virginiafish

We are going to have 2 nights at MVNP Lodge August 8 & 9. What would you recommend not to miss for 2 63 year olds who can hike (not super strenuous) and our 24 yo daughter? We enjoy ranger lead activities, etc.

DebitNM

Will you have a car? You can drive the Mesa Top Loop Road, stopping along the way to see some of the sites that you can't walk to.
Hiking:
1.Petroglyph Trail is a nice hike with some great sites along the way.
2. Point Lookout Trail - a nice hike from Morehouse Campground with a spectacular 270 degree view of Montezuma Valley and Mancos.
3. Knife Edge Trail - also a nice hike from Morehouse, with
good views of Montezuma Vally, not as nice views as Point Lookout.

Everyone does: Cliff Palace and Balcony House, so get your tickets for those first thing.

Spruce Tree House can be done on your own, do it along with n Petroglyph Trail.

I really like Wetherill Mesa; only about 10% of visitors go there. It is another 45 minute ride but well worth it. Long House allows you to climb INTO the cliff dwelling at look out and have virtually the same view that the Ancient Puebloans had over 1000 years ago. All of the other ruins you LOOK into the dwellings. Do Step House on your own.

http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisi...merfall13c.pdf

Have dinner at Metate Room at Far View Lodge.

Check for Ranger led events for night time.

virginiafish

Thanks! How much time do you think we should allow? We have 2 nights booked at the lodge (8/8 & 8/9), but some flexibility before (coming from ABQ Aug. 8th in AM) and after (going to Ouray Aug. 10th to sleep).

Gretchen

Do the ranger led tours. I am in such awe of MV--I think it is a wonder of the world.

BlackandGold

Just a word of warning, for the Balcony house tour, you have to crawl on your hands and knees through a short tunnel. If you have any knee issues, it may not be for you. Climbing the ladder and up the cliff side wasn't so bad, but the little tunnel was both claustrophobic and hard on the knees.