The Towers of Hovenweep

[IntrepidXJ]

This last weekend Amanda and I headed south to Hovenweep National Monument and the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. This is an area we have been close to many times before, but had not been to yet. I'm not sure why it took so long, but it was definitely well worth the visit, and I'm looking forward to heading back to explore more in the future!

After setting up camp at the Hovenweep campground, we started out by making our way over to the Holly Group of ruins a few miles away.

Holly Tower and Holly House
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173381-2/IMG_1204.jpg

Holly House
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173387-2/IMG_1218.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173396-2/IMG_1248.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173411-2/IMG_1283.jpg

After visiting Holly, we backtracked to the hiking trail for both the Horseshoe and Hackberry ruins. After a nice half mile hike, we reached Horseshoe.

Round Tower perched on the canyon rim (Shiprock on the horizon).
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173474-2/IMG_1552.jpg

Horseshoe House
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173456-2/IMG_1484.jpg

After hiking back to the Jeep we then took a rougher road to the Cutthroat Castle ruins. The Cutthroat ruins were pretty cool.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173480-2/IMG_1560.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173489-2/IMG_1577.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173492-2/IMG_1579.jpg

These ruins were built on an overhang with smaller ruins below.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173495-2/IMG_1584.jpg

Our next stop was the first set of ruins that we would visit in the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument; the Painted Hand Pueblo.

Painted Hand Tower
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173528-2/IMG_1714.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173531-2/IMG_1719.jpg

This tower also was built on an overhang with more ruins below it.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173558-2/IMG_1779.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173552-2/IMG_1770.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173564-2/IMG_1802.jpg

After leaving Painted Hand, we decided to make one last stop in the Canyons of the Ancients at the Pedro Point Ruins before heading back to the campground for some dinner.

While there was not much left standing at the Pedro Point Ruins, you could tell this was a pretty good sized community at one time.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173576-2/IMG_1854.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

There was a small tower still standing on a rock on a boulder on the floor of the canyon.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173579-2/IMG_1858.jpg

Before we had some dinner, we explored the Holly trail near our campsite, which ended up going through a narrow gap in some boulders. Amanda took a picture of me in the slot.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173591-2/IMG_1879.jpg

After having some dinner, we made our way over to the Square Tower group for sunset.

Plenty of ruins here in Little Ruin Canyon (Unit Type House, Twin Towers, Eroded Boulder House, Rim Rock House).
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173333-2/IMG_1946.jpg

Twin Towers
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173323-2/IMG_1930.jpg

Eroded Boulder House is one of the most interesting ruins I have seen.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173327-2/IMG_1938.jpg

Hovenweep Castle

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173345-2/IMG_2004.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173348-2/IMG_2007.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173357-2/IMG_2029.jpg

It was a long day, so shortly after sunset we were back at camp and fast asleep.

[IntrepidXJ]

On Sunday morning we were up early again to catch sunrise at the Square Tower group.

Twin Towers in the morning sunlight.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173660-2/IMG_2060.jpg

Eroded Boulder House and Rim Rock House in the morning sun.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173675-2/IMG_2082.jpg

After packing up camp we made our way over to the Cajon ruins.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173708-2/IMG_8104.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173711-2/IMG_8110.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173696-2/IMG_8089.jpg

Before starting our way home, we had two more stops to make. The first one was the Lowry Pueblo in the Canyons of the Ancients.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173720-2/IMG_8118.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173726-2/IMG_8122.jpg

[IntrepidXJ]

Headed into the semi-restored pueblo to check out one of the kivas.
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173609-2/IMG_8132.jpg

The light reflecting off of the walls through the doorways created a nice orange glow.

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173618-2/IMG_8152.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173624-2/IMG_8156.jpg

http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173627-2/IMG_8157.jpg

The Great Kiva
http://www.myxj.net/g2/d/173654-2/IMG_8183.jpg

After our visit at the Lowry Ruins, we made one last visit to the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores before heading home.

For the full report with even more photos, head over to my website: http://www.myxj.net/blog/3364

[accadacca]

Friggin' epic Randy. :hail2thechief: :cool2:

[ststephen]

Nice pics! We camped there for one night on a summer trip and loved it.

[Win]

I was there a couple of years ago but didn't do it as thoroughly as you. Thanks for reminding me that I need to go back.
Great TR, as are all of yours.

Win