Mesa Verde National Park

On our week of driving from Dallas to Seattle, we took a day of rest at the halfway point in Cortez, CO near the four corners.

Fires are a big topic this summer, but they are common and a part of the ecosystem.  Throughout the park, there are the signs (both burned trees and actual placards) that signify fires in previous years.  The fields of snags are quite beautiful.

The highlight of the park are the pueblos build into the cliff faces.  Here's the largest, Cliff House.  During non-pandemic times, tours are available to be able to go and visit the pueblos, but we could only see them from viewpoints.

This is the canyon that the Cliff House faces.

There are MANY of these dwelling found throughout the area.  This is Spruce Tree House, found near the Cliff House.

A structure found up on the mesa itself.  Speculation is that it might have been ceremonial.  Actual function is still in doubt.

Not only are the pueblos amazing, but the views are fantastic as well.  Here's the path up to the highest point on the mesa (and therefore in Mesa Verde)

Looking north.

To the northeast and the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The view to the east.

South into New Mexico and with the naked eye, the Shiprock, but I couldn't really get a view of it from the phone.

Sunset to the west.