Long Weekend in Chaco Canyon | Saturday

[IntrepidXJ]

http://myxj.net/signs/chacosigns.jpg

Saturday, June 11, 2011

On Saturday morning I got up a little earlier than Amanda and headed out to try and get a photo of Fajada Butte at sunrise (since they don

[IntrepidXJ]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5862291098_f171f0b588.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5862291098/)
Penasco Blanco (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5862291098/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Finally we reached what’s left of Penasco Blanco. I don’t believe this site has been excavated. Amanda found some shade to sit and rest in, while I walked around the site and explored. There were actually a lot of potsherds here, which I had noticed were absent from the excavated sites that are easier for people to get to.

The hike back was a bit hotter, but we were pretty lucky and there was a nice breeze the whole time to help keep us cool. We even found a little shade on the way back and sat down for a while to rest in the breeze…..it was pretty nice.

Once back, we went back to camp for some lunch and to relax some more until evening. Once we were rested up I went back to the petroglyphs between Chetro Ketl and Pueblo Bonito for some photos.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2794/5864601127_0c60668e2e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5864601127/)
Snake Man and Sheep (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5864601127/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3159/5865169486_5507dc9b0b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5865169486/)
Snakes and Spirals (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5865169486/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/5865181124_cf9986333c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5865181124/)
Richard Wetherill (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5865181124/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Even though it was mid-day and the light was pretty harsh, I just had to get a photo of Richard Wetherill’s grave while I was nearby.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5077/5864637225_f3ee46e297.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5864637225/)
Hand Holding Panel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5864637225/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

This panel was located high above Richard Wetherill’s grave. It’s hard to see, but there’s quite a few figures in this one with a large hand petroglyph and a number of figures holding hands.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/5865206356_9860962ce1.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5865206356/)
Pueblo del Arroyo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5865206356/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

Next we explored Pueblo del Arroyo

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5200/5861558481_a48cc18d94.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861558481/)
Pueblo Bonito Overlook (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861558481/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

For sunset I decided to head up to the Pueblo Bonito Overlook. The trail leading up there was pretty cool, and there was a lot to see along the way. Next time I’m at Chaco, I will need to complete the loop to Pueblo Alto while I am up there.

On my way down I stopped for a few last photos at Kin Kletso.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/5861478731_c809fa6c3e.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861478731/)
Moon Over Kin Kletso (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861478731/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5263/5861462433_522c813eac.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861462433/)
View Through Kin Kletso (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861462433/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5118/5861451663_9f426561c0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861451663/)
Polarized Circle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5861451663/) by IntrepidXJ (http://www.flickr.com/people/rlngstrt/), on Flickr

A sun circle caused by my polarizer….and I liked the colors in this photo.

From there it was back to camp and right to bed….it was a long but fun and interesting day!

Sunday still to come…

[oldno7]

Cool Randy, have you read the book "Richard Wetherill:Anasazi" by McNitt?

Tells a lot about the area and Wetherills part in it...

[IntrepidXJ]

Cool Randy, have you read the book "Richard Wetherill:Anasazi" by McNitt?

Tells a lot about the area and Wetherills part in it...

Yep, I have.....it's on my bookshelf at home :)