Chaco Canyon 4-11-12 to 4-14-12

[ttora4runner]

I'm going to keep the write-up of this trip report simple since I'm not sure how to express my thoughts exactly. The best way I can think of to sum up the events that lead up to this trip is that at some point you just have to cry “Uncle”. When you reach the point where your frustration and the stress of work starts to get you and you find yourself being a little short tempered and easily irritated you know you need a break. So it was off to Chaco Canyon, New Mexico for a few days.

Traveling though the Rio Grande National Forest, I'll have to make another visit to this place

The ruins located at the campground within the park.

Attempt at a night photo

Day 1: The trail out to the Wijiji Ruin is accessible by either foot or bike. I chose to hike out to rather than bike since I had a long ride planned after wards to another ruin.

Fajada Butte in the background

Wijiji Ruin occupied between 1100 and 1150 AD

Petroglyph's just past Wijiji

Once I finished visiting Wijiji I head back to camp to changes clothes before heading out again to Kin Klizhin ruin.

Heading out to Kin Klizhin via bike

One lonely road, I was the only out here.

 

[ttora4runner]

Kin Klizhin

After visiting Kin Klizhin I headed back to camp for lunch and some rest before heading back out again. After lunch I decided to head out to Kin Bincola though the south enterance just past where Kin Klizhin is located. I came to the conclusion that not many people take this route since it's a bit confusing and unless you have a vehicle with high clearance you probable wouldn't make it. I think I confused the land owner when coming back since I don't think he sees very many people along the route (yes, it's a legal route to the park that crosses though private property)

Random site while heading out

Kin Bineola occupied between 850 and 1150 AD

 

[ttora4runner]

Day 2

Hungo Pavi Ruin occupied between 1000-1150's A.D.

 

[ttora4runner]

Chetro Ketl occupied between 950-1250's A.D.

Petroglyph trail along the way to Pueblo Bonito

Pueblo Bonito

Wall supports

 

[ttora4runner]

Pueblo Bonito from the Pueblo Alto trail

Casa Chiquita occuiped between 1100-1150's A.D.

Petroglyph trail

Supernova Panel

Penasco Blanco ruin

View from Penasco Blanco looking back towards the valley

 

[ttora4runner]

Kin Kletso occuiped between 1100-1150's A.D.

Pueblo Alto trail

The way up (a 4 year old and a 70 year old grandma made the hike up)

The man behind the camera

Another tight squeeze

Jackson Stairyway

Pueblo Alto

 

[ttora4runner]

New Alto

Pueblo Del Arroyo ruin

 

[ttora4runner]

Cass Rinconda Community occupied between 1075-1250's A.D.

Una Vida ruin occupied between 850-1250's A.D.

Petroglyph Panel

Fajada Butte

Day 2 was a very long day. I ended up hiking every trail within the park and wound up with a very sore left knee.


Day 3 still to come.

 

[james727]

Awesome pictures!

 

[Dirtytires]

what type of camera?

 

[Richie]

Good stuff! I really do need to make it out there sometime. Any rough roads requiring 4 wheel drive?

 

[ttora4runner]

Day 3- Final day in the park

For my final day in the park I headed off to Tsin Kletzin/South Mesa Loop and Pueblo Pintado (just outside of the park)

Headin out to Tsin Kletzin, Pueblo Alto in the background

Tight squeeze headin up the trail

Tsin Kletzin in the background

South Mesa Loop - the clouds in the background would soon catch up to me

The trail below back to the parking lot

 

[ttora4runner]

My final stop for the day was Pueblo Pintado located just outside of the park. When I arrived the storm that I saw off in the distance while on the south mesa loop earlier that morning caught up to me and was bitter cold.

The raging dust storm

Pueblo Pintado occupied form 900-1250's A.D.

The only ruin that I didn't see visting during this trip was Kin Ya'a just SW of the park.

Overall, though the trip was sorely needed and a welcome bit of relaxation from the craziness of life. I'm looking fowarded to other trips later this year as I'm sure they will be needed.

 

[ttora4runner]

Really, the only road I could think of would be the road out to Kin Klizhin and the backroad out of the park.

 

[ttora4runner]

what type of camera?

Panasonic Lumix FH20.