As many have mentioned Mesa Verde deserves a full day and based upon personal experience of all there is to do in that area the Four Corners would be last on my list. My wife and I went there when we lived in Durango and after thirty minutes we were ready to leave. Not worth the drive and the time can be better spent elsewhere.

Really Mesa Verde is best done with Two Full Days. We did 2 days and didn't even see Wetherill, FWIW.

Is the drive into Mesa Verde from Durango a steep and scary drive? I'm going to be doing this myself with no husband who usually handles this kind of adventure and I'm a wimp when it comes to twisty roads with no guard rails! Please tell me I won't fall off the mountain. When does the sun go down in Mesa Verde in June? I don't want to be driving back in the dark. Deep breath.

I won't kid you, the drive into Mesa Verde from the entrance is a bit daunting. It has a lot of turns and there are areas without guard rails. It isn't that steep; there are switchbacks for the steeper stretches so you aren't going straight up or down.

You aren't going to go over the edge as the roads isn't right along the edge. Usually my husband drives it when we go, but I have driven it myself and was just cautious. I have also gone up on a motorcycle!!

Just take is easy and think about the grandeur that awaits!

DebitNM,

Thanks for your response. I will just have to prepare myself for the journey! I also wanted to ask HOW scary ARE the 30 and 60 foot ladder climbs? Has anyone ever fallen off and died? Are there any tips, like don't look down just keeping climbing??

IMHO the ladders are a little scary, and yes don't look down. If you come from sea level and haven't acclimated to the elevation you will find that you are sucking wind about half way up and are collapsing on the benches when you get to the top. It's all worth it though.

For the ladders- just keep looking forward, and concentrate by doing: hand over hand, foot over foot.

My husband doesn't like heights and he has done it, but it isn't a favorite thing for him. He just said "I steel myself, knowing it has to be done and I do it."

If you think it is going to be a problem, you might want to skip Balcony House, it is the one with the most arduous ladders. There are still plenty of other sites to see and do.

I meant to add, that although it takes additional time to drive to and from, Long House on Wetherill would probably be okay for you. Step House is there too. Very worth the time to drive there and see these dwellings.

I was there a few weeks ago for the first time and it's so beautiful. The drive going up to the park is so beautiful and there are pull-outs along the way. I really liked the Mesa Top Loop because the sites are RIGHT there as you park along the road. It's a lot of fun - hope you enjoy it.

Thanks all for the encouragement! I am excited but am glad I can mentally prepare to drive up a twisty mesa and then climb very tall ladders!

The drive isn't really that bad - it goes up in elevation but it's so scenic and you can't go that fast anyhow - it'll be fine.

When we left to Mesa Verde, heading to Durango, there was a bike race going on. Now THAT"S scary. They were on the edge of the road with a cliff on their right side and cars flying down on their left!