Canyon de Chelly National Monument
Canyon de Chelly National Monument offers visitors the opportunity to
learn about Southwestern Indian history from the earliest Anaszai
basketmakers to the Navajo Indians who live and farm here today. Its
primary attractions are ruins of Indian villages built between 350 and
1300 AD at the base of sheer red cliffs and in canyon wall caves.
Setting
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is located on a high plateau in
northeastern Arizona near the center of the Navajo Reservation of the Four
Corners. It encompasses 130 square miles and three splendid, red-walled
canyons --- Canyon del Muerto, Monument Canyon and Canyon de Chelly, from
which it derives its name.
The Four Corners area is centrally located on the Colorado Plateau at an
average elevation of 6,000 feet, lying between the Great Basin and the
Rocky Mountains. Canyon de Chelly is a gorge cut through the Defiance
Plateau, an uplift of a gently sloping monoplane separating Black Mesa
Basin to the west from San Juan Basin to the east. The eastern section of
the Defiance Uplift ends in the Chuska Range comprised of (from north to
south) the Lukchukai, Trunicha and Chuska Mountains.
Getting There By Auto
From Interstate 40 just inside the eastern boundary of Arizona, take U.S.
Route 191 north 75 miles to Chinle, AZ, then drive another 3 miles to the
Monument Visitor Center.
Monument Tours
Autos should use paved roads only. To drive on the canyon bottom, a
4-wheel drive vehicle, a Park Service permit and an authorized Navajo
guide are required. The fee is $15.00 an hour for 1 vehicle, $5 an hour
for each additional vehicle with a 5-vehicle limit per guide.
Auto Tours
· South Rim Drive (36-mile round trip -- 2 hours): National Park
Road 7 offers seven overlooks into Canyon de Chelly itself: Tsegi,
Junction, White House, Sliding House, Wild Cherry, Face Rock and Spider.
The spectacular Spider Rock is an 800-foot sandstone spire rising from the
canyon floor at the junction of Canyon de Chelly and Monument Canyon.
· North Rim Drive (34-mile round trip -- 2 hours): National Park
Road 64 provides four overlooks into Canyon del Muerto: Ledge Ruin,
Antelope House, Mummy Cave and Massacre Cave.
Jeep Tours
· Four-wheel drive tours are provided for a fee by Navajo guides who can
be hired at Thunderbird Lodge and the Visitor Center. Free permits are
required and reservations are recommended.
|
Salt River Canyon
The Salt River Canyon is sometimes called the mini-Grand Canyon, with its
stark, sweeping vistas carved by millions of years of erosion. A
magnificent midway point between Phoenix and Show Low. U.S. 60 snakes down
one wall of the canyon, crosses the Salt River via a scenic bridge, then
climbs up the other side on its way to Show Low.
North of Globe, U.S. 60 crosses high desert country for about 40 miles
before it descends into the canyon. It's a nine-mile drive from rim to rim
along a series of switchbacks that bring you down to the valley floor,
then up the opposite side. At the bottom of the canyon, the Salt River
roils through its rocky bed, unfettered by dams and channels, which
harness the river downstream. At its lowest point, the road crosses the
river over a curving bridge, which is paired with an older highway bridge
that is now used only for foot traffic.
A parking and rest area just before the bridge provides interpretive
displays, and paved trails allow quick access to the riverside. Beyond the
bridge, campers, hikers and other adventurers can turn off the main road
onto dirt tracks that run for several miles along the river.
Many pullouts at varying elevations on both sides of the canyon enable
motorists to park and enjoy the view. At some turnoffs, such as one at
Hieroglyphic Point, travelers can explore by foot. At this site,
prehistoric tribes carved petroglyphs into the black boulders that line
the slope below the road.
Pictures of the Salt River Canyon
Bridge |
Arizona's Indian Country
Ancient ruins amid spectacular scenery
Hopi Reservation
A trip through tall pine forests and high desert in northeast Arizona
takes you to the Hopi Reservation, about 250 miles from Phoenix. On a map
you'll see the Hopi are surrounded by the vast Navajo reservation. The
proximity has led to some long, bitter grazing feuds. Located on high
mesas, the reservation is always windy and can be cold in winter.
