spring wildflowers. The Chapin Mesa bookstore has a small field guide available, “<b>Wildflowers of Mesa Verde</b>”, for $11.95.<br />
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Some of the major trees and shrubs and a few wildflowers are identified by small signs along the paved trail leading down to Spruce Tree House. The printed trail guide for the Petroglyph Trail identifies many Mesa Verde plants using the numbered stops.<br />
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In early May, the most conspicuous flower is the white five petaled blossom of the <b>Utah Serviceberry,</b> the most common shrub in Mesa Verde. This member of the Rose Family was particularly abundant in the Far View area and on the Far View Sites Trail. A plant that Serviceberry resembles in size and shape is Mountain Mahogany, also in the Rose Family. The Mountain Mahogany has small inconspicuous flowers but has distinctive corkscrew fruits.<br />
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Closer to the Chapin Mesa Visitor Center area, the more eye catching flowering shrub is the <b>Bitterbrush</b> in the Rose Family displaying small yellow flowers. There are many of these around the Visitor Center and a few on the upper part paved trail leading to Spruce Tree House.<br />
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Despite how abundant it is, I didn't see a small sign identifying it. Bitterbrush can be confused with Cliff Rose. I have seen Cliff Rose in dry canyons such as Sand Canyon, west of Cortez, CO, but I don’t think I have seen it at Mesa Verde.<br />
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<b>Fendlerbush</b> has large four petaled white flowers and is a member of the Hydrangea Family. I saw several of these on the Farming Terrace Trail near the series of check dams. The blooms seemed to be just starting on the day I hiked.
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<b>Squaw Apple</b> in the Rose Family has five white petals and from a distance could be confused with the Serviceberry. The leaves of Squaw Apples are long and slender compared to the more oval leaves of Serviceberry. I saw many Squaw Apples in the rim area and short trail to the Square Tower Overlook on the Mesa Top Pithouse to Pueblo Tour.<br />
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<b>Arrowleaf Balsamroots</b> in the Sunflower Family were visible along the main park road from the Park Point area and south toward Far View. I saw several bunches of these on the Far View Sites Trail. There is a similar looking plant called Mule’s Ears that blooms later and has slightly different leaves.<br />
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One of the eye catching flowers on the Spruce Tree House paved trail is<b> Firecracker Penstemon</b> in the Snapdragon Family. I also saw these growing in a kiva at Square Tower House and on the Soda Canyon Trail.<br />
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<b>Oregon Grape</b> in the Barberry Family is abundant and conspicuous at the canyon bottom below Spruce Tree House. It is one of the ones that is identified with a small sign. Many of these plants produce small fruits that are good wildlife food.
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I saw <b>Chokecherry</b> in the Rose Family in a small patch on the exit path of the Spruce Tree House Trail, past the ruins site but before the canyon bottom where the Oregon Grape was visible.<br />
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The printed guide to wildflowers says that there at least 13 species of <b>Milkvetch</b> at Mesa Verde. I saw this example on the Soda Canyon Trail that leads to the overlook of Balcony House.
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The Soda Canyon Trail also had some good patches of <b>Phlox</b>. This is another plant where there are several species but the flowers tend to look the same.<br />
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My total wildflower hike included the Far View, Farming Terrace, Spruce Tree House, Square Tower Overlook, and Soda Canyon Trails. These are short trails that seem to vary in habitat enough to produce a variety of early spring wildflowers.<br />
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<a href="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_$20 off any hotel booking of $350 or more with code TLSALE20" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-58832919367000285772012-04-25T12:08:00.000-07:002013-01-30T05:54:48.050-08:00Far View Sites Trail<br />
The <b>Far View Sites Trail</b> at Mesa Verde National Park is a 1 mile loop that has several large pueblo structures to see and a water management reservoir. There are several large structures here within a very short distance.<br />
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The Far View sites could be a National Monument on their own if they weren’t part of the greater Mesa Verde community. The Far View Trail is on <b>Chapin Mesa</b> along the main park road, a short distance past the Far View Visitor Center.<br />
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The trail starts in a plaza between the impressive<b> Far View House</b> to the north and Pipe Shrine House to the south. There are several interpretive signs and a trail guide available. The Far View name was inspired by the commanding view of the surrounding Four Corners country side.<br />
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The Far View site was two stories and has 40 rooms on the ground floor. The large size of the structure suggests that Far View Houses may have been a public building, where leaders addressed the needs of the larger community. This was one of the most densely populated areas of Mesa Verde.<br />
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On the south side of the plaza is <b>Pipe Shrine House</b>, named for a dozen decorated clay pipes found in a kiva.<br />
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<b>Pipe Shrine House</b> has 20 rooms on the ground floor and may have had a second story. At Pipe Shrine House the interpretive information points out the differences in building styles of the walls. The single course walls on the north side contrast with the double course construction on the south side.<br />
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The double course construction is a later style, and is probably associated with multiple stories. The environment here is Pinon Pine and Juniper trees mixed with the aromatic Big Sage Brush on a mesa top setting, with good canyon views a short distance away.<br />
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Walking around the south end of Pipe Shrine House the view back towards Far View House gives a feeling for how busy this area must have been. Look for a <b>spiral petroglyph</b> in one of the building stones on the back side of Pipe Shrine House.<br />
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A little north along the trail is <b>Far View Tower</b>. This site has 16 small one story rooms, three kivas and a round tower. The single story rooms are single course construction but the tower is double course. The function of towers is a mystery. Modern Pueblo People still use kivas but not towers. There are nearly 60 towers at Mesa Verde. This one doesn't appear to be positioned as a lookout point, as some of them are. Sometimes there are tunnels connecting towers to kivas.<br />
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A little bit off the trail to the east there are far views across the canyon toward the LaPlata Mountains that are between Mesa Verde and the Durango area.<br />
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<b>Far View Reservoir,</b> formerly called <b>Mummy Lake</b> is one of four constructed reservoirs at Mesa Verde and the only one that is accessible. The alcove sites often have seep springs or the canyon bottom creeks for water supply but a mesa top site would have had to try to store the snow melt and summer storm water. The clay rich soil here probably compacted well to seal the bottom, but the evaporation is high in the sunny southwest.<br />
