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Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings - 10 members in 18 triplogs have rated this an average 3.6 ( 1 to 5 best )
18 triplogs
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Apr 25 2021
avatar

 Triplogs 11

51 male
 Joined Sep 04 2017
 Phoenix, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 25 2021
Stacheman • Triplogs 11
Hiking2.28 Miles 654 AEG
Hiking2.28 Miles   3 Hrs   5 Mns   1.00 mph
654 ft AEG      48 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
TH is a pull off on the side of the road. You have to crawl through the fence to get to the TH. Nice hike, a bit of a steep climb to get to the cliffs. But so worth it to explore these caves. Tons of pottery sherds and evidence of past lives. Make sure you go to both ends of the cliff to see everything.
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Apr 02 2021
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 Routes 174
 Photos 471
 Triplogs 184

51 male
 Joined Mar 16 2019
 Phoenix
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 02 2021
AugustWest • Triplogs 184
Hiking1.42 Miles 494 AEG
Hiking1.42 Miles      53 Mns   1.67 mph
494 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Was up in Camp Verde for the first available vaccination and had some time before I got stuck. Pull off of 260 is super easy to find as were the cliff dwellings.

As a rule I haven't sought out these types of ruins hikes with the exception of Roger's Trough a few years ago. This was a pleasant surprise with a lot of little pocket dwellings to explore in the cliffs.

I had Luna with me so nothing was too scramblely in the bands that needed to be navigated. She did suprise me in a few spots with just how agile she is.

Temps were in the mid 70's to start at around 9 with no one to be seen at the trailhead.
_____________________
Wildflower seed in the sand and wind
May the four winds blow you home again
 
Aug 29 2018
avatar

 Guides 100
 Routes 63
 Photos 2,548
 Triplogs 184

76 male
 Joined Nov 21 2015
 Grand Junction,
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2018
Steph_and_Blake • Triplogs 184
Hiking3.00 Miles 443 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   2 Hrs      1.50 mph
443 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We weren't at the Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings (north of 260 and across from the Dollar General), but in the area. Came across some pottery, worked stone, and (with some imagination) a broken point. I'd like to think it broke upon impact with the bone of a deer or elk. Or, it could be just a simple, chipped piece of quartz that spurred a fantasy in my eager mind.
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Wildflowers Observation Light
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Stephanie and Blake Barnard
 
Aug 10 2016
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 10 2016
mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387
Hiking1.50 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles      50 Mns   1.80 mph
450 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
On our way to Grand Canyon we did a short layover in Camp Verde in order to pick up my wife's dad (Cliff). Picked this hike for its closeness and shortness. When I mentioned the hike, Cliff was aware of it having done it 10+ years ago. Back then he said there had been no real trail and it was more a scramble to the ruins. When we got there on Wed. afternoon we were the only car in the small pull off area. There was a sign at the TH that said in appreciation to the MacDonald Family. And from the sign, there was a trail, as described, that went up to the cave ruins. It was pretty cool to view the caves. In my limited experience, it seems that most ruins are either off limits or eroded/abused by timed/man that it is hard for me to truly appreciate what I'm seeing. The cave ruins definitely fave me a foundation from which I could imagine. From there I climbed to the top and checked out the pueblo ruins. First headed east and then turned to the west where I discovered the remnants of the walls. My wife and Cliff were chilling in the car as they had decided that it was too warm for hike so I didn't spend too much time exploring. Liked to come back at a cooler time so my wife could enjoy "her home town ruins."
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Aug 09 2016
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 Photos 23
 Triplogs 21

48 male
 Joined Jul 31 2016
 Sedona, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
 Hiking avatar Aug 09 2016
emptypockets • Triplogs 21
 Hiking2.50 Miles 450 AEG
 Hiking2.50 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Jun 29 2016
avatar

 Photos 23
 Triplogs 21

48 male
 Joined Jul 31 2016
 Sedona, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jun 29 2016
emptypockets • Triplogs 21
 Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
 Hiking1.32 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
May 26 2016
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 Guides 110
 Routes 2,246
 Photos 8,982
 Triplogs 2,600

