We planned to get acquainted with our new area today before we ventured into anything substantial. Cathy had information she picked up from some of the other places we were at earlier in the week. There is are two scenic drives along the north and south canyon rims. Tourists can not go down into the canyon without a park permit and a Navajo guide, except for one trail.
Wow!
The only trail into the canyon for us is the trail that leads to the White House Pueblo ruins. It is a 1 ½ mile hike straight down 600 foot cliffs and to the site. Round trip is 3 miles. Natives still live and farm in the canyon. That is the reason for the guides and the permit. It would be too out of control for tourists to wander anywhere they want. The park recognizes that and respects their right to privacy. As a matter of fact, you can't take pictures of the natives or their dwellings without their permission.
On the way down. We got out of the truck at the trail head and knew we were going to be blessed with some awesome views. The sun was up and bright and made from the south side very tough. But I think you get an idea of how beautiful the canyon is.
Vertigo, anybody? Started down the trail and met many people already coming back the other way. Most people start out early to beat the heat. Most we met were completely beat. Oh boy, I was thinking, what did we get ourselves into. My vertigo may get the best of me here.
The trail was well made. Carved and blasted out of the sides of the cliffs. The trail switch backed several times and the grade was gradual enough that it seemed like a casual walk. We stopped now and then and marveled at the views. They were amazing in every direction.
This feels like the gateway to the canyon
We found ourselves in a tunnel which is near the bottom of the trail. The cool air inside was refreshing. We looked out and could see the canyon floor and the trail heading toward the stream. A foot bridge got us across it and then we could make out a large group of people under Cottonwood trees farther down stream.
It was a group of Navajo gathered to sell their ware to the tourists. We chatted with a fellow selling his silver smithed jewelery he made himself. It is something I would like to someday do. It takes patience and the right kind of equipment. He told us he gets his stones from the Tucson Gem show every year.
The top room still has the white plaster they all once had. The White House.Behind the group is what we came here to look at. The ruins are at the bottom of a shear cliff with more ruins in a cave about 50 feet from the bottom of the canyon. It's an amazing site. It is ruins of the Anasazi. The Navajo never lived in any of the ruins. They respected them and kept them preserved until they were found by the whites. Then the were looted and vandalized until the park system was able to protect them.
We lingered a while and got our courage to hike back up the trail. IT turned out to be a relatively easy hike back up. We stopped twice to sit on benches along the way. It was due to the heat of the sun more than anything. We got to the top and wanted more.
We drove to another overlook farther up the valley. More beautiful views. Then we headed back to the trailer. But before we did that we had lunch at yet another overlook turn out. Cathy bought some art from a vendor here.
We decided to commit to a guided tour of the entire canyon for tomorrow. It will be an all day tour and I can't wait to do it.
We made it home and rested. I had to make a grocery run in town. When I got there, the whole town was inundated with a sand storm. It was like driving through a blizzard of red snow.
When I got back, it was much calmer and the campground had wind but no sandstorm. We had hot dogs on the grill, broccoli salad that Cathy made and I thawed out some of my crockpot beans. ...We turned in early.
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