Three Turkeys Canyon -- A Glimpse of the Ruins

Three Turkeys Canyon, in Northeastern Arizona, is a lovely hiking destination. The well-preserved ruins stand in their canyon wall nook as they have for centuries.

The hike down to the canyon floor begins with dramatic overviews of the canyon.

A cement plaque declares that Mr. Spencer and his crew worked on the trail in 1964. The trail is steep and rough, with lots of scree, but it's a short hike to the bottom. Our party included two little ones, rough-and-tumble girls of 2 and 5 years old.

The ruins are visible through the trees during the descent.

The three turkeys painted by the ancient cliff dwellers are fresh and clear today.

The Anasazi left ample evidence of their practical and artistic tendencies.

The October skies in this remote corner of the planet deepen against terracotta stone precipices.

Canyons walls composed of shinarump conglomerate sparkle in the sunlight, incorporating pebbles and bits of quartz.

The creek at the bottom runs light and shallow. I wonder how many centuries have passed since a river sustained the lively little village tucked neatly into this sheer cliff face. 

 

And I wonder, too, who in ancient times carried his little one on his shoulders along its shady banks on a bright October day.

The children befriended a colorful froggie, the only wildlife sighting of the day.

We could not have had a lovelier day or more congenial company for our hike. 

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"Let's Run Down the Canyon"

A run down - and back up - White House Trail in Canyon de Chelly is a refreshing break from our usual gym workouts, especially when the weather lures us outdoors. A tunnel at the top of the trail welcomes us.

We are eager for the run

The White House Trail is a three mile round trip from the canyon rim down the switchbacks to the wash and a view of the ruins.

The canyon is always delightfully inviting

The trail is kept fairly smooth and is suitable for running. In some places the trail is hewn from the canyon wall.

Locals in training run down and up 2 or 3 times. Once is usually enough for us. 

Another tunnel near the bottom

On the way back up.

Going up is a little more trying than the coast down.

Back at the top


It's always a pleasure to take a workout day to run down White House Trail in Canyon de Chelly.

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For a glimpse of the ruins, click the link below:

White House Ruins ~ Canyon de Chelly

A Room With a View

On Carson Mesa

There is always a rest stop on the rez. No one need suffer just because the next gas station is 40 miles away. Frankly, I prefer a well-ventilated room with a view to a stuffy, often dirty rural gas station, anyway. 

A well-worn path suggests there may be paper available; I however, always pack my own.

Wisely placed with the door away from the highway

An artist will always find a means of expression

On Balaiki Mesa

Rockin' on the Rez

Intriguing rock formations are a a big contributor to the treat that is the natural landscape here in northeastern Arizona. Some are the remains of giant waves of molten rock that long ago pushed themselves up from under the ground in spectacular displays of violence and energy. Thousands and millions and gazillions of years later  a tortured sculpture is still standing. 

Frozen in Time ~ A Monument to a Violent Event

Sentinel of a Vast Land

Pushed Along From Underneath

Alert Through Time 

Interestingly, these formations exude a sense of peace;  lightning rods that seem to draw all the trouble and turmoil of modern life to themselves and pull it far into the earth, leaving the surface land large and wide and at rest.

The Soothing Colors of a Resting Land 

Some interesting rock formations are the results of surface elements on the sandstone land. Wind and water, storms and wildly fluctuating temperatures, work together to fashion fascinating formations for our entertainment.

A Rock Family Squats on the Land

Gazing Dreamily Upon the Distant  Chuskas ~ A Never to be Realized Journey For This Otherwise Alpha Rock Person

Very Much an Earthling, Despite Appearances 

The Slow Reclamation of a Red Sandstone Mountain at Bita Hochee

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Roads on the Rez ~ An Exercise in Patience With a (Mostly) Beautiful View

Going anywhere on the Reservation can be an adventure. Wide views stretch the eyes to take in intriguing horizons, unending skies meet long stretches of colorful land, and there is almost always a road to take you there. 

Descent Into Beautiful Valley

Nazlini Road

Traveling South on Carson Mesa

Can You Choose the Road Less Traveled By?

A Beautiful Winter Road at Three Turkeys ~ Looking Out Toward  Black Mesa

There is a Beyond the Horizon

A Muddy Route Can Be a Challenge ~ The Road to Sawmill Beyond Spider Rock, Canyon de Chelly

The long roads, despite appearances, all lead to somewhere. A seemingly remote, endless road will usually take you to homes and people. Chinle Unified School District, for instance, has the longest bus route in the US. 

School Bus Route Below Fish Point, Black Mesa ~ Proof That it is Taking You Somewhere

Tagged But Legible

Yes, Pavement Eventually Wears Out ~ A Patched, Pitted, Mess of a Road in a Chinle Housing Project

The term, 'maintained' may sometimes be misleading. With so many miles of roads, and so much remoteness. it is not surprising, perhaps, that there is a constant need for improvements.

Patience Required for Travel on This Road!

Car Eating Potholes Punctuate This Road Near Tslani, Arizona

Fish Point is Around the Corner

With glorious landscapes and extravagant natural beauty, is it any wonder that the roads on the Rez draw us on and on?

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