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Earth lagoons are common in this region. It seems like the rock walls surrounding the lake would have been more to prevent erosion around the edges than to hold water. The sandstone itself is porous and the mortar would have leaked if constantly exposed to water.<br />
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I was surprised to see that the American Society of Civil Engineers presented an award in 2004 to the Mummy Lake reservoir built 700 years ago. There is a constructed channel that collects water from the uphill area to the north.<br />
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Water is diverted into the reservoir in a way that allows the silt to settle in the channel, leaving the reservoir water fit for drinking.<br />
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Further north the trail leads to <b>Megalithic House</b>, named for the larger stones used. Megalithic stones are also visible at Long House on Wetherill Mesa.<br />
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The trail loops back south to <b>Coyote Village</b>. The interpretive information here points out how the village grew over time. The clues for this are how the wall construction varies and how the wall joints are arranged.<br />
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The Coyote Village has 30 ground floor rooms, five kivas, and a circular tower. This site is just to the south of the Far View House and can be an overlooked site on an overlooked trail. This is a site where the arrangement of walls is observable. Some walls are tied together and some just abut one another, indicating original construction and later add on building.<br />
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There is a vague trail along the east side of Far View House that gives views into Soda Canyon from the Chapin Mesa rim. Following this trail to the south leads to some of the 50 or so unexcavated villages that were part of the Far View Community. At least one appears as a large rubble pile and there are smaller less conspicuous sites.<br />
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<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=0937407135&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-8420164667107529697.post-42232390353856411962012-04-02T08:15:00.001-07:002012-08-19T08:41:13.982-07:00Cliff Palace Trail<br />
<b>Cliff Palace</b> is the largest and most famous of the Mesa Verde National Park cliff dweller ruins in southwest Colorado. The trail head is on the Cliff Palace Loop Road in the Chapin Mesa area of the Park. The Cliff Palace opens for the season in early April. It is one of the three major sites that require a $3 ticket for a ranger guided tour.<br />
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The ranger lead tour takes about 1 hour. After an introduction at the overlook there are two stops, one to the left at the ruin level and one along the front of the site at a kiva. The trail down has a lot of rough steps and slides through some narrow openings and has ladders to climb up and down. If you have bad knees or hips, stay on top, the ranger advises.<br />
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One of the questions about the 600 or more cliff dwellings that are found in the canyons of Mesa Verde is why did they build here. The Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here are thought to have arrived as hunters and gatherers around 500 AD and lived on the mesa tops for several hundred years, until a burst alcove building that began around 1200 AD.<br />
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The ranger offered a possible explanation. In this period, resources began to become scarce. The cliff structures provided more security. They were difficult to enter and more easily defended. But in the end, this strategy didn’t work. There is some evidence that the amount of domesticated turkey consumed declined in this era. There wasn’t enough corn anymore to feed the turkeys.<br />
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Another possible explanation is that they used the cliff dwellings more for storage than to live in, mostly still living on the mesa tops. Sheltered under the stone roof, the cliff dwellings were cooler in summer and warmer in winter if they faced the south.<br />
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The Cliff Palace contains 217 rooms and 23 circular kivas and is thought to have supported a population of about 200. As large as it is, this site was used for only 75-100 years. The whole Four Corners area was abandoned by 1300 AD and these sites lay vacant for centuries.<br />
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Looking closely at the stone work, a variety of styles of masonry are seen. It looks like there was no central direction to the work here, each family adding and remodeling in their own style. This contrasts with the more uniform building styles in the large structures in Chaco Canyon, in northwest New Mexico.<br />
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Looking back up toward the trail head area, the forest resources here are <b>Pinon Pines and Utah Juniper </b>trees. The canyons where the cliff dwellings occur are porous sandstone. Water seeping down through the rock loosens the grains and the cave like alcoves form. Only a few alcoves are large enough for a very large structure like Cliff Palace.<br />
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On the second stop on the tour, the group gathers around one of the <b>kivas</b>. The traditional interpretation of these circular underground rooms is that they are used for ceremonies. The Kivas seem to usually have a ventilation shaft, unlike most of the rectangular rooms. Around the circle, the columns supported the roof structure which included the entryway. Most kivas seem to have been entered from the top but a few have side entrances. We usually see the kivas without the roofs.<br />
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My thought has been that they would be more practical as <b>shelters from the hard winters</b> in this high elevation area. Winters are cold, there can be several feet of snow, and the earth contact insulation would moderate the cold. There are often tunnels connecting the fire warmed and well ventilated rooms with the storage rooms. Most of the alcoves used as living space face the south, taking advantage of the winter sun. There was an experiment going on in one of the kivas. Samples of the mud that could have been used as mortar were being tested.<br />
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At the far end of the Cliff Palace, the second level structures are visible. The fine stone work that was used here is also visible. Some of the structures at this end were reconstructed and stabilized by the Park Service.<br />
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The four story tower at the far end of the site has some <b>artwork</b> visible on the inside. At the very end of the tour there is an opportunity to lean in the small doorway and glance up. The interior and exterior walls of these structures were often covered with plaster which could be decorated. At most sites, the plaster is the first feature to wear away and we don’t see any decorative work. The climb back to the canyon rim includes two convenient ladders to climb. To the right on the way up are the seemingly treacherous toe and hand holds that the residents used.<br />
