Mesa Verde
 

I have been doing reseach on Mesa Verde NP and am trying to arrange a visit. Some posters have mentioned climbing up and down ladders and climbing up steep embankments. I have a fear of heights and am wondering if Mesa Verde is not for me. Any suggestions?

Please post a trip report, petsitter. I am also considering that area.

Mesa Verde should not be missed! There a some places that could put you off. The Balcony House tour (tickets required) is the most difficult and does involve ladders, a tunnel exit and steep stairs/ladders to get back to the rim top. However, you do not need to experience this and can explore the rim top areas by car and short walks. Take a camera with telephoto lens and you will get great shots. Cliff Palace is a milder tour (also tickets required) but does involve stairs down and then some stairs & ladders back up. Other ruins may not require any tickets and are very easy. See the web site for details:
http://www.nps.gov/meve

We did the Cliff Palace tour when my kids were younger, and I don't remember anything difficult about that.

I purposely didn't choose the Balcony House tour b/c I saw a picture of that large ladder and was afraid to watch my kids on that. (Truthfully, they would have been totally fine).

You could also just walk to Spruce Tree house, but Cliff Palace is really neat and you wouldn't want to miss that. (At Spruce Tree, you can climb a ladder down into a kiva, but it's just a one-story climb and the ladder's secure).

Here's one of the ladders -

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/50016032

You can do as little or as much as you are comfortable with and still have an enjoyable and informative visit to MV. I would not skip it and I am somewhat afraid of edges/heights and I had no problems as all.

Good info given to you so far.

Prior advice is good. There is a lot to see and do without climbing ladders. You will miss some things but it is small trade off.

Be sure and stay at least one night in the park. It is really worth a couple nights stay.

There is plenty to see and do in Mesa Verde without having to climb ladders.

Cliff Palace is a good walk, and does involve some steps but they are not near steep embankments.

There are many smaller ruins that can be explored easily without much climbing.

From the NPS brochure, "Most of the major cliff dwellings can be seen from overlooks."

I live just 10 minutes from the park and can see it from my deck. I still am awestruck and humbled when I go there. This is a must see park.

I can help with questions about the area.

Debi

We visited last year. My wife is afraid of stuff like climbing up ladders so we didn't do any of that but we spent two days in the park and didn't lack for things to do and see.

One suggestion - stay in the park lodging. They have a very good restaurant on site. It's a long drive into the park from the nearest communities.

Thanks everyone. I think we will go to the park and just do what I feel comfortable doing. If we decide to go I will post a report.

We went a few years ago with a toddler. We had a terrific time. We took the guided bus tour around the top loop. We loved the restaurant Metate (one of our best NP dining experiences). We saw wild horses and wild turkeys. The dwellings are terrific but not the only highlight.