Nordhoff-Hope Cliff Dwelling/SiteV:1:170, AZ

William Hope and Walter Nordhoff visited this Sierra Ancha site on November 19, 1880, while conducting a mineral assessment of the area for the United States Geological Survey(USGS). The Nordhoff-Hope 1880 mineral survey is also evident from abandoned mining adits dotted along the very scenic FR203A driving route. Dr. Richard C. Lange has continued the legacy with the Sierra Ancha Project starting in 1983 and continuing to present day.

This short off trail hike (via a defined use trail)is an interesting side trek to an 800 year old Salado Cliff Dwelling estimated to have approximately 20 rooms which included it's possible interconnecting cliff-cave inner rooms. Due to the very tricky ~25-30 foot sheer cliff climbs required to reach the ledge edge for entrance into these more interesting upper cliff dwellings, this visit will have to leave most with just an imagination of what might reside within...

For this off-trail hike, follow the fence line from the old corral area by working you way downhill along the slope on the obvious but overgrown "use trail" heading west towards the Coon Creek drainage. As you start dropping downhill along this "use trail", a cliff will appear to the right containing this cliff dwelling (at way point N33.75372 W110.87736). This is the Nordhoff-Hope Site V:1:170. From the cliff dwelling you have commanding views of the Coon Creek drainage to the west and south.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

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2010-05-11 Grasshopper