A View From The Third Coast: The Sacred and Serene: Canyon de Chelly National Monument

As I mentioned in the introductory post Canyon de Chelly is the sacred landmark that makes this area stand out in a land filled with wonders. There are numerous opportunities for one to admire and explore. Yet, you can also feel the history in the air, and gaining the perspective of what happened here makes it all the more worthwhile. Just to give you an idea of the extent to which this land is remarkable to historians and tourists alike, I include this link to a map of the general "Four Corners" and surrounding area. (Notice, there are many "places of note" not listed within the Navajo Nation because this is a U.S. government map)

We have had a few lucky opportunities to hike into some of the canyons that are contained within the larger Canyon de Chelly area. The map below will help you get an idea of what this canyon "system" looks like from above.

These canyons are a labyrinth of sheer cliffs and coiling turns carved into the red sandstone by the steady trickle of water flowing downhill from the mountain ranges to the North and East. I can testify to the extra-sensory experience that a trip into these canyons can be. Not only can you see the markings left by both man and nature, but you can almost hear those who left them laugh and cry. The canyon floor is composed of the blood and dust of early humans who lived and died within the walls, and it seems one can smell and even taste this history.

Below are images that we have collected in our hikes and adventures over our few months here:

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

The view from one of the many overlooks along the south rim of Canyon de Chelly

From the Rim: Start of the trail down to White House Ruin

From the Rim: On a Cloudy Day

Strange "flowing" sandstone along the walls of Canyon de Chelly

A Shadowy Canyon

The Walls Up Close: Layer upon Layer

Canyon Walls Catch Rays

Walls Towering Above

The Canyon From an Overlook

Canyon Overlook at Sunset

Slim Canyon

We had the wonderful opportunity to take a hike into a private canyon whose owner was the patient of a doctor at the hospital here in Chinle.

A hike on a late summer evening with friends and neighbors was just what we needed in the middle of the work week. We began by descending a narrow trail down to the canyon's floor and proceeded to hike eastward "upstream" stopping to see ancient ruins as well as messages left by people throughout many centuries in the forms of petroglyphs and pictographs.

The Canyon's Prickly Floor