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<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=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_$20 off any hotel booking of $350 or more with code TLSALE20" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-18516405025216399922012-02-22T07:22:00.004-08:002013-02-17T08:05:39.435-08:00Prater Canyon Winter Trail<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The<b> Prater Canyon Winter Trail</b> is a new winter sports trail in 2012 at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. The trail is designed as a 4.7 mile lasso loop with trailhead parking at the <b>Montezuma Lookout Point </b>at the 6.2 miles mark on the main park road.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">During the 2012 winter season Mesa Verde has groomed the snow is several areas to promote winter sports. The park <b>entrance fee is being waived in January and February</b> to promote more winter visitation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Prater Canyon area has not been open for hiking before the 2012 winter season. The two way segment of trail descends gradually and extends for about 1.2 miles before reaching the loop segment near the tunnel. The groomed surface was covered with a couple of inches of fresh snow during my hike.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It took me about 0:35 minutes to arrive at the loop segment on snowshoes. On the late February day that I hiked, it appeared that the groomed part of the loop had been shortened, not extending as far up Prater Canyon as designed. This may have been due to the relatively modest levels of snow in 2012. I hiked two days after 3 inches of snow and there had been 6 inches the previous week. There was plenty of snow when I hiked but the base wasn’t deep.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The terrain along most of the Prater Canyon area has been burned by the Bircher Fire of July 2000. Some of the Douglas Firs survived. I didn't see many animal tracks along this trail. There were a couple of track trails that appeared to be mouse sized and another that was coyote sized.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a good view of this trail area from a pullover point on the main park road past the trail head. This view shows the two way segment of trail. The trail makes a turn to the right at the far end of this view.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the parking area of the Montezuma View Point there are good views toward Sleeping Ute Mountain and west toward the Abajo Mountains. My total hike took 1:50 hours for about 3 miles on a 32 F degree morning.</span><br />
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<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-8420164667107529697.post-83799789066090550452012-02-17T05:14:00.000-08:002013-02-17T08:11:09.897-08:00Knife Edge Trail Winter ViewsIn the 2012 winter season, the <strong>Morefield Campground</strong> at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado, is being managed for winter hiking on snowshoes and cross country skiing. The campground is located only a few miles past the main entrance. In the summer season, there are three hiking trails that begin in the vicinity of the campground. <br />
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The campground loops and the new <strong>Meadow Bliss Trail</strong> are being machine groomed. My hike was two days after several inches of new snow in mid February. The parking area and trailhead for winter activities is the Morefield Village area near the gas station.<br />
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From the trailhead it is about 1 mile along the campground roads to the relatively level 2 mile round trip<strong> Knife</strong> <strong>Edge Trail</strong>. The Knife Edge Trail is part of the old entrance road to the park and provides good views to the north above the Montezuma Valley and the nearby mountain ranges. It took me about 0:30 minutes of snowshoe hiking to arrive at the Knife Edge Trailhead. The trail isn’t groomed.<br />
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The snow depth was moderate along the first segment of trail. Hiking past <strong>Point Lookout</strong>, the wide views open up. Most of the regional mountains are visible. To the north is the San Miguel range, featuring Lone Cone to the west and Dolores Peak to the east. At the No. 8 trail marker the snow on the trail got much deeper and I was sinking in up to my knees. <br />
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I was surprised to see some tracks coming from the other direction near trail marker 10. These deep tracks appear to have been made by a <strong>deer that was struggling</strong> as much as I was. The deer appears to have made its way by lunging along the trail and then returned the way it came. <br />
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On the recent ranger led <strong>Winter Ecology Hike</strong> in this area we didn’t see any deer tracks, and the explanation was that the deer mostly retreat to the lower snow free areas. I turned around at trail marker 12, turned back by the deep snow.<br />
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I continued further along the campground road to the Amphitheater parking area and saw a few more deer tracks on the groomed surface. The Amphitheater area provides an elevated view of the campground area. <br />
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In the winter season of 2011, I had made it to trail marker 23, which discusses the geology of the area, including the Point Lookout sandstone and the underlying Mancos shale. Most of the trail markers on the Knife Edge Trail discuss the botany of the area.<br />
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The trees easy to see in winter are the Pinon Pines and Utah Junipers, the leafless Gambel Oaks and the tall Douglas Firs. My snowshoe hike was on a 32 F degree mid February day and I hiked about 2.5 miles in 1:50 hours.<br />
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<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=B000SBPVUU&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=B004IMLF4G&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=B0016PNF8C&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-8420164667107529697.post-71958238784573058182012-02-07T17:25:00.000-08:002013-02-17T08:06:25.295-08:00Meadow Bliss Winter Trail on SnowshoesThe <strong>Meadow Bliss Trail</strong> is a new winter sports loop trail in the Morefield Campground area of Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado.<br />
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The trailhead for winter sports is the parking area for the Morefield Campground stores. The beginning of the Meadow Bliss Loop is near the trailhead for the Prater Ridge Trail. It is a 10 or 15 minute walk on the Campground Loop trails to get to the Meadow Bliss Loop.<br />
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During the 2012 winter season, Mesa Verde is trying to promote winter visiting by grooming the snow in several road areas for winter sports. In early February, the 2012 season hasn’t so far been a heavy snow year but in the Morefield area the depth is up to the bench level of the picnic tables. The day I hiked was one day after about 3 inches of new snow covered the existing groomed surface.<br />
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The Meadow Bliss Loop is listed as 2.7 miles and heads south from the Prater Ridge Trailhead along the east facing flank of Prater Ridge. It is a lasso type loop with something of a figure eight formation. I stayed to the right at the loop junction. There was new snow on the trail and the route was easier to see staying to the right.<br />
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The Meadow Bliss Loop is actually a trail rather than a road like the Campground loops. It passes though groves of Gamble Oak with views of the cliffs of Prater Ridge. I saw many tracks of what I thought were coyotes.<br />
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The far end of the western part of the loop passes close to the main road tunnel. In this area there are a few tall Ponderosa Pines. There aren’t many of these pines visible in Mesa Verde. Mostly we see the Pinon Pines and Douglas Firs.<br />
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There is a short segment of trail very close to the main park road, and then the route turns north back toward the trailhead. There is a point where the figure eight comes close together and I cut across, leaving off the more eastern part of the figure eight. <br />
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This east segment turns south again and makes another pass close to the main park road. It was difficult to see the east part of the trail in this area and I was ready to return to the trailhead. When I hiked, I think the snow depth was relatively thin in the east segment that I skipped.<br />
