Chaco Canyon, NM
Accompanied by my friends Mike and Kim, I spent the 2nd of January exploring Chaco Canyon National Historical Park in northwest New Mexico. The park contains the largest and grandest example of ancient ruins in America, the pueblos of the Chacoan people who inhabited the area approximately 1,000 years ago. For more on the history of the region, check Wikipedia’s article.
The three of us spent about six hours roaming around the various sites within the canyon marveling at the masonry, petroglyphs and shear immensity of the constructions. Yeah, we broke a rule or two by climbing on nearby rocks and accidentally ending up inside areas that were roped off, but it’s not like we were disrespectful. These structures, having survived at least a millennium exposed as they are, now face increased erosion brought by the many visitors to the park in addition to the increased littering that comes with them. The park is maintained fairly well, but obviously the entirety of it cannot be patrolled all the time. So inevitably there is some littering that occurs… whether intentional or not. I did my part by removing some trash I found along the way. Consequently, if a picture surfaces of me perched on a wall at Pueblo Bonito, don’t worry. I earned it.
Update: Added four photos taken by Mike.
