We woke up to rain. After breakfast,we decided to hike to White House Ruin under cloudy skies with intermittent sprinkles. The sun was in and out, but the hike didn't disappoint. We've done this hike several times, down hand hewn rock steps, with a hogan along the way, across a raging creek, and to White House Ruin. Just as beautiful as the first time we saw it!
We drove along the north rim of Canyon del Muerto and stopped at the Massacre Cave Overlook, where in 1805, a Spanish military expedition fought with a group of Navajo
people. At the end of the day-long battle, 115
Navajo warriors were killed. The rock shelter where they took cover is
today called Massacre Cave.
"The first known settlers in Canyon de Chelly were the Archaic people
about 5,000 years ago, from 2500 to 200 BC. They did not build permanent
homes but lived in seasonal campsites. They hunted and gathered for
their food in the area.
Then came the basket-makers who lived in the canyon from 200 BC to AD 750. They were farmers instead of hunters and gatherers. Over time they built a farming community complete with large granaries and public structures.
From AD 750 to 1300, a new group of settlers called the Pueblos, started to build stone houses above ground. They connected the stone houses and built multi-story villages with household compounds and kivas with decorated walls. They are often referred to as the Anasazis, or the “ancient ones.” Most of the ruins we see today are from these settlers, including the well-known White House.
From AD 750 to 1300, a new group of settlers called the Pueblos, started to build stone houses above ground. They connected the stone houses and built multi-story villages with household compounds and kivas with decorated walls. They are often referred to as the Anasazis, or the “ancient ones.” Most of the ruins that you see today are from these settlers, including the well-known White House.
In the 1800s’ the United States military started pushing westward and claimed the area as its territory. They tried to relocate the Navajos to eastern New Mexico. Colonel Kit Carson forced 8,000 Navajos to walk 300 miles from the area to Fort Sumner, NM. Many died and this is sadly remembered as “The Long Walk.” After four years they were allowed to return to Canyon de Chelly. Today, it’s a living community of the Navajo people."
Then came the basket-makers who lived in the canyon from 200 BC to AD 750. They were farmers instead of hunters and gatherers. Over time they built a farming community complete with large granaries and public structures.
From AD 750 to 1300, a new group of settlers called the Pueblos, started to build stone houses above ground. They connected the stone houses and built multi-story villages with household compounds and kivas with decorated walls. They are often referred to as the Anasazis, or the “ancient ones.” Most of the ruins we see today are from these settlers, including the well-known White House.
From AD 750 to 1300, a new group of settlers called the Pueblos, started to build stone houses above ground. They connected the stone houses and built multi-story villages with household compounds and kivas with decorated walls. They are often referred to as the Anasazis, or the “ancient ones.” Most of the ruins that you see today are from these settlers, including the well-known White House.
In the 1800s’ the United States military started pushing westward and claimed the area as its territory. They tried to relocate the Navajos to eastern New Mexico. Colonel Kit Carson forced 8,000 Navajos to walk 300 miles from the area to Fort Sumner, NM. Many died and this is sadly remembered as “The Long Walk.” After four years they were allowed to return to Canyon de Chelly. Today, it’s a living community of the Navajo people."
