몬테주마 카운티 최고의 워킹 & 하이킹 경로

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.

The Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, is the largest and most famous cliff dwelling in North America and an architectural masterpiece of the Ancestral Pueblo people. It was built between 1190 and 1280 in a rock niche in the canyon wall from sandstone blocks, mortar, and wooden beams. The settlement housed approximately 100 people and served as a social and ceremonial center. The site can only be visited as part of a ranger-led tour, which involves descending uneven steps and several ladders.

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

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.

To get up to the Balcony House, you must climb some steep, narrow stone steps, with chains for your hands to help you up. There is also a modern 32-foot entrance ladder (the tallest in the park!) up to the dwelling. Please be patient with other visitors as they navigate this portion of the guided tour up to the site.

The petroglyph panel along the Petroglyph Point Trail in Mesa Verde National Park measures over 35 feet wide and contains more than 30 distinct carvings created by the Ancestral Pueblo people. These petroglyphs include representations of human figures, animals, spirals, handprints, and abstract designs, with the exact meanings of the carvings unknown. Preserving this panel is crucial, as the carvings are fragile and irreplaceable. Visitors are reminded not to touch or deface the petroglyphs to ensure their survival for future generations.

Beautiful view, worth the stop.

Fantastic visit !