2007 SW Trip: Mesa Verde
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These canyons are all much narrower and less friendly than Canyon de Chelly, where I thought that the cliff dwelling concept served defensive needs. However, the brochures here say that there is no indication of defensive structure or need. I kept wondering why they built in this way and in this inhospitable looking place. Remember the view north from the fire lookout at the beginning? Doesn't that valley look much more inviting than this? The abandonment of these cliff dwellings and Canyon de Chelly suggests that the weather changed drier, reducing the number of people the area could support. But that doesn't seem to answer why they chose this place over the valley to the north in the first place.