Day 5 We (unintentionally!) saved the best hiking for last. After seeing Chimney Rock National Monument from horseback, we decided we needed an up-close view on a hiking tour. The archeological site shares the history and heritage of the ancestral Puebloans of the Chaco Canyon. The remains of ancient homes and ceremonial buildings, coupled with informative volunteers, signage and a map of facts and descriptions of places to stop along the trails, tell the story of the people who once made the area home and help visitors imagine what it might have been like to live there a thousand years ago. The pinnacles for which the monument is named frame multiple astronomical alignments and are a nod to the ways in which the Ancestral Puebloans incorporated astronomy into their community. Two trails, each less than a mile, can be enjoyed with or without a guide. Along the first paved trail, we learned about the everyday lives of the Puebloan people, like what they ate, how they built their homes and why they settled in the area. The second trail is not paved and is moderate to difficult, and it’s best enjoyed in the morning hours before
the heat of the day. The top of the trail offers 360 degree views of the San Juan Mountains and even New Mexico. Self-guided tours are $12 for adults and $6 for children. Located north of nearby Pagosa Springs, the lush Piedra River Trail made for a fun contrast to our morning hike. We hiked 4 miles roundtrip of the 7.3 mile out-and-back trail along a winding river, with plenty of opportunities for wading. Along part of the trail, we were enveloped by towering canyon walls and enjoyed watching several groups rappel. Occasionally hopping along rocks in the river and dipping our toes in the cold, clear water made for picture perfect breaks along our trip’s final trek. The long car ride home the following day was fairly quiet as we rested tired legs from more than 14 miles hiked in four days! Through photos and stories, we constantly relive this family vacation as a favorite and marvel at all the fun and connection we had by simply enjoying the outdoors, fresh air, beautiful scenery and each other.
CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL MONUMENT WAS ONCE HOME TO THE ANCESTRAL PUEBLOANS OF THE CHACO CANYON, AND PIECES OF THEIR ORIGINAL STRUCTURES CAN STILL BE SEEN.
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