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| Hiking | 3.05 Miles |
85 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.05 Miles | | | |
| 85 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Belated triplog. Velva and I returned to Mesa Verde for another day of taking in the sights. Primarily did the mesa dwellings and lookouts, but we also did the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail. Started from Durango on this trip so a little bit of a longer drive, (previous day we had started from Cortez). The mileage for Soda is inflated because I had my Garmin running for any of the dwellings/lookouts that we did as well as the soda trail.
The mesa dwellings are ok. One site showed how different generations built on top of each other, using improved techniques. That was cool to see the progress. The highlights were the cliff dwellings. There was one lookout where you could see remnants of 9 separate ruins along the cliff face. Some were just traces of rock walls all the way to the impressive “city” of Cliff Palace. Really a shame that tours were not starting until May. (Only $8 for those going on one of the tours and it is suggested that you schedule two weeks in advance. There are some stairs and ladder climbing involved so be forewarned. They said they have a video on their website showing what is involved. Definitely looks worth it if you’re up to the challenge).
Near the end of our visit we hiked the Soda Trail. (Being a Mountain Dew fanatic, this trail automatically becomes a favorite on name alone.  ). The trail is easy to follow as it circumnavigates the beginnings of where one of the canyons begin to develop. There is some minor up and down where the canyon is starting to form and also at some of the lookouts. Nothing major. Views while on the trail are primarily of piñon/juniper and prickly pear. You have no idea that there are canyons around you until you near the lookouts. There are three lookouts, two of which give you good views of Balcony House. Very impressive. This and Cliff Palace are the two ruins that guided tours are needed to see the ruins close up. Sadly, for us, that would have to be for another visit. |
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