Canyon of the Ancients & Hovenweep — To whoever is not listening to the sea

First thing to know about Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, is it's not single place. It's many sites — 6,000 at last count — across 170,000 acres, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. We explored a fair number, but most were not accessible to us, as we lack a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Contrasting the experience in Mesa Verde, these are sites that one explores on one's own. We rarely came across more than a few other people as we hiked through Sand Canyon or visited Lowry Pueblo. As such, we had the thrill of taking a break on a large rock face and unexpectedly seeing two cliff dwellings directly across from us.

Sand Canyon Area

There are three main hikes here, which are also open to mountain bikes and horses. There are many marked and unmarked pueblos...surrounded by high rock faces. It makes for very toasty hiking.

Many of the sites in Sand Canyon are just off the side of the path.

Hovenweep

Our first lesson in visiting Hovenweep is that it's at a lower elevation than where we were living and most of the place we visited. It's hot! We camped here one night to allow us to do some sunrise and sunset hiking. It was a bit steamy, but the small campground was pleasant and only about a third full. Which is unique for the area, in our experience.

Hovenweep, which became a national monument in 1923, was once home to over 2,500 ancient pueblo people, between 1200 and 1300. We only explored the sites around the Visitor's Center, which did not require a high clearance vehicle. However, there were a lot of them to see along the 2 mile, Little Ruin trail. The extra bonus is that dogs are allowed on these trails!

On the drive out to Hovenweep on Road G.  It's in Utah, just across the border with Colorado. — On the drive out to Hovenweep on Road G. It's in Utah, just across the border with Colorado.

Little Ruin Trail —Tower Point.  Curt says Wendy is never in any pictures, well, that's her shadow to the left. — Little Ruin Trail —Tower Point. Curt says Wendy is never in any pictures, well, that's her shadow to the left.

Dogs are allowed on the trails at Hovenweep! (Curtis & Rufus)

A view of Sleeping Ute Mountain in the distance.  The legend has it that this is a greater warrior, who was wounded and laid down to rest (his head is towards the left of the photo and feet towards the right).  He will one day rise up agai… — A view of Sleeping Ute Mountain in the distance. The legend has it that this is a greater warrior, who was wounded and laid down to rest (his head is towards the left of the photo and feet towards the right). He will one day rise up again to help restore the land.

Morning view across the canyon from Twin Towers.

A view of Square Tower (in the bottom of the canyon) and Hovenweep castle.