Balcony House, Mesa Verde National Park, CO
Posted by: 
94RedRover
N 37° 09.694 W 108° 27.866
12S E 725146 N 4115806
Quick Description: Balcony House is one of the ruins in Mesa Verde National Park that is not visible from the roadway, but from the view and meeting area for this tour, there are numerous other dwellings visible.
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 5/1/2009 7:05:31 PM
Waymark Code: WM6AAB
Views: 2
Long Description:A $3.00 guided tour is required to gain access to the Balcony
House. From Mesa Top Ruin Road, it isn't visible, as it is snuggled
in the cliff below you. The Balcony House is believed to have been
inhabited much later than som eof the other ruins, and it's claim
to fame may have been a strong spring that provided ample water to
its residents. There ia evidence however, that the structure
changed dramatically towards the end of it's inhabitation.
Getting down to the dwelling, one is immediately faced with a
wall that was put up blocking good entrance to the rest of the
dwelling. The distinct outline of a doorway and large windows being
bricked up stare right at you. The only way in is through a 12 foot
tunnel, that even a child would have to crawl to get through. This
would easily allow anyone protecting the site to be able to strike
whoever came through easily and effectively.
Was this bricked up entrance for protection...or was this a
stronghold for the precious water source?
Wanna get back up to the mesa top? Don't worry. You do not have
to climb up the cliff wall with your fingertips, as the original
inhabitants obviously did. There is now a 32 foot ladder to climb
up. It shakes, it's high up...just don't look down...