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My total hike took 1:50 hours. I didn’t hike the complete 2.7 mile loop, but probably made up the difference by starting at the main trailhead. It was 24 F degrees at my 9:30 AM start and about 34 F at 11:20 AM.<br />
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<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=0870816845&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=B0034F5D78&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-8420164667107529697.post-17124658717204240152012-01-29T06:45:00.000-08:002013-02-17T11:21:47.706-08:00Mesa Verde Winter Ecology HikeIn 2011 and 2012, Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado is encouraging winter visitors by grooming the snow in some areas for snowshoe hiking and cross country skiing. A new guided hike was offered on January 28, 2012 on <strong>Winter Ecology</strong> at Mesa Verde. <br />
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This hike was offered in the <strong>Morefield Campground</strong> area where the campground loops are part of the groomed area. The groomed campground loops also provide access to the three Morefield campground trails. Another groomed section is named the <strong>Meadow Bliss Trail</strong>. The Meadow Bliss Trail is a new route that hasn’t been identified on the park maps before now. <br />
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There was no charge for this guided hike and during January and February 2012 admission to the park is free to encourage more public use. The trailhead for winter hiking is near the Morefield Campground stores and gas station.<br />
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The first hour of the three hour program was an introduction to tracks and tracking. Tracks by themselves can be difficult to identify but the <strong>stride</strong> and <strong>straddle,</strong> or length and width<strong>,</strong> can give a clue to the size of the animal. A process of elimination led the group to conclude that these tracks might be a coyote. This hike was led by two Mesa Verde Wildlife Management rangers and one of the Interpretive Rangers, so there was a wealth of expertise.<br />
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Further on, another similar looking set of tracks was thought to be <strong>Bobcat</strong>. Bobcat tracks tend to be circular while Coyote are more oval shaped. Bobcats and Mountain Lions are both at Mesa Verde but aren’t sighted very often. Tracks might be the typical hikers best opportunity to see a sign of them.<br />
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Part of winter ecology includes the effect of subtle differences in solar radiation. In the Morefield campground area, the differences in the geology and vegetation of north and south facing slopes are visible. The south facing slopes have Pinon Pine and Juniper forest while the cooler north facing slopes have some Douglas Firs. The south facing slopes are also more jumbled in appearance due to the daily effects of freeze and thaw.<br />
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Another factor in track identification is the <strong>Gait Pattern</strong>. Common gaits include <strong>walk, trot, gallop, and</strong> <strong>jump</strong>. Gait patterns include <strong>diagonal walking</strong> like the coyote and bobcat, and <strong>bounders</strong> like rabbits and squirrels. Mice are an example of <strong>gallopers</strong>. <br />
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The bounder tracks usually have the rear feet tracks in front of the front feet, as the animal moves its rear feet forward for the next leap. Tree dwellers will show both pair of feet parallel while ground dwellers will have one foot more forward.<br />
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Toward the end of the hike, there was a demonstration of the use of <strong>motion activated cameras</strong> to monitor wildlife in a non-invasive way. This unit was capable of day and night images. There was a discussion of how this type of camera shed some light on the interaction of the elk and the feral horses at Mesa Verde. Images were captured that showed how the horses were aggressive toward the elk and drove them away from one of the water sources.<br />
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Part of the hike introduction included a demonstration of how casts of tracks are made. At the end of the hike we looked at a sample cast of a deer track. I had noticed that we didn’t see any deer tracks during the hike even though deer are common in Mesa Verde during the warmer parts of the year. The explanation is that the deer prefer the less snowy lower elevation areas and can easily move down during the winter.<br />
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The last demonstration was how plants protect themselves. Samples of Rabbitbrush, Sagebrush, Pinon Pine and Douglas Fir were placed in a zip lock bag and made available for the group to sample the scents. The strong scents indicated the presence of compounds that deter animals from browsing on them. <br />
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The total program lasted 3:00 hours. It was about 25 F degrees at the 9:00 AM start and about 35 F degrees at the 12:00 PM finish. This hike was advertised as limited to 20 hikers. Snowshoes were available to borrow for those who didn’t have their own.<br />
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<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=B000SBPVUU&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=B004IMLF4G&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=B0016PNF8C&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-8420164667107529697.post-91410459428530929242011-12-18T05:42:00.000-08:002013-01-15T11:19:44.312-08:00T Shaped Doors at Spruce Tree HouseDuring the winter season at Mesa Verde National Park, <b>Spruce Tree House</b> is the only large alcove ruins site that can be visited. There are three free ranger guided tours per day leaving from the Chapin Mesa Museum at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 3:30 PM.<br />
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One of the detail features of Spruce Tree House is the many <b>T shaped doorways</b> that are easily visible. T shaped doorways are particular to and symbolic of the American southwest. They are thought to have first appeared at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico around 1020 AD. The T shapes appear later at Aztec Ruins in Aztec New Mexico and then in the Mesa Verde area.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BivyOlUfN3g/Tu3s8T26V4I/AAAAAAAAKCQ/rNrmLMwFuiA/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BivyOlUfN3g/Tu3s8T26V4I/AAAAAAAAKCQ/rNrmLMwFuiA/s400/IMG_2625.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>
The left side plaza area behind the two reconstructed kivas has several T shapes visible including a few that appear to have been bricked in afterwards.<br />
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There is debate as to whether the T shapes have a practical function or are they symbolic. The wider top might provide a wider space for carrying material inside and places to place your hands if you want to vault into the room. The narrow bottom might help conserve heat.<br />
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Some have noticed that the T doorways are only present for habitation rooms and not for storage rooms. This would make the living rooms easier to spot from a distance. Most of the Spruce Tree House T shapes appear to be symmetrical, but this one has uneven shoulders and looks like a larger opening was bricked in later. <br />
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Another site in the Mesa Verde area with easy to visit T shaped doors is the Escalante Pueblo at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado. This site is thought to have been built originally in 1129 AD, making it older than Spruce Tree House where construction is thought to have occurred from 1200 to 1276 AD.<br />