Entering from the west, you pass Third Mesa with Old Oraibi, one of most
ancient of the Hopi villages, and Second Mesa before reaching your
destination, Polacca on First Mesa. Watch closely to discern faint
outlines of
Overnight accommodations are limited. The most
convenient are at the Hopi Cultural Center and in Kayenta. Even if you
don't stay at the Cultural Center, visit the museum and eat at the
restaurant, which serves American and Hopi food. The blue corn pancakes
are the best. Many moderately priced motels are available about an hour
south in Winslow and Holbrook. Reservations are suggested.
Upon arriving on the reservation, ask whether dances are scheduled and if
you may you attend. These are generally held on weekends and last late
into the night. Everyone bundles up in heavy coats and blankets and sits
on rooftops to observe. The sight of the masked dancers emerging onto an
ancient plaza is one you won't forget.
To contact the Hopi tribe, write to: Hopi Tribal Council, P.O. Box
123, Kykotsmovi, Ariz. 86039.
Phone: 520-734-2441.
Directions: Take I-17 north to U.S. 89. Continue north toward Tuba
City. Turn west on Arizona 264. From Flagstaff, the trip will take you
about 2 1/2 hours. To return to Flagstaff quickly, follow Indian Route 2
south, at Kykotsmovi, known as the road to Leupp (pronounced Loop). At
Leupp, go west on Indian Route 15 to U.S. 89. This route eliminates an
hour's worth of driving. Pay attention and keep your eye on the San
Francisco Peaks and you won't get lost. |
NAVAJO RESERVATION
Hubbell Trading Post, Window Rock
The Navajo Reservation, 260 miles northeast of Phoenix, extends into
Apache, Coconino and Navajo counties. Home to the largest tribe in
Arizona, it offers many scenic attractions, including Monument Valley,
Canyon de Chelly, Little Colorado River Gorge, Rainbow Bridge and
Betatakin Indian Ruin at Navajo National Monument.
This area also boasts the Four Corners Monument, the only place in the
United States where four states - Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado -
meet.
From Hopi drive east to Ganado to Hubbell Trading Post, a historic
landmark in use today. The grounds are wonderful and worth exploring.
Don't miss the rug room filled with museum-quality textiles. The Navajo or
Dineh (the people) are noted for textiles - blanket and tapestry weaving,
silver crafts and some basketry.
Continue driving east about 45 minutes through high desert to Window Rock,
the capital of the Navajo Nation. The town takes its name from a huge
sandstone formation with an enormous hole or window through which the town
is framed. This rock has an ancient history and it is integral to the
Navajo Water Way Ceremony. Ruins date this community to 1300 A.D. In
Window Rock travelers will find a modern motel and restaurant owned and
operated by the Navajo tribe.
Tour the visitors center at Window Rock to get a sense of Navajo history.
The Navajo Nation Museum traces Indian occupation from 50 A.D. to the
present day and displays artifacts, such as pottery, metates and
silvercraft.
As a side trip, drive seven miles north to Fort Defiance, which was
explorer Kit Carson's headquarters.
To contact the Navajo Nation write to: Cultural Resources
Department, Visitor Services, P.O. Box 308, Window Rock, Ariz. 86515.
Phone: 520-871-4941 or 520-871-6673 for the Navajo Nation Museum.
Stay overnight at Window Rock and return to Phoenix, or continue to Canyon
de Chelly.
Canyon de Chelly to Monument Valley
From Window Rock drive to Chinle and the entrance to Canyon de Chelly
National Monument. Comfortable overnight accommodations are available at
Thunderbird Lodge, a historic property featuring the most complete
facilities in the park. Here are guest rooms, a cafeteria serving American
and Navajo food and a large, well-stocked gift shop and gallery.
