A key ingredient in making a house into a ruin is neglect. Nature does the rest. Walls and roofs of abandoned houses sag and fall. Soil, moved by water and wind, builds up against the foundations. Plants with shallow roots sprout, anchoring the soil, which eventually becomes deep enough to support brush cover. Given time, the result is a mound—one littered with lichen-covered stones, pot sherds, flakes of stone and mortar, but otherwise nearly blending into the landscape. You may have wondered how archeologists estimate the height of walls when so few are left standing. The answer lies here. They collect the debris and measure the pile.
Wetherill Mesa
Planning Information Sheet
The following information will help you plan your visit to Wetherill Mesa. The road to Wetherill is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The 12-mile, 30/45 minute drive offers a number of excellent views of the Park and Four Corners.
NOTE: Vehicles in excess of 8,000 G.V.W. and/or 25 feet in length are prohibited.
Summer Activities
Wetherill Mesa offers a variety of sights, from cliff dwellings to mesa top ruins. From the parking area, walk to the information kiosk and mini-train loading area. There the Ranger will help you plan your visit to the ruins.
Step House Ruin: The ½-mile self-guided walk takes 45 minutes to complete. Guidebooks are available on the trail to the ruin. A Ranger is on duty in the dwelling to answer any questions. This ruin may be visited anytime between 9:15 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Mini-Train