45 female
 Joined Dec 24 2007
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar May 26 2016
LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600
Hiking1.31 Miles 397 AEG
Hiking1.31 Miles   1 Hour   27 Mns   1.23 mph
397 ft AEG      23 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I took my kids up to the Verde Valley for a day of swimming. Lee suggested that they might like this little hike as well, so I looked up the details and decided to do it first, then swimming later. Got started around 10am. Easy trail for my kids, and they were fine on the steeper sections too. They both LOVED the ruins, so we spent plenty of time looking through as many rooms as we could get to. It seemed like there were about three different "levels" of rooms that we zigzagged back and forth on. My daughter is a ruins junkie, so she wanted to stay all day. Had a snack, then headed back down as it was starting to warm up and there was no shade along the trail.
_____________________
Stop crying and just go do the hike.
 
Feb 13 2016
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 Photos 94
 Triplogs 14

44 male
 Joined Feb 05 2016
 Anthem, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 13 2016
phlak • Triplogs 14
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles
450 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a great hike and very easy to do! You will find a ton of pottery shards and make sure to explore all the rooms you can! We took our dog and when we were coming back down more people were accompanied with dogs too. Not sure why they have it listed as NO DOGS on this hike. My lab loved every minute of it!
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Nov 06 2015
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 61
 Photos 2,620
 Triplogs 700

69 male
 Joined Jan 23 2008
 Phoenix, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 06 2015
AZWanderingBear • Triplogs 700
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
AZBeaver
Heading up to Pine for a weekend with some neighbor friends at their cabin. Stopped off to hike to these ruins for the first time. Trail was much better than expected. Nice views back down into the Verde Valley. Scrambled around a bit on the ledges checking out the various alcoves and structures. Most amazing was the amount of pottery shards on the hike up. The ground is literally covered. Turned into a good leg stretcher on the way up to Pine and the Rim.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Trail Signs and Markings
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Some autumn color still lingering along West Clear Creek below.
_____________________
All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach
  1 archive
Sep 18 2015
avatar

 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 18 2015
cactuscat • Triplogs 486
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles      55 Mns   2.26 mph
450 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I've been waiting for a nice sunny, non-monsoon day to do this fun little combo.
#1 Get hot and sweaty hiking up to the cliff dwellings.
#2 Five minutes later, take refreshing plunge into the cool water of Clear Creek.
It was as awesome as I thought it would be.
_____________________
 
Apr 15 2015
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 Guides 4
 Routes 205
 Photos 9,282
 Triplogs 526

72 male
 Joined Apr 06 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2015
Hansenaz • Triplogs 526
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Alston_Neal
The_Eagle
Alston and Bruce invited me to come along on their excellent adventure. Wow...they had done all the hard work and now it was just gravy. Yes I got gravy with no work.

Their logs give the details. I'll just say it was a ruins nerd's fantasy trip.

I really enjoyed the banter... Alston has a lifetime of experience in these hills and Bruce has packed a lifetime of experience into the last 10 years. They were constantly pointing to distant somethings and discussing details while I strained to follow along.

Alston who is a few weeks post-MI is a hiking marvel...and Bruce is (as we knew already) a dynamo on the trail.

Bruce had a chance to channel his "inner Indiana Jones", i.e. with us he had time to poke around rather than finish another 20mi before midnite. Four hours in a car with Alston is four hours of entertainment.

Fun day.
_____________________
 
Apr 15 2015
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 15 2015
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,200 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles
1,200 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Alston_Neal
Hansenaz
While looking for another set of ruins in the area online, I stumbled on this one. This appeared to be the set that Alston and his better half Deb had been trying to locate for awhile. They scoped it from afar, verifying our thoughts the week before. We enlisted noted Perry Mesa expert and all around nice guy Hansenaz (aka Issac Hanson, one of the 3 brothers, famous for the song MMMBop) to join us. So with 180 years of experience enlisted, the group was set.

After much plotting, PM'ing and throws at the dartboard, I penned a path, that surprisingly enough took us right there. The site was quite intact, with many pottery sherds and corn cobs scattered about. It was at one time, 3 stories tall in places. There were also probably ten plus Cavetes cut into the hillside. I was amazed, based on the location, that they were able to gather all the timber, reeds and water for mud, to construct this place. The ceiling construction on these is incredible. Alston guessed this site was from about the year 1400.

