Top 13 Caves コロラドでの

The Balcony House in Mesa Verde National Park is one of the best-preserved cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Pueblo people. A long parapet wall and prominent balconies give the settlement its name. Balcony House is a striking testament to the architecture and daily life of the Pueblo peoples in the 13th century. Visits are only possible as part of a ranger-led tour and require climbing a 10-meter-high wooden ladder and crawling through a short, narrow tunnel.

Saddle horn ruin is visible from the trail and is a lovely sight to behold

Beautiful cooling caves

Beautiful to visit and nice and cool in the cave openings in the summer.

Sulphur Cave has a temperature: of 73°F. According to the sign, this is the most mysterious of the springs. Legend has it that the early Indians used this cave and its springs during rituals. Oracles in similar sites throughout the world have prophesied future events after being mesmerized by sulphur vapors. The geologic features of this cave are particularly unique, displaying the strength of the springs as they travel upward through the porous rock. There is a significant amount of bacterial/algae growth called myceum, the original life form dating back 4 billion years. No entry.

The Balcony House Tour in Mesa Verde National Park is a one-hour, ranger-guided experience that provides a chance to learn about a mid-sized cliff dwelling with 38 rooms and two kivas. This strenuous tour requires participants to descend a 130-step staircase, climb a 32-foot ladder to enter the site, navigate small ladders and uneven steps in the dwelling, crawl through an 18-inch wide by 12-foot long tunnel, and ascend a 60-foot open cliff face with uneven steps and then back down two 17-foot ladders. Reservations are required and can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777, starting 14 days in advance. The tour begins at the Balcony House parking area on Cliff Palace Loop Road, which is accessible seasonally. It is not recommended for individuals with heart or respiratory issues, problems with heights and ladders, and children must be able to climb the ladders on their own.

Fantastic visit !

The Sand Canyon Trail is a one of a kind trail. It's true to its name in the fact that it's sandy and travels up a canyon the whole time. That being said, it's almost guaranteed to provide you with a lot of solitude since not a ton of people hike this trail. It's also lined with cool rock features, canyon plants, and lots of hidden caves and ancient ruins. There are spur trails that lead to most of the ruins accessible off the side of the path.