E-mail page
|
|
|
|
Chimney Rock Archaeological Area Review
Read our Telluride and Southwest Colorado sights reviews. Or post your own.
Chimney Rock Archaeological Area
Archaeological Sites, Durango
Fodor's Review:
At the junction of U.S. 550 and U.S. 160 you have three options: pick up U.S. 550 north toward Purgatory, head down U.S. 160 west toward Cortez, or follow U.S. 160 east toward Pagosa Springs. About 35 mi east of Durango is the Highway 151 turnoff south to Chimney Rock Archaeological Area. Twin spires of rock loom over pueblo ruins that architecturally are more closely related to the sites around Chaco Canyon in New Mexico than to those in Mesa Verde National Park. Anthropologists debate whether the structures served as a trading post or an astronomical observatory, but archaeologists have determined that this high mesa was also an active agricultural area. Whatever their heritage, many believe that the ruins retain their power and resonance. Between May 15 and September 30, access to the site is possible only with a U.S. Forest Service guide. Reservations are necessary for the free tour. Monthly programs include four- to six-hour interpretive hikes to unexcavated sites and full-moon tours of the ruins. Sunrise programs at summer solstice and autumn equinox are special times to visit.
INFO
- Phone: 970/264-2268
- Web site
WHAT'S NEARBY
- Hotels
- Apple Orchard Inn
- Comfort Inn
- More >>
- Entertainment
- Bar D Chuckwagon
- Diamond Belle Saloon
- More >>
- Shopping
- Appaloosa Trading Co.
- Artesanos
- More >>
- Southwest Colorado
8 responses; most recent on 07/29/2008, 10:20 pm - Southwest Colorado trip report
5 responses; most recent on 07/24/2008, 07:20 am
Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip
- 10 Top Luxury Resort Spas Serenity Now! is the clarion call of that inimitable ...
- Best in Brew: 3 Hoppy Cities Brewery tours, hopping brew pubs, and jam-packed festivals--and,...
- This Week: New York, Rio, Savannah, San Diego, Vail In Rio de Janeiro, an ultra-hip new hotel.... Crazy...
- more >>
