09/24/2008 to 09/25/2008
Canyon de Chelly in Chinle, Arizona has been on our list of places to go for quite a while and we finally made it. We went with our friends, Arlene & Don who are always up for an adventure.
The north and south rims each have their own unique formations and ancient dwellings which you can see from the numerous overlooks. However, the jeep tour on the valley floor is the best way to really appreciate the area. I recommend you do this with good friends since the back seat of a jeep isn not known for being roomy and you will be quite close as you bounce along.
- Canyon de Chelly - South Rim Day 1
- Canyon de Chelly - Jeep Tour
- Canyon de Chelly - North Rim Day 2
- Canyon de Chelly - South Rim Day 2
We made it to Chinle in late afternoon, checked into our hotel, and decided to do a quick ride up the South Rim road. Naturally we went right to the end to try to get some late afternoon shots of Spider Rock and then back track stopping at some of the overlooks along the way.
Spider Rock, where lived Spider Woman who taught humans to weave
The valley around Spider Rock is just beautiful
The view across the valley
The view of the valley from Tunnel Overlook
Just a great rock at Tunnel Overlook
Looking down at one of the dwellings
One of the few shots that has George in it. Love my hair flying in the breeze?
Looking the other way up the valley from Tunnel Overlook
Way down there are the ruins of what is called The White House
The upper and lower ruins at White House
Just what's so interesting down there?
Ah, that's what's so interesting. The little ants are people on the trail down to White House
Up early for the jeep tour. We opted for site over comfort and selected the open jeep rather than an enclosed SUV. It's a bit tight in the back but you get a bit of exercise climbing in and out at the various stops. Lots and lots and lots of ruins so there are lots of pictures.
Just to let you know we were not alone out there
First stop, petroglyphs. Some are very old and fading. And don't forget the bullet hole where someone shot at them
Some very, very strange forms here
Love the arrow in the butt
Squiggly lines, shock hair, holding hands, and aliens
This might represent water but no one is sure
Junction Ruin is our first stop after the petroglyph rock
More of Junction Ruin
A shot from our jeep as we swish our way down the sandy valley floor
White House ruins has an upper and lower section
You can see the white plaster still present on part of the upper ruins
Part of the lower section of White House
The upper portion of White House. Note the petroglyph of the figure who was splattered on the wall
Lots of graffiti on the plastered portion of White House.
Walking up to the Ledge Ruin
These are the Ledge Ruins
This small house might have been for storing corn or grains
Poison Rock - one drop and we're all dead. Don't groan, I didn't make it up. Our guide did
A better shot of Poison Rock.
These pictures commemorate the Great Ute Raid when the Spanish and some Ute allies killed many Navajo
The Spanish are quite distinct from the Utes who do not wear hats and carry shields
Our jeep tour took the first part of our day leaving us the rest of the day to see the North Rim overlooks and revisit other sites we did not see when we arrived. Naturally there are lots of pictures of more ruins and great rock formations. So much fun, so little time.
From Antelope House Overlook you see Black Canyon to the right and Canyon Del Muerto to the right
Those little colorful spots on the rock are Arlene and Sharon
Gee, what would Antelope House be without antelope petroglyphs?
Antelope Ruins sit on the valley floor snuggled up to a huge cliff
Moving up the road you come to the Mummy Cave and Massacre Cave
Mummy Cave is called mummy cave because they found a mummy in them. That's them nestled in the wall
Rather large remains
Some white plastering can still be seen
Massacre Cave - well it's more a indent than a cave but until guns came along it provided protection for women and children
Yucca Ruins
Back to the South Rim and another shot at Spider Rock and some of the overlooks along the way.
Looking down on Spider Rock and the valley below
The sun moved out from behind the cloud as we were standing there
Just a spectacular view of the valley off to the right
It almost looks like a painted backdrop at a studio doesn't it?
The valley beyond Spider Rock
Just resting and enjoying the views
This is Face Rock. If you look really, really hard you can see the ruins tucked into that ledge half-way up the rock