Contents
Page [The Ruins] 3 [Spruce Tree House] 5 [Cliff Palace] 8 [Balcony House] 11 [Square Tower House] 12 [Oak Tree House] 15 [Sun Set House] 15 [Sun Temple] 15 [New Fire-House Group] 19 [Cedar Tree Tower] 21 [Far View House, a Mesa Verde Pueblo] 21 [Earth Lodge A] 25 [Unexcavated Ruins] 25 [Dates for Mesa Verde Ruins Established by Tree-Ring Chronology] 26 [Discoveries of Recent Years] 27 [Prehistoric Inhabitants of the Mesa Verde] 28 [Fauna and Flora] 32 [How to Reach the Park] 33 [By Automobile] 33 [By Railroad] 34 [Motor Transportation] 35 [Administration] 35 [Educational Service] 36 [Guided Trips to the Ruins] 36 [Camp-fire Talks] 37 [Park Museum] 37 [Reference Library] 38 [Free Public Camp Grounds] 38 [Horseback and Hiking Trips] 38 [Hospital and Medical Service] 39 [Accommodations and Expenses] 39 [References] 40
What to Do
THINGS TO SEE ON WAY FROM PARK ENTRANCE TO HEADQUARTERS
3.5 miles—Top of first grade—Mancos Valley and La Plata Mountains.
5.0 miles—Knife Edge Road—Montezuma Valley and Sleeping Ute Mountain.
10.5 miles—Scenic road to Park Point, highest elevation within Mesa Verde National Park, 8,575 feet above sea level; 2,200 feet above the Montezuma Valley. View into four States—Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.
16.0 miles—Pueblo III ruins on top of mesa—Far View House Ruin, Pipe Shrine House Ruin, Far View Tower Ruin.
18.5 miles—Cedar Tree Tower Ruin—road branches off to left.
20.0 miles—Park headquarters. Park ranger will meet your car and give information.
THINGS TO DO WHILE ON THE MESA VERDE
MOTOR CARAVANS TO RUINS—DAILY. USE YOUR OWN CAR. NO CHARGE FOR GUIDE SERVICE
8 a. m.—Earth Lodge A, Square Tower House, Little Long House, Sun Point, Fire Temple, Sun Temple. Return 11:15 a. m. Distance 6½ miles.
10 a. m.—A shortened trip of morning route to accommodate late comers. Return 11:15 a. m.
1:30 p. m.—Cliff Palace, Rim Drive, Balcony House. Return 4:15 p. m. Distance 7 miles.
3 p. m.—A shortened trip of the 1:30 route to accommodate late comers. Does not go through Cliff Palace but views this ruin from the top of the mesa. Return 4:30 p. m.
MOTOR CARAVAN TO PARK POINT—DAILY. USE YOUR OWN CAR
6:30 or 7 p. m.—Time of leaving will vary to arrive at Park Point to view colorful sunset. Ranger in charge will discuss the flora, geology, and scenic points. Distance 24 miles.