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In this case the T shapes are lined up and lead from one room to the next and are not just on the exterior of the structure. Inside the Anasazi Center Museum there is a mug with a T shaped handle, giving support to the idea that the T shape is symbolic of something.<br />
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It looks like there are also places at Spruce Tree House where one T shaped door leads to another interior T shaped door. The winter tour of Spruce Tree House takes about 1:00 hour. On my mid December visit there were only two hikers on the 10:00 AM tour, a much better experience than during the busy summer season.<br />
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<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=B000VU69HC&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=0870816845&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>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-82698234125374000722011-12-05T06:36:00.000-08:002013-01-30T10:01:29.703-08:00Mesa Verde Black on White PotteryHikers in the more remote areas of the Four Corners will frequently come across <b>pottery shards</b> near the ruins sites. Not many shards are visible at Mesa Verde, but the Chapin Mesa Museum has a good display of several styles including the Mesa Verde <b>Black on White</b> style.<br />
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The <b>Anasazi Heritage Center</b> in Dolores, Colorado has some textbook style explanations of different pottery styles and list more types of Black on White than the Mesa Verde Black on White. The definition of the Mesa Verde type given there says more common after 1200 AD. It has heavier designs with more black space, placed either in bands or in all-over patterns divided in halves, thirds, or quarters. Bowls are usually decorated on both surfaces. <br />
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The McElmo Black on White style is more common between 1150-1200 AD and often shows bands of triangles, checkerboards, steps, and hatched areas. Bowls were usually painted on the inside surface only.<br />
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The Chapin Mesa Museum doesn’t mention the different styles of Black on White but emphasizes the pottery forms. The description for this bowl says it has a ticked rim, a wide design band framed with thick and thin lines.<br />
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This<b> water jar</b> has a symmetrical geometric design with narrow spaced hatching. The water jars are also called <b>Ollas</b>. They may have an indentation on the underside to make it comfortable to carry on your head.<br />
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This example is labeled as a <b>Kiva Jar</b> as they have been mostly found in kivas. The top is shaped to accept a lid. This kiva jar is considered to be the finest piece in the Mesa Verde collection. The trail guide for the Nordenskiold Ruin No. 16 Trail on Wetherill Mesa says that this jar was found there during the excavations of Jesse Nusbaum in 1928-1929. It has been on display here at the Chapin Mesa Museum since the 1950s.<br />
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A miniature of this same jar also seems to appear in the diorama that depicts alcove life after 1200 AD. The dioramas are part of the CCC work of the depression era 1930s. It becomes obvious with experience at Mesa Verde that the dioramas are based on actual locations in the park. The scene that contains the famous pottery example is based on the Spruce Tree House that is right outside the museum.<br />
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<iframe bordercolor="#000000" frameborder="0" height="150" hspace="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adi/N7433.148119.BLOGGEREN/B6534889.2124;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463511;pid=1192690;usg=AFHzDLsOixwBqGaLRLhUFIsK7WBFbcNTRA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.kohls.com%252Fupgrade%252Fwebstore%252Fproduct_page.jsp%253FPRODUCT%25253C%25253Eprd_id%253D845524893019936%2526pfx%253Dpfx_shopcompare%2526cid%253Dshopping3;pubid=537349;price=%2424.98;title=Discovery+Kids+Pottery...;merc=Kohl%27s;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.kohls.com.edgesuite.net%2Fis%2Fimage%2Fkohls%2F1192690%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/B6675805.2764;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463762;pid=UBM9780865342637;usg=AFHzDLuh1NzVWYNxqVCMov2Y9YWnf5K6gQ;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%252Fproduct.jhtm%253Fsku%253DUBM9780865342637;pubid=537349;price=%2415.06;title=Indian+Pottery+by+Roll...;merc=CDS+Books+and+DVDS;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fc376436.r36.cf1.rackcdn.com%2F9780865342637.jpg;width=53;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/B6675805.2757;sz=180x150;ord=[timestamp]?;lid=41000613802463762;pid=UBM9780821417409;usg=AFHzDLt37Tah6LMmgFg5k2I3HgbO8bv1vA;adurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.cdsbooksdvds.com%252Fproduct.jhtm%253Fsku%253DUBM9780821417409;pubid=537349;price=%2429.00;title=Rookwood+and+the+Ameri...;merc=CDS+Books+and+DVDS;imgsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fc381226.r26.cf1.rackcdn.com%2F9780821417409.jpg;width=63;height=85" vspace="0" width="180"></iframe><br />
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<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=0937407135&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=0899972586&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=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305"><img alt="544544_$20 off any hotel booking of $350 or more with code TLSALE20" border="0" src="http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_impression?lid=41000613802382294&pubid=21000000000537305" /></a>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-29992601808608223212011-11-10T09:33:00.000-08:002011-11-10T09:41:39.173-08:00Sun Point Pueblo on the Mesa Top TourThe <strong>Sun Point Pueblo</strong> is the sixth stop on the Mesa Top Pithouse to Pueblo Tour at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. This area of Chapin Mesa is part of the park that is kept open all winter. The road and short trails to the Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites are kept clear of snow and provide a hard surface for walking when other trails are muddy or snow covered.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H4zDjhqI2I/TrwJdCIrN6I/AAAAAAAAJ5o/bOYEwsg68_Q/s1600/IMG_6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5H4zDjhqI2I/TrwJdCIrN6I/AAAAAAAAJ5o/bOYEwsg68_Q/s400/IMG_6522.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>I started my hike at the parking area for the third stop Square Tower House and visited the other sites toward the Sun Point View Point area. The sequence of ruins sites on the Mesa Top Loop traces the history of building styles in the Mesa Verde area from 600 to 1300 AD.<br />
