New Mexico Outdoor
Roughing It In Luxury-Abiquiu, New Mexico 505.901.7321
Chaco Canyon
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Canyon is extremely remote, 150 miles distant from NMO and practically anything else! The drive there, however, is full of amazing landscapes ..and thru the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Chaco canyon is the remains of what was a thriving community built almost 1,000 years ago..by the Anasazi, ancestors of today’s Pueblo peoples. Chaco and Bandelier, both in New Mexico and well preserved by the National Park Service. These are not really hikes..but walks thru ancient history. On the approach, and for dozens of miles..Fajada Butte..holds spiritual significance to those ancient Anasazi’s (in Navajo..‘dreaded enemy’) and the Native peoples of today:
The community once bustled with activity. Irrigation systems were build, fields were leveled and roads layed out in and around Chaco. Now, only remains of several hundred stone walled buildings. Among them and still partially standing today are the ruins of 9 multi story dwellings known as the “Great Houses of Chaco”:
Pueblo Bonito is one of the 9 “Great Houses, and was divided into more than 650 rooms. Great Houses are noted for their numerous circular ceremonial chambers called Kivas:
The massive sizes and planning of “The Great Houses” were unprecedented and unequalled in the contemporary Anasazi world. The elaborate design and size of the structires suggest a very prosperous, almost urban community with a resident population in the thousands:
We designed our own steps (5 different entrances) after those at chaco..by showing this picture to our builder:
Pueblo Bonito and the other Great Houses in the canyon are constructed from blocks of sandstone, carefully coursed (horizontally aligned) in beautiful patterns:
These masonry patterns are a well known feature of Chacoan architecture:
Then…in the 1100’s AD …and after having inhabited this canyon for about 300 years..they suddenly ..and without explanation ..disappeared:
Leaving ..we’re awed again by Fajada Butte, standing witness to our evacuation as well as that of the Anasazi’s about 900 years ago!
After they disappeared…they diversed into many different tribes of Pueblo Indians who still thrive today! They consider Chaco Canyon a sacred place. A place that speaks today of ancestry, survival, spirituality, and connections. Dan
New Mexico Outdoor Navigational Links
- Backpacking & Camping
- Orienteering
- GeoCache
- Vista Del La Sotella
- Box Canyon-Ghost Ranch (Updated)
- Window Rock Hike (Updated & With Garmin Route)
- Copper Canyon (Updated)
- Rincon del Cuervo (Updated wih Garmin Route-Rim Trail)
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks (Updated)
- Sierra Negra (Updated)
- Heron-El Vado Lakes
- Continental Divide Trail With 2010's Section Hike in June!
- Cerro Pedernal (Updated with Directions and Garmin Route)
- The Lake Hike (Updated With Garmin Route)
- Spring Bosque Hike
- Mica Mine Peak
- Rim Vista Hike (With Garmin Tracks)
- NMO to Ojo Caliente Minerals Springs (With Garmin Tracks)
- The White Place (New Page with Garmin Tracks)
- Wheeler Peak (New Page with Garmin Route)
- Canjilon Lakes
- Middle Fork Gila River (New Page)
- Pecos Wilderness & Northern Sangre de Cristo (New Page)
- The Black Range (Southern NM-New Page)
- The Four Corners
- New Mexico
- Santa Fe
- Indian Market (New Page)
- International Folk Art Market (New Page)
- Spanish Market (New Page)
- Taos (Updated)
- Los Alamos (Updated)
- Chama (New Page)
- Albuquerque (New Page)
- Petroglyphs National Monument (New Page)
- International Balloon Fiesta (New Page)
- New Mexico Info -New Mexico Trivia & Fascinating Facts
- Hatch Chili Fiesta (New Page)
- Carlsbad Caverns (New Page)
- The Great American Duck Race (New Page)
- White Sands National Monument (New Page)
- Roswell (New Page)
- Gila Wilderness (New Page)
- Recommended Reading (New Page)
- Recommended Movies (New Page)
- Santa Fe
- Regional Activities
- Abiquiu (Updated)
- Excerpt "The Ditch"
- Local Scenery (Updated)
- Christ in the Desert Monestary (New Page)
- Echo Amphitheater (New Page)
- Ghost Ranch (New Page)
- Scenic Road Trips
- Route 66
- Colorado Rockies
- Jemez Mountains
- Turquoise Trail (New Page)
- Enchanted Circle (New Page)
- Taos High Road (New Page-Very Close To Us)
- Hot Springs Interlude (New Page-We're Part of this Road Trip)
- Rio Route (New Page-Very Close To Us)
- An Abiquiu Outing (New Page-Begins Right Here!)
- Climate of New Mexico (New Page)
- X Skiing (New Page)
