SQUARE TOWER RUIN
ANCIENT HOUSES—SQUARE TOWER—SUN TEMPLE CIRCUIT
Principal features of this very informative trip are: five groups of mesa-top excavations showing the development sequence of prehistoric dwellings; a spectacular close-up rim view of Square Tower, the tallest cliff dwelling structure; rim views of many ruins; and opportunity to climb to the top of Sun Temple. Three to four hours should be allowed to absorb fully the facts interpreted by means of viewfinders, labels, models and maps at various stopping points.
To enter this loop road you will bear right at the first junction beyond the Spruce Tree Museum Park lot. Stops at the sign, “Pit Houses,” and at four additional surface-ruin sites in the next two miles, enable you to look into homes of the pueblo farmers dating from 600 to approximately 1200 A.D. These exhibits warrant more than superficial study.
You must not miss looking down on Square Tower Ruin. To reach the viewpoint from which the photograph on [page 7] was taken, leave your car at designated parking space and follow a 200-yard mesa-top trail.
Allow ample time at Sun Point to enjoy the wide panorama and a view of the greatest concentration of big ruins. From this point be sure to note Mummy House clinging to the cliff below Sun Temple, across Fewkes Canyon.
Just west of Sun Point the road parallels the south rim of Fewkes Canyon, named for the famous archaeologist of the Smithsonian Institution who directed the excavation and stabilization of these big ruins between the years 1908 and 1922. Stop at nearby rim viewpoints to look down on Oak Tree House, New Fire House Ruin, and Fire Temple.
Climax of your trip will be the stop at Sun Temple where you may climb to the top of the walls of this great structure that was left uncompleted, at the time of the great drought of 1276-1298.
FIRE TEMPLE AND NEW FIRE HOUSE RUIN as seen from rim of Fewkes Canyon.