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In the winter season, there isn’t much traffic and this is a pleasant walk with thick Pinon Pine and Juniper forest on both sides of the road. The Sun Point Pueblo is partly sheltered in an open sided building.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBMHmhq-pFQ/TrwKAIxYmpI/AAAAAAAAJ5w/epWOttHAfEI/s1600/IMG_6526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vBMHmhq-pFQ/TrwKAIxYmpI/AAAAAAAAJ5w/epWOttHAfEI/s400/IMG_6526.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The key feature of the Sun Point Pueblo is the Tower and Kiva combination in the center of the village. Surrounding the Tower and Kiva are the outlines of 15 rooms. The interpretive sign in the shelter has a diagram showing the entire site.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPfSsYbU9sA/TrwKgC-B5uI/AAAAAAAAJ54/wITY9pnnUL4/s1600/IMG_6530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPfSsYbU9sA/TrwKgC-B5uI/AAAAAAAAJ54/wITY9pnnUL4/s400/IMG_6530.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The Tower and Kiva combination is one of several that can be viewed at Mesa Verde. Cedar Tree Tower and Far View Tower, also on Chapin Mesa are similar. There is also an example on the Badger House Trail on Wetherill Mesa.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg9m44acNsk/TrwLmQOQ_PI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/FkYxUr63DuM/s1600/IMG_6529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tg9m44acNsk/TrwLmQOQ_PI/AAAAAAAAJ6E/FkYxUr63DuM/s400/IMG_6529.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Sun Point Pueblo is missing much of its material and it is thought that some of it might have been moved to build the many alcove structures that are visible at the nearby Sun Point overlook. The Sun Point Pueblo is thought to have been occupied for only a short period of time, during the transition to the alcove sites<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T_1PUQB9bo/TrwMQHC8xpI/AAAAAAAAJ6M/CC1wR8jU5lo/s1600/IMG_6533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7T_1PUQB9bo/TrwMQHC8xpI/AAAAAAAAJ6M/CC1wR8jU5lo/s400/IMG_6533.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>It is easy to overlook the room block outlines that are on both sides of the shelter building. It is thought that there may have been as many as 30 rooms here with a population of about 50.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5KSohjtxF4/TrwMTP3fcpI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/z3bHXN3hWpc/s1600/IMG_6551a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w5KSohjtxF4/TrwMTP3fcpI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/z3bHXN3hWpc/s400/IMG_6551a.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>On the way off the Mesa Top Loop I saw a coyote also strolling along the road. My hike on the Mesa Top Loop from stops 3 to 7 was on a sunny 40 F degree mid November day. There were patches of snow in shady spots in the forest. My hike took 1:30 hours for about 2 miles.Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-79939028467623874522011-09-14T04:30:00.000-07:002011-09-14T05:11:16.010-07:00Square Tower House Guided Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <strong>Square Tower House</strong> overlook is the third stop on the Mesa Top Pit House to Pueblo Tour at Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. For many years, since the 1930s, the view from the overlook was only way for visitors to see the Square Tower House.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tR1EZkcmd8/TnCN40d0D8I/AAAAAAAAJZg/YHgE-UKTQnY/s1600/IMG_5268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tR1EZkcmd8/TnCN40d0D8I/AAAAAAAAJZg/YHgE-UKTQnY/s400/IMG_5268.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>In the Fall season of 2011 from September 1 to October 15, ranger guided hikes into the site are offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. These tours start at 8:00 AM and last about 2 hours. There is a $20 charge and reservations have to be made. Each tour is limited to 10 hikers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow-tImiZ79I/TnCRvnEraPI/AAAAAAAAJZo/GfOct1HT-GQ/s1600/IMG_5262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow-tImiZ79I/TnCRvnEraPI/AAAAAAAAJZo/GfOct1HT-GQ/s400/IMG_5262.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The 1 mile round trip hike is advertised as strenuous, but seemed to me to be very easy except that there are two ladders to descend. The transition from the carved steps to the lower ladder looks a little tricky from above, but there are ropes to hold on to. <br />
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The short segment of trail from the trailhead to the ladders has a spectacular view across Navajo Canyon with Echo House visible across the canyon. This trail was part of the CCC construction in the 1930s and includes the type of carved steps that are seen on other older trails in the park. The ladders are new for 2011.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-milZasqLStk/TnCSgpadM4I/AAAAAAAAJZs/KmfeJ6tgILg/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-milZasqLStk/TnCSgpadM4I/AAAAAAAAJZs/KmfeJ6tgILg/s400/IMG_5203.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The tour crosses in front of the site and begins at the left end. In this left side area a boulder broke loose in recent years and did some damage to some of the walls. The ranger related that there was consultation with current day pueblo people about what to do about the damage, and the result was that the damage was part of the natural process and should be accepted. <br />
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The park works to stabilize these structures but not to rebuild them in the current era. At first glance, the eye catching structures are the 28 foot Square Tower and the <strong>Crow’s Nest</strong> high in a crevice. The left side is the location of the Nordenskiold No. 8 and the John Wetherill JW initials. These historic inscriptions are visible but somewhat small and faint. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8waTAIeB-Y/TnCVl1K0l8I/AAAAAAAAJaE/QXr6QlXKeww/s1600/IMG_5223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X8waTAIeB-Y/TnCVl1K0l8I/AAAAAAAAJaE/QXr6QlXKeww/s400/IMG_5223.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Just to the right of the tall tower, there is a kiva with half of the roof still in place. Some of the construction details of the placement of wood beams are visible along with a cross section of the packed mud surface. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9-a_QRh22A/TnCWW7fHfdI/AAAAAAAAJaI/uM3hZM3tqbc/s1600/IMG_5229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9-a_QRh22A/TnCWW7fHfdI/AAAAAAAAJaI/uM3hZM3tqbc/s400/IMG_5229.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>From this same view point there are close up views of the Square Tower. This is the tallest structure in Mesa Verde.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDonmlaoiFc/TnCW9wOAtcI/AAAAAAAAJaQ/8RmnDQ5V1AE/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jDonmlaoiFc/TnCW9wOAtcI/AAAAAAAAJaQ/8RmnDQ5V1AE/s400/IMG_5247.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>Further to the right there is another kiva with part of the roof still intact. The view into the kiva is from a lower angle and some of the cribbing of the log roof is visible.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joNC_jcAhwA/TnCUatWMFRI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/b6FAZCGyn7U/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joNC_jcAhwA/TnCUatWMFRI/AAAAAAAAJZ8/b6FAZCGyn7U/s400/IMG_5233.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
From the right side there are also the closest views of the Crow’s Nest. This structure isn’t visible from the overlook. We had a discussion of what the Crow’s Nest was for but the exact purpose isn’t known. It could have been a lookout or signaling point. It looks like it might have been possible to enter the site along the crevice and ledges where the Crow’s Nest is located but it looks very tricky. There are some very faint petroglyphs in the sandstone on the right side of the site but they are difficult to see.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVitHVn3fgQ/TnCXrtlOIcI/AAAAAAAAJaU/ySg9OUUFNi0/s1600/IMG_5250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVitHVn3fgQ/TnCXrtlOIcI/AAAAAAAAJaU/ySg9OUUFNi0/s400/IMG_5250.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>An interesting point was made about the two tone plaster that is sometimes seen at these sites. The upper band of plaster is white and the lower band is buff colored.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7zOR_yGmv8/TnCYFyNtu1I/AAAAAAAAJaY/4yYo2jT_e0M/s1600/IMG_5251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7zOR_yGmv8/TnCYFyNtu1I/AAAAAAAAJaY/4yYo2jT_e0M/s400/IMG_5251.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
Turning and looking out at the canyon, the upper sky is bright above a darker buff color of the sandstone cliffs. The interior decoration imitates the natural views outside. The ranger made the point that the people were very in touch with their environment, more than we are today.<br />
