| Summary: |
A short hike
to a large set of well preserved Anasazi ruins
in a deep alcove. The buildings were constructed
and occupied between A.D. 1250 and 1300 by
people who farmed the plateaus and bottom lands
of the canyons in the area. You must be
accompanied by a Park Ranger to perform this
hike, reservations can be made at the Visitors
Center on a first come, first served basis (max
25)
between May-September. Trips depart at 8am
(mountain time). Surprisingly enough, there is
no fee to enter, camp or hike in the Monument. |
| Directions: |
Navajo National Monument is
located east of Page or west of Kayenta on
Highway 160. Between mile post 374 & 375 on
Highway 160, turn north at the sign for the
Monument on Route 564 and drive 9 miles to the
Visitors Center. |
| Road Conditions: |
Passenger Car - paved all the way |
| Navigation: |
Easy - just follow the Ranger |
| Length: |
~4 miles |
| Date Hiked: |
July,
2002 |
| Weather Conditions: |
Warm |
|
Required Skills: |
None |
| Hike Description: |
From the
Visitors Center you will drive about a mile to a
parking lot for the Betatakin and Keet Seel
hikes. The trail follows an old road for the
first part of the trip until you arrive at a
sign which warns you as to the strenuous nature
of the Keet Seel trip. The path becomes more of
a trail at this point as it drops ~700 feet
along a series of switchbacks. At the bottom of
the descent you'll reach a trail junction - left
for Keet Seel, right for Betatakin. Head right
along a level path that travels up a canyon
directly below the road you had walked earlier.
Eventually you will pass through a gate (notice
the vegetation difference between the grazed and
ungrazed sides of the canyon) and a short walk
will bring you to a view of the ruins (a spur
trail just before the alcove in which the ruins
reside leads to a toilet). Rangers used to lead
tours right up through the ruins; however the trail
was
closed in 2000 and now you may only view them from a
distance. When ready, you may return the way you
came without the escort of a Ranger. |
| Rating (1-5 stars): |
 
Nice enough ruins, but it's a touristy hike and
you are not allowed to approach very close to the
buildings. The author and his wife completed
this hike in 3 hours. |
| Maps: |
None |
| Books: |
Canyon
Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau -
Michael Kelsey |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
