Hovenweep Castle
I had hoped to photograph the lunar eclipse with a tower ruin in the foreground but couldn’t because the ruins’ areas are closed at sunset so waited until the following day to explore Hovenweep National Monument.
Twin Towers & Eroded Boulder House (my favorite)
“Hovenweep” is a Paiute and Ute word meaning “deserted valley” and was named by pioneer photographer William H Jackson who visited in 1874.
Stronghold House
Established as a National Monument in 1923 Hovenweep is made up of six separate units spread over a 20-mile stretch of mesa tops and canyons. All units are open to the public but most are in remote locations and are difficult to reach. The Ranger in the visitor center told us the landscape is dotted with ruins.
We only had time to explore the Square Tower area, an easy loop trail of 2 miles mostly on top of the mesa and dog friendly. Plus it wasn’t crowded.
Twin Towers, Eroded Boulder House & Stronghold House
A small spring at the head of Little Ruin Canyon along with rainwater sustained an ancestral Pueblo community over 700 years ago allowing the people to flourish in what looks like a harsh environment. I could almost hear people talking and children laughing as life evolved around these clusters of buildings.
Twin Towers
Their masonry skills were impressive constructing with local rock, wood and mud mortar to create a variety of geometric shapes. There has been little excavation and lots of speculation by archaeologists who aren’t sure if the structures were observation towers, communication structures, defensive bastions, ceremonial edifices, living quarters or all of these things.
Hovenweep House, Square Tower & Hovenweep Castle
Barriers restrict visitors from getting close to the ruins in an effort to preserve these sites. Yet we saw a man (blue shirt) apparently leading a group of photographers go off trail to the square tower in a blatant disregard for the rules not to mention setting a bad example for his tour group.
Having just earned my Junior Ranger badge maybe I should have busted him.
Definitely need more time for exploration including Canyons of the Ancients National Monument across the border in Colorado.
Made a quick stop at the historic Hatch Trading Post which looks more interesting from the outside than in. A sign on the door said “No Cameras” but I can’t understand what was in the store of importance other than cold soda and beer plus some canned goods on the shelves that look like they’ve been there a long time. So we were off to Natural Bridges with the hope of getting a campsite for the night.
Ranger Gaelyn, nice summary of the Hovenweep main loop. Beautiful scenery there and no crowds, I love visiting there. Impressive how well the structures have survived being out in the open like that. Cliff dwellings elsewhere in the region have the huge advantage of being protected from most rain and snow by being located in overhanging alcoves.
Thanks Steve. Sorry we missed you on this whirl wind tour. These structures are in great shape.
ive not seen any blog entries on this cool place. Beautiful. Thanks for posting it for us to read.
You’re welcome. It’s a small yet sweet monument that I think gets missed.
It doesn’t appear that too many people venture out there. Glad you did so you could show us around! Looks like an interesting place to explore.
A nice quiet little monument worthy of more explorations.
Really love the ancient ruins. Somehow they seem so artistic in the way they were built. Great picture of you getting your junior ranger badge. I didn’t know adults could do that. Do you actually get a badge? Hope you at least told the ranger about the rule disobeyer. He may know the group. Why do some people think they are so special that rules don’t apply to them?
Those folks were very accomplished builders. I have 20 Junior Ranger badges and have only been turned down once for being too old. Fun to collect. I saw the trespasser after being in the VC so didn’t go back to report him.
I am not sure that I have ever been there. It looks like a great place to visit. It drives me crazy when people don’t follow the rules necessary to preserve places. You’d think photographers would know better.
This is a sweet little monument but rather off the beaten path. Yea, that guy rather pissed me off.
Love you sharing the older buildings in your area. They are always so much more interesting than anything new! Hope your week is a good one Diane.
The masonry work is amazing in these old structures. Definitely beats new construction.
Gaelyn, what an interesting place! you sure are an explorer! do they have a badge for that? Nice series of photos! Have fun camping!
Thanks. Having a lot of fun exploring new places with Bill as a guide. There actually is an Explorer badge for astronomy which I have. As the temps drop camping in the back of Bill’s truck will get less.
We visited hovenweep last fall. I love the ancient structures. Glad you made a visit. Your photos are beautiful.
Thank you. I’d like to return before winter sets in.
I think this is the first time I’ve seen photos from Hovenweep. It seems to be off the beaten path for most fellow RV Bloggers. I always like those long ago places with with their ruins & ever present Spirits. Great photos, great job:))
Thanks Al. It is a little out of the way with a small campground and limited large RV parking but so worth a visit.
It’s an amazing place isn’t it. Painted Hand Pueblo is our favourite place, well worth visiting on your next trip. Have fun!
Thanks for the recommendation. Will do.
Love the ruins that show such a sophisticated community, and amazing building skills. I could wander there and hear the stories in my head for hours. Until an idiot ruined it by disregarding the rules 🙁 Your photos are wonderful, we definitely have to make our way out there.
Hi Gaelyn,
We visited this last year in the WARM month of August, along with stops at Mesa Verde, and Canyon de Chelly. It certainly would have been a great place for the lunar eclipse or even a
shot of the Milky Way. The whole area is so rich in history that we have ignored for so long. Now
the Native Americans are able to get their history out.
The Milky Way was brilliant during the eclipse. I should have brought a second tripod to shoot that.
Junior Ranger huh? How funny!!! You should have busted that guy (seriously, what a dud of a groupo leader). Beautiful ruins — how I’d love to see them. Totally misssed when we were in the area.
I do love the Junior Ranger program and learn a lot about the parks I visit earning my badge. Probably should have talked to that guy.