Another Interlude and A Visit to Chimney Rock

The 'chimneys' at Chimney Rock National Monument

Although some may have concluded from the long delay between blogs that Silver’s brakes gave out and we plunged down the side of a mountain on our way to Pagosa Springs, I am happy to report that is not the case!  We are safe and sound with new brake pads installed and are now in Nacogdoches attending our first week of classes. 

What a crazy month it has been!  Many things have occurred to keep me from posting blogs, some my own fault and some that couldn’t be helped.  We have done so many things the past month and there is much to catch up on, so I will make several blog posts over the next few weeks to get it all up to date.

Maya and her buddy Rocky, hanging out by the San Juan River

After our stay at Silver Thread Campground near Creede, Colorado we made our way to Pagosa Springs.  The brake light stayed on as we maneuvered the mountain passes on the way.  Wolf Creek Pass in particular was a bit scary as it is descends steeply.  We did see where a truck had not made it to the ‘Runaway Truck’ Ramp and had indeed plunged down the mountain.  We were quite happy to make it safely to Pagosa Springs.

Collared Lizard at Chimney Rock

We stayed several days in Pagosa and met friends Dustin, Melissa and their Australian Shepard, Rocky for a day before they headed back to the Austin area.  We had a cookout at our campground along the San Juan River topped off with ice cream and homemade cookies.  The dogs got reacquainted and we all had a great evening. It was over way too soon and we were sad to see them go the next day.  (I think they were a bit sad to be leaving the cool mountains for hot Texas…)

Melissa and Dustin

Going back to Texas...

During our stay in the Pagosa Springs area we visited Chimney Rock National Monument, located about 20 miles to the west.  One of the newest of our National Monuments administered by the National Forest Service, Chimney Rock was proclaimed a National Monument in September 2012 for its unique archaeological structures, pottery and artifacts.  Naturally formed twin pinnacles that resemble chimneys stand above the sight that was home to the Ancestral Puebloans of over 1000 years ago.

Ruins of some of the living quarters of the settlement

Settled by native peoples of the Chacoan culture, mysteries and legends about Chimney Rock abound.  As the highest in elevation and most remote community tied to Chaco Canyon in northern New Mexico, Chimney Rock evokes many questions.  Why did the Chacoan people, primarily an agricultural culture, come to this remote and harsh place where growing crops was very difficult? What, if any, significance, did the landmarks of the ‘chimney’ formations have for the Chacoans?   Why did they come and why did they leave?

We had an excellent guide that was an archaeology student in Durango.

This structure is believed to be the astronomy room.

David and I have always wanted to visit Chaco Canyon and have yet to do it, so we were thrilled to see this site with its hundreds of structures including a Chacoan Great House Pueblo, Great Kiva and the everyday multi-family dwellings of the common people.  Many structures on the site have been excavated and stabilized for viewing.  The site is restricted to tours only so it is well preserved with little damage. 
 

Ruins of a kiva with San Juan Mountains in the distance

Guided Interpretive tours are led by volunteers who walk visitors through the grounds to see the structures (the monument is not well-funded yet, so volunteers provide most of the services – Yay, volunteers!).  We had an excellent tour guide and spent about 2 hours walking the site. 

Like Chaco Canyon, it is believed that many of the structures at Chimney Rock are tied to astronomical events, especially those having to do with moon cycles.  So many questions may never be answered but archaeologists are now seeking help from today’s Puebloan cultures of the four corners area.  Many of today’s Puebloan peoples are believed to be descended from the Chacoans and have similar rituals and ceremonies that may shed light on some of Chimney Rock's mysteries.

Standing on the walls of the Great Kiva, believed to be where some 

of the special ceremonies relating to the moon cycles were held.

Maya spent time her time at the monument in a kennel in the shade of a large pinyon pine tree while we explored the ruins.  Chimney Rock is very friendly to traveling pets, providing shady outdoor enclosures free of charge for visitors to the monument.  Maya was a very good girl (except for a little digging in the dirt) and the volunteers enjoyed hanging out with her until we returned.

Young Native American on our guided tour making a 'selfie'

The day was sunny and quickly becoming hot so we returned by noon to our campsite outside of Pagosa Springs for lunch and a nap.  We had to rest up for our big hike on the Continental Divide Trail the next day.

The stone work had recently been restored on the astronomy room.

The Chaco Indians were excellent masons.

David’s Stats:

Days Hiked   1     
Total Miles Hiked    1.50     
Total Elevation Gain  350