#wildernessculture
In southwest Colorado less than an hour away from the city of Durango is a mysterious group of cliff dwellings in the canyons of the table top mesas. These are the best preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United states.
The national park site for Mesa Verde does an amazing job at introducing the wonder of the park.
https://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
I arrived at the park May 10th 2018 and stayed at the Morefield campground inside the national park for two nights. Its a wonderful campground. Most the sites will only hold one large tent or two small two-man tents. It has free showers, flushable toilets, and coin laundry.
On May 11th we explore the park. You’re allowed to buy tickets(they are only $5 a person) to take a tour into the cliff dwellings which are lead by a ranger. The only tour available was for the balcony house. I recommend taking one of these tours because you’re not allowed in the dwellings unless with a ranger. Its only an hour and worth your time. It is a little difficult since you have two climb one 30ft ladder, two 15ft ladders, and crawl through a claustrophobic tunnel. Regardless of those few precautions its an incredible feelings to stand in the dwelling.
You’ll be spending the day learning about the history of the pueblo people and exploring their past. When it comes to hiking there isn’t much. Its a very spiritual place.
Photos to be posted. Message me with any questions about the park.
Adventure on!