Archaeologist-Guided Hiking: Mesa Verde, Cortez, Anasazi, Archaeology, Canyons of the Ancients

Experience the personal touch --with answers to your questions about what has been and what can be learned by studying Puebloan ruins.

• What is a kiva?

• Who were the Anasazi and where did they go?

• Why are they now called Ancestral Puebloans?

• What are the great mysteries of the prehistoric civilizations?

• How do archaeologists know where to dig?

Our staff archaeologists can accommodate groups or individuals having most all levels of ability. The archaeologist will provide a detailed narration about the terrain and ruin sites along the trail.

Pricing

Half-day, $150/up to 4 persons. (about 4 hours, 4 to 5 miles hiking)

Full -day, $235/up to 4 persons. (about 8 hours, 5 to 8 miles, with a packed lunch)

Each additional person:

Add $15 for half-day or $30 for a full day, including the packed lunch.

Canyons of the Ancients was designated a National Monument by President Clinton in 1999. It encompasses over 166,000 acres and has the highest known density of archaeological sites in the nation. To date, we are the only guiding agency permitted to conduct hiking tours into the monument.

Beginning on Kelly Place property, you can enter the Canyons of the Ancients Monument via a small red-rock canyon.

The trail leads gently upward along a ridge between two canyons until you reach an upper cliff--the White Rim. You will typically travel from 5,500 feet above sea level to 6,900 feet in two miles.

Several cliff-dwellings built into the White Rim can be visited on your tour. Kelly Place has partnered with the BLM and volunteer groups to stabilize some of these ruins, so that the sites will be maintained in their present condition for future generations to enjoy.

If you are taking the full day hike, your guide will find a shady place near the ruins to have lunch. Hikes will return via the same trail to the lodge.

Other hiking routes are possible. Call for more details.

Make Your Reservation Today!

Advance notice is required for the guided hikes. Hiking in the Monument is not recommended for physically impaired persons. Some climbing over broken rocks and narrow trails should be expected.

We recommend hiking shoes or sneakers for these trips. A large water bottle and a snack for the half day trips is appropriate. We have small back packs available if you do not have hiking gear. You should have sun screen and plenty of water and perhaps additional snacks as needed for the full day hike. A packed lunch is provided for the full day hikes but must be carried.