My camping equipment

My camping equipment
Campsite setup

Monday, June 3, 2019

Summer Trip 2019, Mesa Verde National Park





This is our third visit to Mesa Verde National Park. This year we camped out at Morehead campground at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. I made good use of our solar panel as there is no electric at our campsite. The park has added electric sites on one loop since we visited back in 2016 however you have to make your reservations well in advance to get one.


Barbara relaxing by our campsite at Morehead campground

Our campsite, notice our ACO 105 watt solar panel mounted on top of our trailer
The last night of our stay we took a hike on the knife edge hiking trail which starts at the south end of the campground. The view from this spectacular trail overlooks the valley below as it traverses just below the cliffs of the Mesa. This is one of our favorite hikes in the park.


Barbara on the knifes edge trail

The spectacular Mesa's of Mesa Verde National Park

Snow capped peak in the San Juan mountain chain

You can see for miles with spectacular views in all directions

Rocks stacked near the trail

During our visit in 2016 we took tours of several of the cliff dwellings. The following images our from that visit. Back then we took ranger led hikes to Balcony House & Cliff House. 

 


Visitors Center




Mesa Verde
Step House self guided tour








Collared Lizard




Cliff House Ranger led tour






Ladder near entrance to Cliff House
The gentleman in the background is a hiker who we meet from Iowa





The Climb out of Cliff House


Balcony House Ranger led tour





35 foot ladder up to Balcony House

Barbara's Indiana Jones moment



Keva gathering place







20 step ladder out of Balcony House

Last steps out of Balcony House

Panoramic views of Mesa Verde



Sun Temple

View points of of cliff dwellings from loop drive





This year we visited Mancos, a beautiful an intriguing western Colorado town not far from the entrance of Mesa Verde National Park. We enjoyed the interesting shops and unique art oriented nature of this charming town.


The beautiful snow capped San Juan mountains as seen from Mancos, NM
Old farm machinery in one of Mancos town parks

The river was full of snow melt coming from the San Juan mountains

Muriel on one of  the walls of the shops in town
The Mancos Inn Hostel is a great place to stay when in town

The Museum is a great stop when in town


Mesa Verde National Park

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