Being the baby of the group, I relied heavily on their wisdom in ancient Indian artifacts and culture. I was just there to see cool stuff.

Video :next: https://youtube.com ... FAw0

We stopped at the more popular Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings on the way home. I'd driven past this site numerous times on my way back from the High Country. They actually proved to be much cooler than I expected. Lots of sherds, caves, corn cobs and numerous room ruins up top.

Video :next: https://youtu.be/jc ... ZSOE

Never a dull moment on this hike, with lively conversation and stories. It was a pleasure to hike with these two ancient ones, I mean..... ones so well versed with ancient things. (Sorry, I gotta use it while I can)

Thanks for FJ'n us there Alston.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Apr 06 2015
avatar

 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 06 2015
cactuscat • Triplogs 486
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I enjoyed this hike very much!
20 mins up to the dwelling, 2 hours exploring the levels and top of the mesa.
Tons of pot shards and corncobs, and I saw my first snake of the year - a skinny, but very pretty and long gopher snake.
Then I went to West Clear Creek to cool off - water is still too cold for me, but it was nice to hike along. Saw some nice pools for swimming later in the summer, and some really nice trout.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Gopher Snake
_____________________
 
Oct 10 2014
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 10 2014
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking3.00 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   1.33 mph
450 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This place is a real gem if you're into prehistoric sites. For starters, the amount of pottery shards is ridiculous. You start seeing them about halfway up. Pretty soon they're unavoidable. The cliff dwellings themselves are unique and interesting. I found plenty of corn cobs and grinding holes. There's a row of cliff dwellings behind a white boulder wall that you can't see from the highway. You have to squeeze past them to reach the mesa top. It's worth it too. The highpoint on the mesa is home to a very large pueblo, mostly with collapsed walls, but some are still standing. I walked the mesa for a bit, dodging countless pot shards, and found a solitary circular wall near the west end. The autumn breeze was refreshing so I went at my typically slow pace to soak it all up.
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"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Jan 03 2012
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 03 2012
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking1.40 Miles 480 AEG
Hiking1.40 Miles
480 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Lunch break hike. Went up to the cliff dwellings, then climbed up to the top of the mesa. On a high point on top of the mesa, just west of the cliff dwellings I located the remains of a sizable pueblo(?) with roughly 20 or more rooms. A fun place to explore.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Jul 24 2010
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 79
 Triplogs 10

57 male
 Joined Jul 24 2010
 Prescott Valley,
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 24 2010
ZCore13 • Triplogs 10
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles   1 Hour      1.32 mph
450 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Fun hike, although a little too hot in July. This was our first ever hike with a climb included and my wife and I enjoyed it. Fairly easy most of the way, the last 50 yards to the actual cliff caves is a little tougher. You have to be in shape and not afraid of heights to make it all the way to the caves.

The recent rains seem to have eroded the top level of dirt of the last half of the trail, exposing pottery artifacts all over and around the trail. The caves themselves show signs of the old inhabitants, with smoke stained ceilings viewable in most of them.

What a view when you make it to the caves. You can definitely see why they chose to live in this difficult to get to spot. You can see for miles and nobody would be able to sneak up on them without them being completely prepared.

We did not attempt to go all the way to the top of the mountain above the caves. It didn't seem prudent for us at forty something. In my twenties maybe, but getting to the caves was rewarding enough.
_____________________
 
Apr 26 2009
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 26 2009
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles   1 Hour      1.32 mph
450 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Explored these roadside ruins before heading home from Camp Verde. What appeared to be a system of numerous hand carved tunnels went deeper into the mountainside from the backs of most of the caves. This was an interesting place, and easy to access.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Mar 22 2008
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff DwellingsCamp Verde, AZ
Camp Verde Cliff Dwellings
Camp Verde, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 22 2008
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking1.32 Miles 450 AEG
Hiking1.32 Miles   1 Hour      1.32 mph
450 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
With Mike Mattes on a stop along the way back from Grand Falls...

The Cliff Dwellings had remarkable similarity to those on Nantac Rim near Point-of-Pines on the San Carlos Reservation. Does this indicate a Yavapai linkage?

http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=45249
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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average hiking speed 1.48 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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