Northern Arizona - October 2008

Native American Ruins

Wupatki National Monument

Wupatki National Monument is just north of Sunset Crater Volcano NP (there is a nice loop road running between the 2 parks). Below are a few shots of various ruins scattered around Wupatki park.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon National Monument is a short ride east of  Flagstaff. According to the National Park Service, the canyon was cut over a period of 60 million years, and was inhabited 800yrs to 900yrs ago. The entire canyon complex is 20mi long, 1/4mi wide, and 400ft deep.

I only spent a couple of hours here. There are 2 trails; the "Rim Trail" and the "Island Trail" which leads down into the canyon. I walked most of the way down the "Island Trail", which takes you 185ft below the canyon rim (with 260+ steps). This may not sound like a lot, but considering the rim is at ~7000ft elevation, the NPS lists this trail as "Strenuous". The trip down into the canyon was easy, but the trip back up was definitely a workout. Of the 25+ plus people I passed on the trail, every one were huffing and puffing on the walk up!

	One of the canyon walls. At first, you are standing on the trail looking at the canyon saying "Okay, pretty canyon but nothing special"...
	...But then structures like these start popping out. There are dozens of them scattered around the canyon walls.
	Another long abandoned home.