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Backpacker magazine did a write up on the Devil's Chasm Ruins in their latest issue. I understand all of the arguments for and against, but I find myself irrationally unbalanced on this one. It just simply pisses me off. Hopefully it is still out of the way enough to prevent further destruction. thoughts?

Although I fear the impact, the vast majority of Backpacker readers think the only thing worth seeing in AZ is the Grand Canyon. With one or two exceptions, the only ones I've been able to sell on AZ are those who already discovered it for themselves.

There has been significant damage from the first time I visited to my last visit last year. The same is true maybe even more so for Pueblo Canyon and Roger's Canyon. For some reason people recently think it's cool to camp in them and build fires against the fragile several hundred year old walls. Not a fan. Haven't seen the article. Do they actually touch on ruins etiquette and preserving these special places or do they just give beta and send you on your way?

bart01 wrote:The has been significant damage from the first time I visited to my last visit last year. The same is true maybe even more so for Pueblo Canyon and Roger's Canyon. For some reason people recently think it's cool to camp in them and build fires against the fragile several hundred year old walls.

Yeah, that really bothers me, too. The first time I went to Rogers Canyon, someone had camped in the ruin.

I'd like to see the establishment of a "Sierra Ancha Cliff Dwellings National Monument", protecting Devils Chasm, Cold Spring, and Pueblo Canyon Ruins. That area is so remote that I doubt it would ever happen, but I can dream. ;)

Preston the yeti wrote:I'd like to see the establishment of a "Sierra Ancha Cliff Dwellings National Monument", protecting Devils Chasm, Cold Spring, and Pueblo Canyon Ruins.

Good idea!

Preston the yeti wrote:That area is so remote that I doubt it would ever happen, but I can dream.

Never give up hope. Parashant, one of the most remote areas in the lower 48, is now a national monument. Although this hasn't instantly solved all of the issues there, solutions are slowing being implemented...