Chimney Rock - Archuleta County, CO
Posted by: 
cldisme
N 37° 11.517 W 107° 18.361
13S E 295321 N 4118656
This abandoned community can be found in the San Juan National Forest southwest of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Waymark Code: WMA54F
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 11/18/2010
Views: 9
At Chimney Rock Filling Station, 107.8 m., is a foot trail. Left on this trail to
CHIMNEY ROCK, 1.5 m. (approximately 1½ hours each way), a formation standing on a high mesa that contains architectural remains believed to date back more than 1,000 years. These ruins are important as they indicate the limits of the territory inhabited by the prehistoric people of the Southwest. A pueblo chamber, 200 feet long and 80 feet wide, the only one excavated, is in fair state of preservation. In the vicinity are approximately 100 mounds believed to cover the structures containing stone relics of archeological importance. Remains of signal fires indicate the manner in which these tribes communicated with each other.
Colorado: A Guide to the Highest State (1941) – Tour 11 US 160 – Page 341
Chimney Rock consists of 14 residential sites and 2 ceremonial sites. Four of these sites have been excavated and stabilized and are presented during the guided tour.
The purpose of this site is speculated to be ceremonial rather than economic, although a small community was established to support the ceremonial functions. Key points of the major buildings are oriented to familiar solstices and equinoxes, but also to the Crab Nebula Supernova of 1054 (which was reported in European and Asian histories to be bright enough to see in daylight for nearly a month and visible in the night sky for nearly two years).
Another major draw to the site is a lunar phenomenon called a "lunar standstill." Surveys have shown that the Great House falls into alignment with the full moon when it rises between the two pinnacles of Chimney Rock during a thirty-month "northern moon standstill." The last one being in 2007 and not scheduled again until 2022.
The
Chimney Rock Interpretive Association conducts daily guided walking tours and operates the Visitor Center from May 15 to September 30. Tour reservations for groups of ten or more are required.
The fee for the tours are $10 for Adults (12 and older), $5 for children 5-11 and those under 5 are free. The tour is conducted on unpaved trails and with minimal shade. Visitors are highly recommended to wear appropriate footwear, sun protection, and bring enough water for their party.