Colorado // 17 October
Mesa Verde is at 8000ft/2500m elevation. The drive into the National Park is stunning, with views in all directions. We did some of the hikes on top of the Mesa, through the desert vegetation, and were lucky to tour the Cliff Palace.
Views as we ascended the Mesa….
Museum and Post Office built in Pueblo style…
Spruce Tree House… This was the first cliff dwelling we saw, viewing from across the canyon.
Cliff Palace… Over 100 rooms make up the village, built and occupied in the 1200s. It was amazing to tour as only up close could you appreciate the size and number of dwellings and how they were built. Access to the village was tricky even via the modern route, anyone living here must have been very talented climbers!
Soda Canyon Overlook Trail… A short trail through the desert vegetation to views of Soda Canyon and Balcony House.
Park Point Fire Lookout Tower… Highest point in the park. Amazing views and we spotted a wildfire in the distance.