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With stops for discussion, it took our group of seven 0:45 minutes to arrive at Square Tower House. We spent 0:50 minutes viewing the site and 0:25 minutes to return to the trailhead. It was a 68 F degree September morning and most of the hike was in shade. I carried 2 liters of water but didn’t drink until the hike was completed.<br />
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<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=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>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-72407720415818471872011-07-05T06:26:00.000-07:002011-07-05T06:42:20.017-07:00Megalithic House on the Far View Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <strong>Far View Trail</strong> is a 0.75 mile loop that visits 6 excavated sites in one of the most populated areas of Mesa Verde National Park in southwest Colorado. In the 2011 summer season, there are ranger led hikes on the Far View Trail on Mondays and Fridays at 4:00 PM.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jQJm6gsv98/ThMO8wGhpaI/AAAAAAAAI4w/6YvR24_6A4M/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5jQJm6gsv98/ThMO8wGhpaI/AAAAAAAAI4w/6YvR24_6A4M/s400/IMG_3504.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The north end of the loop leads to the unusual Megalithic House. Megalithic House uses large stones as part of the building style. At first, these large stones were the only evidence that something was here. Megalithic House is considered to be the home of one clan. The cluster of structures includes a kiva and several other rooms.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mS26tUO8lw/ThMPhGjtX5I/AAAAAAAAI40/a2FjAOfKsR4/s1600/IMG_3506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8mS26tUO8lw/ThMPhGjtX5I/AAAAAAAAI40/a2FjAOfKsR4/s400/IMG_3506.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The Far View area is at an elevation of about 7800 feet. This elevation is about the limit for growing corn in this region. The advantage is that there is more moisture at higher elevation but the growing season is shorter and has to be timed carefully to avoid frosts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XyQOQKU_QY/ThMP96xwg_I/AAAAAAAAI5I/2_3j7_5z1V8/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XyQOQKU_QY/ThMP96xwg_I/AAAAAAAAI5I/2_3j7_5z1V8/s400/IMG_3502.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>What is unusual about Megalithic House is that the stone work in the kiva appears to be very fine while the work on the other buildings appears to be very course. Also, the floor of the kiva penetrates into the bedrock, very difficult to accomplish working by hand. The guided tour of Far View stays on the main trail and doesn’t visit any of the 50 village sites that are unexcavated. The total guided hike lasts about 1:00 hour.<br />
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<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=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>Todd Lochmoellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07821286428688409795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8420164667107529697.post-23822562066633994322011-06-16T05:28:00.000-07:002012-06-05T05:30:58.155-07:00Knife Edge Trail Bird Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During the 2011 summer season Mesa Verde National Park is offering <strong>bird hikes</strong> on the <strong>Knife Edge Trail</strong> on Sunday and Wednesday at 7:30 AM. The Knife Edge Trail is one of three trails in the Morefield Campground area. </div>
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The Knife Edge Trail is a 2 mile round trip along the north rim and historically was a main road in the park, built in 1914. As a regular hike it emphasizes the plants in the area that were available to the Ancestral Pueblo people. There are also wide views of the Montezuma Valley with the regional mountain ranges visible.<br />
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The bird hike is different than other hiking in that the walking is slower and the talking is more in whispers. There is more effort at listening and wide angle awareness to spot movement of the birds. If you suffer from Nature-deficit disorder, bird hiking might be for you. <br />
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The Mesa Verde checklist of birds includes 186 species with 78 known to breed in the park. The checklist mentions five habitat types including Mesa Tops, Side Canyons, Deep Canyons, Riparian, and North Rim. <br />
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The Knife Edge Trail is probably the typical North Rim Habitat where the mountain shrubs include Gambel Oak, Utah Serviceberry, Mountain Mahogany, Cliff Fendler Bush, Chokecherry, and shady spots with Douglas Firs.<br />
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The highlight possibility on the hike is Peregrine Falcons along the sandstone cliffs. They have been sighted on some of the hikes but we didn’t see any on the day I hiked. <br />
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The birds we did see included Rufous-sided and Green-tailed Towhees, Scrub Jay, Raven, Rock Wren and another wren, maybe the Canyon Wren. There were many high flying birds high above on the cliff tops that were either White-throated Swifts or Violet-green Swallows. One bird we thought was a Yellow-rumped Warbler.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UW1VCMefT9o/Tfn0dtixXLI/AAAAAAAAIvE/ocwi7qlVKlI/s1600/IMG_2957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UW1VCMefT9o/Tfn0dtixXLI/AAAAAAAAIvE/ocwi7qlVKlI/s400/IMG_2957.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>
The hike is advertised as lasting two hours, but since this isn’t an archaeology sensitive area, you can stay longer even if the ranger has to leave. I stayed on the trail for 2:50 hours, finishing by myself. On the return hike I saw a Western Tanager and a circling soaring hawk with broad wings, probably the Red Tailed Hawk.<br />
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<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=B0033PRQBA&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=0792253140&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=0547152701&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=0395975190&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-8420164667107529697.post-87281828982978808022011-06-11T13:54:00.000-07:002012-01-29T07:16:37.692-08:00Oak Tree House on Fewkes Canyon Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the most eye catching of the several Ancestral Pueblo ruins sites visible from <strong>Sun Point</strong> is the <strong>Oak Tree House</strong>. During the summer of 2011, Mesa Verde National Park is offering ranger guided hikes to Oak Tree House and further on to <strong>New Fire House</strong> and the <strong>Fire Temple.</strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5l9dC5CEco/TfPTIHDrrCI/AAAAAAAAIsA/FAs8Hc-fI9Y/s1600/IMG_5132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5l9dC5CEco/TfPTIHDrrCI/AAAAAAAAIsA/FAs8Hc-fI9Y/s400/IMG_5132.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Oak Tree House has about 50 rooms and 6 kivas. The interpretive sign at the Sun Point overlook says that the sloping alcove floor was leveled using retaining walls and fill, and that every available square foot of area was used, including the ledge area above.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiIdFk96RKw/TfPT4LzkQOI/AAAAAAAAIsM/kQoV2hol82I/s1600/IMG_2904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AiIdFk96RKw/TfPT4LzkQOI/AAAAAAAAIsM/kQoV2hol82I/s400/IMG_2904.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The one mile round trip trail begins at the Sun Temple on the Mesa Top Loop. The hike gets off to a fast start with hikers clinging to an installed rope and stepping carefully into carved footholds and descending a ladder to a ledge area. The ledge trail winds around the point under the <strong>Sun Temple</strong> and <strong>Mummy House</strong>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX0x1tBqPdY/TfPUc37sktI/AAAAAAAAIsQ/Ym4_kteCm4Y/s1600/IMG_2822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pX0x1tBqPdY/TfPUc37sktI/AAAAAAAAIsQ/Ym4_kteCm4Y/s400/IMG_2822.