Walnut Canyon National Monument - Flagstaff, AZ
Posted by: 
Rayman
N 35° 10.305 W 111° 30.564
12S E 453613 N 3892208
Walnut Canyon features numerous cliff dwellings that were used by the Sinagua people of Arizona.
Waymark Code: WM8KXA
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 04/16/2010
Views: 11
From
Arizona: A Guide to the State as part of Tour 2 (US Route 66, today mostly known as I-40):
Left on this to the Park Service's WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMNET, 5 m. On the sides of this gorge which is cut in a limestone plateau are the remains of about 300 cliff dwellings, believed to have been built and occupied from about 900 to 1100 A.D. and abandoned because of prolonged drought. Matting, stone implements (including hoes), and other relics have been uncovered. The northern wall of the canyon served as a windbreak and shelter. Water was carried up to the cliffs on a well-built trail. Large shells are often found in the vicinity and fossils abound.
Two trails start at the visitor's center, each giving different opportunities to see the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon. The easier trail is a paved path along the edge of the canyon. It is shorter, but easier. The second trail leads down a large set of stairs and around an "island". Here you can see the cliff dwellings up close, as well as the ones across the canyon. Admission to the park is $5.