Mesa Verde Nat'l Park This Summer?

[twogypsies]

Here's a nice article on it:

https://www.nationalparkstraveler.or...-national-park

[Donskiman]

We enjoyed our visit last year, but several exhibits and areas of the park were closed and had been closed for several years. The linked site doesn't mention if or when any of the closed areas were opened now.

[andy29847]

Mese Verde is magical!! Two other things in the area I'd recommend are: Ride the Durango to Silverton Train. Visit Telluride and ride the gondola system (free).

[Gravelette]

Such a cool place! You can't just roam around unsupervised so hopefully the "hiring freeze" business will be abandoned before summer. IIRC the most interesting walk involved a couple of rustic ladders and a gate at the start to weed out fatties who might get stuck in a short tunnel. I agree that the Durango-Silverton RR is also a must do. Rock wall inches away on one side, long drop on the other!

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Gravelette

...... the most interesting walk involved a couple of rustic ladders and a gate at the start to weed out fatties who might get stuck in a short tunnel.

Yes, I remember that tunnel!

[ppine]

It used to be open all year. I loved being there in the winter with no one around.

[Brunnie]

Originally Posted by ppine

It used to be open all year. I loved being there in the winter with no one around.

It still is open in the winter, only closing for the time needed to clear the road of snow.

[Docsouce]

If you have an extra day Hovenweep National Monument is very interesting too.

[ppine]

Thanks to Brunnie. The regulations seem to change over time.

I will never forget visiting a restored large kiva in December. I was at the altar by my myself, watching the snow flakes in a ray of sunshine coming through the ladder entrance hole. It was the first time I really felt the presence of Native Americans and those that came before. Since that time over 50 years ago I worked with several companies that had archaeologists on staff. I have done lots of Class III surveys of archaeology and the sites like MV have even more meaning.

[SLOweather]

If you are looking for a sound track for your visits, look for a CD or 2 of Native American Flute by R. Carlos Nakai. Canyon Trilogy is a good one to start with. We first found him at a Visitor Center at Petrified Forest NP many moons ago. Listening to that while driving through the parks or parked really added to the ambience.

[ppine]

I really like native drumming and singing. We used to listen to the Navajo radio station out of Window Rock working on the Res. Sometimes we heard it live at the community center in Kayenta.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by ppine

I really like native drumming and singing. We used to listen to the Navajo radio station out of Window Rock working on the Res. Sometimes we heard it live at the community center in Kayenta.

We once visited Canyon de Chelly in New Mexico and one evening we went into town to a PowWow that was advertised. We were the only non-Indians there! The super nice people all around us were explaining the dances and what they meant. It was an awesome experience!

[MooseCountry]

Further north of Mesa Verde near Meeker, Colorado there's a major battlefield which is still much like it was in 1879.

https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mil...ttle-colorado/

https://www.denverlibrary.org/blog/c...eeker-massacre

[ppine]

Canyon de Chelley, Chaco Canyon, Navajo Mtn, Montezuma's Castle, Bernallio NM, Wapatki NM. The Four Corners areas is full of great sites to visit.