Canyons of the Ancients

 This is an amazing hike. Sand Canyon Trail. You want to start on South end which is on road G. A good hike through a canyon and there are a dozen or so ruins along the way. The trail is 12 miles rt. I went 10 rt. There are many short spur trails along the way. You want to go down these! This is where most of the ruins are and interesting rock formations. The desert is in good shape here. I saw no one until I turned around. Then I saw about a dozen people. Parking is not an issue.

It started cold, maybe 40. It was 25 when I woke up. It made me wonder about living in a cliff dwelling. They are mostly in an area with a big rock overhang and it was hard to take pictures because they are not in the sun much. Must have been cold in the winter!

Canyons of the Ancients and this trail in particular is a good place to spend time if you are in this area.

Mesa Verde

 It was a good day but I know from previous times at the park it could have been a lot better. Mesa Verde is still in winter mode. Tours of the cliff dwellings don't start until May 1. That means you can't get close to the bigger cliff dwellings. Wetherall Mesa road is closed for winter and the Cliff Palace loop is closed for construction. So, about 25% of the park is up and running. The two nice hiking trails, Petroglyph and Spruce Canyon were open. So, it was a nice day hiking mostly. I also went to the Far View sites which I had never been to before. Pretty interesting with the remains of some larger buildings and a reservoir. I guess I should have looked into this a little more! 

Very slow to non existant internet at the campground tonight. 

A few pictures taken in the visitor center: