Introduction to Anasazi Ruins
by Norm Vance
 There
are several Anasazi ruin sites open to the public within
an easy one day trip from Pagosa Springs. Mesa Verde is by far
the best known but Chaco Canyon, Salmon, Aztec and Pagosa’s
local site, Chimney Rock Archaeological Area, offer an interesting
insight into this fascinating culture.
On this website you will find an Anasazi General History that
gives the basics of who the Anasazi were. There is an article
on Chimney Rock, and an article This is Holy Ground, about the
Anasazi/Indians at the Pagosa Hot Spring. There is an extended
article on Chaco Canyon, as this particular part of the Anasazi
story was the peak of their cultural development. There is a brief
article on Mesa Verde as there is such a wealth of information
about Mesa Verde available.
If you are considering going to Mesa Verde, be forewarned that
it is the “Disneyland” of Anasazi ruin sites. During
the tourist season, Mesa Verde is vastly popular and overcrowded.
You are likely to be in traffic jams and in lines awaiting entrance
to various points of interest and museums. You can skip the crowds
and drive the various loops and roads observing cliff dwellings
from across the canyon, but binoculars are a must for this experience.
Chaco Canyon is a bit more difficult but more pleasing to get
to and is a less crowded. From Pagosa you drive south to Dulce,
New Mexico and then south across the beautiful and little traveled
Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Follow your map to the canyon on
an unpaved road from HWY 550. Here you can visit the museum at
your leisure and drive a loop to the huge pueblos on the valley floor.
Unlike Mesa Verde you can freely walk in and around the buildings
and observe at leisure.
Salmon and Aztec are smaller, less crowded and each has its own
interesting aspects. The smallest site is Chimney Rock where tours
are provided to the top of the rock and the pueblo.
This website highly recommends Chimney Rock and Chaco Canyon as
the best Anasazi experience available in the Pagosa Springs area.
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