Chicago Trip, Day 17, Mesa Verde

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North America » United States » Colorado
May 15th 2023

Published: June 15th 2023

Jamie and Laura

Today we spent the day in Mesa Verde National Park. We saw dozens of Ancestral Pueblos six months ago on our trip to Texas, but nothing we saw then can hold a candle to Mesa Verde. Unfortunately, we weren't able to tour Balcony House because those tours didn't open until after Memorial Day, but we were able to go on the Cliff Palace tour. It was amazing. Another fantastic day.

Additional photos below

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The drive to Mesa Verde was full of wildflowers

The drive to Mesa Verde was full of wildflowers

The drive to Mesa Verde was full of wildflowers

and the usual interesting rocks.

and the usual interesting rocks.

and the usual interesting rocks.

When we came here in October, it was snowing heavily and the roads were unplowed, so the Visitor Center was as far as we got.

When we came here in October, it was snowing heavily and the roads were unplowed, so the Visitor Center was as far as we got.

When we came here in October, it was snowing heavily and the roads were unplowed, so the Visitor Center was as far as we got.

So it was great to be able to come back again during this trip to try again!

So it was great to be able to come back again during this trip to try again!

So it was great to be able to come back again during this trip to try again!

We drove up to the top of the mesa

We drove up to the top of the mesa

We drove up to the top of the mesa

and got to see the views along the way.

and got to see the views along the way.

and got to see the views along the way.

Our first stop was the Cliff Palace Overlook

Our first stop was the Cliff Palace Overlook

Our first stop was the Cliff Palace Overlook

followed by the ranger-guided tour

followed by the ranger-guided tour

followed by the ranger-guided tour

Where we were not able to wander around much

Where we were not able to wander around much

Where we were not able to wander around much

but still got to see quite a bit

but still got to see quite a bit

but still got to see quite a bit

of this really expansive

of this really expansive

of this really expansive

and amazing place.

and amazing place.

and amazing place.

The trail in and out was not for the faint of heart

The trail in and out was not for the faint of heart

The trail in and out was not for the faint of heart

but was also quite short

but was also quite short

but was also quite short

so it wasn't bad at all.

so it wasn't bad at all.

so it wasn't bad at all.

Cliff Canyon is full of ruins

Cliff Canyon is full of ruins

Cliff Canyon is full of ruins

and you're left to wonder how people got in and out

and you're left to wonder how people got in and out

and you're left to wonder how people got in and out

and what some of them were used for.

and what some of them were used for.

and what some of them were used for.

It's hard to see this as a teeming city

It's hard to see this as a teeming city

It's hard to see this as a teeming city

With buildings under every overhang and the Rocky Mountains in the background.

With buildings under every overhang and the Rocky Mountains in the background.

With buildings under every overhang and the Rocky Mountains in the background.

This is Spruce Tree House

This is Spruce Tree House

This is Spruce Tree House

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