Discovery
Imagine yourself as Richard Wetherill in December 1888 rounding up stray cattle on a mesa top, in a snow storm, riding through a very familiar pinyon and juniper forest. You ride to the mesa edge overlooking a huge canyon and, in the distance and through the snow, see a this “magnificent city.”
Click me for more Mesa Verde works in my Fine Art Gallery
Today
The site is protected and access restricted to these tour groups. I skipped the lecture, as interesting as it was, to use the time to capture the images in these blogs. Here is an overview of the northeastern Cliff Palace, including the square (see previous blog) and round towers with the tour group gathered around one of the Cliff Palace kivas.
Sipapu
Here is a close-up of the kiva floor of the Balcony House. Sipapu is a Hopi word for the small hole or indentation in the floor of kivas used by the Ancient Pueblo Peoples and modern-day Puebloans. It symbolizes the portal through which their ancient ancestors first emerged to enter the present world.
The sipapu is the smaller pit in the floor to the left (north side) and partially blocked by the kiva wall. The larger is a firepit. The small wall to the right is placed to deflect airflow from a floor vent.
Click Me for more background on the discovery and excavation of the Cliff Palace
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
This place is spectacular. I was terrified by the prospects of climbing ladders in and out but am so glad I went.
Lovely pictures.
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There is at long ladder up to Balcony House and the tunnels. The Ranger guides were excellent.
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I vetoed the big ladders and we compromised with this tour. And yes, the rangers were all terrific!
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It was an amazing experience to complete this tour. Excellent photo.
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I highly recommend Mesa Verde….it is not far from you, as I understand. Cheers!!
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A floor portal…that is amazing. I’d love to visit this place.
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highly recommended — you’ll need to spend some time there. One day is NOT enough
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Looks like a neat place to explore. I love how photography was your priority (rather than the lecture). I would have done the same.
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There are ruins the visitor is allowed to wander without a guide, though even the whole, long, day we spent was not enough to soak it all in.
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The scale of this site is overwhelming. Thanks for sharing the panoramic view with the tour members gathered below.
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