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Along the way there are views from below toward <strong>Mummy House</strong> and across Cliff Canyon toward Cliff Palace and Sunset House. Near the tip of the point there is a small seep spring that one of the water sources for this relatively highly populated canyon area.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngMNU-WifS8/TfPWusMyhpI/AAAAAAAAIsY/d2Yg9ZMWuXw/s1600/IMG_2850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ngMNU-WifS8/TfPWusMyhpI/AAAAAAAAIsY/d2Yg9ZMWuXw/s400/IMG_2850.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The trail to Oak Tree House was mostly constructed in 1915 and was improved in the 1930s but has not been used much since then. There were a few hikes here in the 2006 Mesa Verde Centennial year. In the 2010-11 summer seasons some of these rarely used trails have been re-opened on a trial basis to public visits.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzMO6AQgJxQ/TfPXPMw357I/AAAAAAAAIsg/UX4TezLqGrw/s1600/IMG_2828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dzMO6AQgJxQ/TfPXPMw357I/AAAAAAAAIsg/UX4TezLqGrw/s400/IMG_2828.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The kiva at the right end of the site appears to have been modified into a grain grinding room. Another Mesa Verde site where I’ve noticed an indoor grinding room is Coyote Village on the Far View Trail. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDT1GGOuSSA/TfPXya1uwxI/AAAAAAAAIsk/0hKJqrOGgRk/s1600/IMG_2831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDT1GGOuSSA/TfPXya1uwxI/AAAAAAAAIsk/0hKJqrOGgRk/s400/IMG_2831.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>There is a lot of soot visible at Oak Tree House. The square opening on the upper left appears to be a well framed window. Most of the small openings that we think are windows are actually doorways, but this one appears to actually be a window.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-NFjVtV88I/TfPZTtoc_1I/AAAAAAAAIss/MnqJZ22D-Uk/s1600/IMG_2833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-NFjVtV88I/TfPZTtoc_1I/AAAAAAAAIss/MnqJZ22D-Uk/s400/IMG_2833.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Oak Tree House is being monitored for structural changes with small monitors that are visible. This device provides data for deciding if any action needs to be taken to stabilize the fragile walls.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baAXFSE8txY/TfPZ0e4MMpI/AAAAAAAAIs0/ZiShr_EjHVQ/s1600/IMG_2843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-baAXFSE8txY/TfPZ0e4MMpI/AAAAAAAAIs0/ZiShr_EjHVQ/s400/IMG_2843.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>On the left side of the site, a <strong>T shaped doorway</strong> is visible near other rectangular doorways. The building dates for Oak Tree House appear to be earlier than many of the other cliff dwelling sites. The dates here are 1184 AD to a construction stop in 1209 AD. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eA9-fZuZjsU/TfPasE1S1II/AAAAAAAAIs8/nLGKX7VTxPc/s1600/IMG_2897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eA9-fZuZjsU/TfPasE1S1II/AAAAAAAAIs8/nLGKX7VTxPc/s400/IMG_2897.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>From Oak Tree House the hike continues a short distance to New Fire House and Fire Temple (see separate post for Fire Temple). After visiting there we retrace back to the trailhead. The hike is advertised as two hours but is a better experience if it lasts close to three hours.<br />
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<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=B000SBPVUU&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=B004IMLF4G&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=B0016PNF8C&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-8420164667107529697.post-88648115049276234762011-06-11T06:13:00.000-07:002012-10-02T10:13:34.324-07:00Fire Temple on Fewkes Canyon Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the special hikes at Mesa Verde National Park in 2011 visits the <strong>Fire Temple</strong> and <strong>New Fire</strong> <strong>House</strong> in Fewkes Canyon. These side by side sites are visible from Sun Point on the Mesa Top Loop but have not been visited by the public since the 1930s.</div>
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The one mile round trip hike begins at the Sun Temple and winds around the point past <strong>Oak Tree House</strong> and below <strong>Mummy House</strong>. The hike I was on started hiking at about 8:20 AM and arrived at New Fire House at about 9:45 AM. <br />
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New Fire House is a two level structure. The lower level has seven rooms and three kivas. From the trail level, New Fire House is hard to view because the trail is a little below the floor level of the site. From the right side, there is an open area in the back of the alcove with some moisture and plants growing similar to Balcony House and Long House.<br />
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One of the possible interpretations of New Fire House is that it was the residence of the persons who were responsible for the ceremonies held at the adjacent Fire Temple. The trail stays along the front and doesn’t enter the site. There weren’t any good views into the kivas.<br />
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The upper level has 13 rooms. The overlook interpretive sign says there are foot and toe holds leading to the upper level and that ladders were probably used. There is a good view of the structure to the right of the upper level from below.<br />
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The main section of the <strong>Fire Temple</strong> resembles the floor a <strong>great kiva</strong> with two rectangular structures and a central circular structure that we usually think is a fire pit. The rectangular structures are often described as foot drums associated with dancing. The large outdoor plaza at Long House on Wetherill Mesa has similar features. <br />
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The great kivas at Chaco Canyon have these features as does the great kiva at Aztec Ruins. Early investigator J.W. Fewkes thought that the central fire pit may have been an “eternal flame” due to the large quantity of ashes that were found here. Fewkes saw a connection between this site and current “New Fire” rites practiced by the Hopis that he had spent much time with.<br />
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There is a lot of white plaster still intact here. Our group spent some time scanning the plaster for small images. There are two vertical zig zag snake like designs in the plaster but you have to look carefully to see them.<br />
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We noticed a large alcove directly across the canyon from the Fire Temple area but couldn’t see any structures. The possible explanation for non use is that this site doesn’t catch as much winter sun, but it is known as a Basketmaker, or early era site.<br />
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On the left side of the Fire Temple is a room with some pictographs on the wall. The images to the right are unusual and resemble Prickly Pear Cactus with flower buds. There are also some mountain sheep images. An early picture of these images also included some Kokopelli images that are now missing. <br />
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We had a discussion of how early visitors to these sites left historic inscriptions, but many of these were later considered to be graffiti and have been removed. It was speculated that the Kokopellis might have been removed for their phallic features. <br />
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The total hike to Oak Tree House and the Fire Temple took 2:50 hours. The tour is advertised as a two hour hike but the more leisurely 2:50 hour pace was appreciated by our group. In 2011 this hike is being offered May 29 to September 5 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays for a cost of $20.<br />
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