A YEAR ON THE ROAD IN OUR MOTORHOME
BOOK 4/PAGE 7
Canyon De Chelly - A long, narrow canyon cut in the desert millions of years ago and home to the Anasazi Indians for many years. You can drive along either rim and view the canyon from above or climb down several trails that lead to several villages like the shown on the left. The canyon winds for miles and the local indians will take you on an extensive jeep tour if you so desire.
June, 1991 to June, 1992
One of the most viewed part of the canyon is Spider Rock, a monolith that rises almost to the rim of the canyon. On the right you can see a jeep trail below. The canyon is probably about 600 feet deep with a small stream wandering through it.
The view of Spider Rock is one that we just stood and looked for a long time. We wondered if anyone had ever attempted to climb it but on second thought the rock looks pretty brittle. On the right is a horse coral of one of the indians that currently lives in the canyon.
The best place to get down to the canyon floor is the White House Trail. It winds the 600 feet down the cliff to the base and then down the canyon for about a 1/4 mile to the White House, a preserved cliff village. On the way we pass by an indian Hogan, where medicine is made in the old ways.
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The White House Ruins are not open to the public and a good thing as the general public would destroy it in short time. In order to get close to the ruins you have to ford the small stream. And we both can tell you that the water is extremely cold!
Another of the excellent views from along the rim. And Jeanne takes a break so I can take a photograph and then we have lunch over looking the canyon.
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