Plan to spend explore the visitors center to get a historic overview of
this canyon with its 400 ruins. You'll learn that the Navajo were
archaeological latecomers, having only arrived at this canyon shortly
before the 18th century. Before their arrival, Pueblo Indians roamed this
valley. Surely they were awed by the sheer pink walls rising toward the
sky, etched with abstract brush strokes of deep burnished browns and
black.
Take the rim drive to experience the vastness of this canyon. During the
summer months, some Navajo families live in the floor of the canyon in
hogans, traditional round log buildings. Here they graze their sheep and
often sell their wares.
Canyon de Chelly is a great place to explore. The walk to White House Ruin
takes about an hour on a wide, well-marked trail. It's fairly easy, but
the uphill climb is more strenuous, so you should always carry water. Jeep
tours of Canyon de Chelly are also exciting. Half-day trips are led by
Navajo guides who are informative and adventuresome, taking you places you
cannot go by yourself.
Directions: From Window Rock drive east on Arizona 264 to Ganado
and north on U.S. 191 to Chinle and the entrance to Canyon de Chelly
National Monument. Stay overnight at Canyon de Chelly or Chinle and return
to Phoenix, or continue to Monument Valley.
Monument Valley
From Canyon de Chelly, head north to Kayenta to Monument Valley, one of
the most famous rockscapes in the Southwest. Good accommodations are
available at Chinle, Kayenta and Monument Valley.
Monument Valley is not a national park, but a Navajo tribal park
consisting of 29,816 acres owned and managed by the Navajo Tribal Council.
You can drive a 17- mile scenic loop in Monument Valley, but it is not
recommended because the sand is thick and deep and it's easy to get stuck.
Many Navajo guides offer their services; they park by the visitors center.
Goulding's tours in open-air vehicles are excellent.
John Wayne made this valley famous when he starred in "Stagecoach," the
first of dozens and dozens of movies to be made in this scenic area. At
Goulding's Lodge visit the intriguing museum devoted to the modern history
of Goulding's, western movies and Monument Valley.
Directions: Go north on U.S. 191 to U.S. 60 (about 60 miles). Turn
west on U.S. 60 to Kayenta (41 miles). At the crossroads, bear right to
the Monument Valley visitors center (about 20 miles).
Navajo National Monument
From Monument Valley, weather permitting, spend an hour or more touring
Navajo National Monument, the site of some superb Indian ruins. As you
drive, you'll see several Navajo hogans inhabited by families. A paved
road leads to the Monument, which is a collection of preserved ruins.
There are three ruins: Keet Seel requires reservations. It's a horseback
ride or overnight hike into this cliff-top ruin. Inscription House is
closed. But you can take a guided walk to Betatakin, where you'll peer
down into the ruin. And there's a fine visitors center with good
explanations of the Anasazi civilization who inhabited this area.
Directions: Twelve miles southwest of Kayenta on U.S. 160, pick up
Arizona 564. It's a short drive north to Navajo National Monument. Phone:
520-672-2366.
Continue back to Phoenix by stopping at Cameron Trading Post, just across
the Little Colorado River. Cameron is an active mercantile center that
combines a general store frequented by the Navajo with a souvenir gift
shop, fine arts gallery and a spacious restaurant. The restaurant offers
expansive views of the Little Colorado River and good American and Navajo
food. The textile display is unusually excellent. This drive will take you
from high desert to pine forests as you approach Flagstaff. Descending
from the Mogollon Rim near Camp Verde, you re-enter the Sonoran desert.
The saguaros are your clue you're back.
Directions: From Navajo National Monument continue on U.S. 60 to
Kayenta. Pick up U.S. 160 to Tuba City. Ten miles past Tuba City, connect
with U.S. 89 south to Cameron. Continue to Flagstaff and return south to
Phoenix on I-17.
Details: To contact the Hopi tribe, write to: Hopi Tribal Council,
P.O. Box 123, Kykotsmovi, Ariz. 86039. (520) 734-2441.
To contact the Navajo Nation write to: Cultural Resources
Department, Visitor Services, P.O. Box 308, Window Rock, AZ 86515. (520)
871-4941. |
