These photos are from a trail that descends from a canyon overlook to the famous White House Ruins, the most expansive cliff dwellings in the park. This view is from partway down the canyon rim, looking toward Chinle Wash, at the bottom of the canyon:
Lots of cactus blooming that year, thanks to a wet winter:
Looking across at one of the ruins -- dwarfed by the sandstone walls of Canyon De Chelly. I believe this one is Mummy Cave:
Along the White House trail, there's a neat tunnel, carved behind a slab of fallen sandstone (with my better half at the far end):
We spotted our first collared lizard of the trip on this hike -- and he (she?) was quite patient, posing for me for at least five minutes:
My wife inevitably reading the guidebook on the way down -- I think her expression says "THIS is a short hike?" (alas, the marriage has lasted 27 years, now, so she must have forgiven me...)
Down at river level, the route crosses Chinle Wash, with some really magnificent views of the canyon walls -- you can see hikers crossing the wash in the distance:
The White House ruins come abruptly into view after a short walk through mesquite and cottonwood. The lower complex is fenced off because the local Navajo residents actively graze goats and other livestock in the canyon:
A closer look at the White House ruin, showing some of the construction details, plus rock art on the wall below the upper complex (a human figure, with a roadrunner below):
After hiking out of the canyon, we stopped by the canyon overlook of Spider Rock, the most famous landmark at Canyon De Chelly, and spiritually significant to the Navajo. It's one of the more stunning sandstone towers in the Four Corners area -- and my recollection is that it stands close to 900 feet tall, so sort of a Beacon Rock on a diet...
If you're down in the Four Corners country, it's definitely worth visit Canyon De Chelly. It's a bit off the main national park circuit, but relatively close to Chaco Canyon (which is by far the best Anasazi complex in the Southwest -- my favorite ruins), so makes for a good combo.
Not sure why I didn't step in front of the camera for this set, but picture lots of hair and a bright red sunburn...
-Tom
