Navajo National Monument - October 2009

Navajo National Monument is in NE Arizona, not far from Monument Valley. It is the site of two Anasazi ruins, Betatakin and Keet Seel. There is a nice campground in the park that has paved sites large enough for our RV. It has no hookups but is free. The altitude is 7,200 feet so it gets a bit nippy during the October nights but we stayed warm and cozy.

Betatakin is a Navajo word meaning "house on a ledge". The ruin can be viewed from the end of a 1/2 mile trail from the visitor center. A Ranger-guided five mile round trip hike into the canyon is also available. I really wanted to do that one but because of my back problem decided to save it for another day. Keet Seel requires a more strenuous hike of 17 miles round trip.

The deep south-facing alcove provides protection from the elements, shade in the summer, and is warmed by the winter sun.

The site was occupied by an estimated 200 to 250 people between 1250 and 1300 when it was abandoned, apparently because of a prolonged drought. The people apparently thought they might return because they left stores of food and other items in sealed rooms. The left side of the ruin was destroyed when a portion of the alcove roof collapsed some time after the site was discovered by modern man.

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