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| Hiking | 0.80 Miles |
100 AEG |
| | Hiking | 0.80 Miles | 1 Hour 54 Mns | | 1.71 mph |
| 100 ft AEG | 1 Hour 26 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Our group met at the lookout above Square Tower House where we had a quick introduction about the area's history and what the trip down had in store. We walked a short ways on a trail before descending on the first of two ladders. The trail then scurried along the cliff side (there was a fence, unfortunately) to a series of steps carved into the rock. The steps led to the second ladder which took us to the bottom of the cliff. Our guide accidentally took us the wrong way up some steps to a very narrow opening under a boulder, similar to the crawl at Balcony House. I can't remember what he called it, but I think it was the Batman Squeeze. There's about 7 inches between the boulder and the sandstone cliff. Most of the group headed for the regular trail while 2 others and myself gave it a go. One of the two couldn't make it because of one of the steps. After making it through, it was a short, off-trail-like jaunt to Square Tower House. If only they would let us come back this way.
Square Tower House was incredible. To be honest, though, the tower looks much taller from the lookout. We got to see the Crow's Nest, which isn't visible unless you enter the dwelling. They believe it to be a defensive structure. There were a few pottery shards here and there, some petroglyphs, a partially intact kiva roof, and Gustaf Nordenskiold and John Wetherill inscriptions, making this one a historical goldmine. We all took turns standing in the two or three places we were allowed to stand. People were also scanning the walls with the rangers for more petroglyphs and what not. I snapped a couple more pictures without people before heading out. The tour wasn't long enough. |
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Route Editor
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