Mesa Verde — dwellings from the past by Kim McMahill, Carlsbad, N.M.

High above Colorado’s Montezuma and Mancos Valleys rises a large plateau that contains abundant archeological treasures. Mesa Verde National Park, established in 1906, occupies a large part of the plateau and is home to the remains of dwellings constructed 700 years ago by the Ancestral Puebloan people (often referred to as Anasazi).

More than 600 cliff dwellings have been identified by archeologists on the mesa top and in rock alcoves in the canyon walls. Of those, about 40 pueblos and cliff dwellings are visible from park roads and overlooks. Many are open to the public, but some, like Cliff Palace and Balcony House, require tour tickets in order to enter the fragile structures.

From the park entrance it is a 15-mile drive to the Far View Visitor Center. There are limited ruins in this part of the park, but Far View is still a good place to get oriented. Park maps and tour tickets are available at the visitor center along with sweeping vistas of the plateau and access to park rangers for asking questions.

About six miles further up the road is where things begin to get really interesting. Multi-storied dwellings nestled into sandstone cliffs are clearly visible from marked pull-outs. The size and complexity of the structures is simply amazing. Contemplating the need by early residents to have such inaccessible dwellings and their later abandonment of the site make visiting the area an intriguing adventure.

Mesa Verde National Park is located midway between Cortez and Mancos, Colo., off of U.S. 160. Park roads are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. During the winter months roads and tours are open and available as weather permits, so it is advisable to check with the visitor center before venturing out.

For more information, log on to www.nps.gov/meve or call (970) 529-4465