I camped in Mesa Verde two nights during late September 1994. I hiked all of the Anasazi ruins, fabulous sites, so interesting. These ancient ones certainly knew how to build structures that would last. Love the place.
I was going to say this, I've been to MV a few times and its pretty impossible to get the shot of Cliff Palace that Tristan got at 5:58, a scan of the full facade with no people in the shot, under normal conditions. There's a constant flow of tours going through when its not winter. So you can't get up close and personal with the ruins, but you can get some photographs you can't get normally (and getting up close and personal with the ruins also means being in a giant tour group of people, so definite pros and cons)
Unique glimpse of the park w/snow...appreciate your doing the legwork for those of us who can no longer do the hiking thing. Kivas...hot tubs of the time!
I visited Mesa Verde in 2013. Driving in, point lookout seemed to dominate the views. The guided tours each have a separate charge ($3 back then) in addition to the park's entrance fee. I took the tour of Cliff Palace, since it's pretty much the most famous part of the park. Getting out requires climbing up three ladders. The Far View area, if I remember the info correctly, was built before the cliff dwellings. The natives lived on the mesas, but later descended into the canyons and built in the alcoves of the cliffs to get away from enemies. I saw Square Tower House when it was under restoration and had all that scaffolding around it. Thanks for showing it in its restored glory.
Have been to Mesa Verde three times now. The loop that you were talking about is 2 trails to choose from. There is a longer Trail which goes to the valley floor and it's a great track. Definitely take water and wear a hat.
SUV RVing coffee ma friend. Who needs sleep when you got coffee and a car with a working heater. In case you still wondering south Utah see if you can get to wave and many places in coyote buttes on the AZ border line. Great videos. Thank you.
Was there in October in the early 90’s. Wonderful experience with everything accessible. It was crowded however. There is something great about visiting in the winter like you did. You can be more contemplative. After all, it does have a sacredness that is wonderful to experience. Thanks for the memories, sir!
I used to go there as part of a fire crew every spring. We were doing a massive shaded fuel break around all the structures in that park. When they later had massive wildfires that ran through the park the fire dropped to the ground and protected the buildings and homes. Mesa Verde is always a cool place to go. thanks for sharing.
We went this past August and it is truly a beautiful park. Driving through the burned out section is other worldly with the yellow and brown shades. Nice video.
Looked very pretty. On my list. Passed it many times. Did you know that north out of Cortez is a place called Hovenweep? You would be able to camp on blm outside of the park. Inside is a very nice camp area and visitor center next to the ancient ruins in a small canyon. It's about 20 some odd miles in the middle of farm land and faces Sleeping Ute Mountain. Lots of hiking. Great place to video I think.
I live in Colorado and the first time I visited Mesa Verde was in the 1980s. You could still go Down into the ruins without a tour. It was a great experience. Few people around and you could sit and imagine what transpired back when. Thanks for the video as always.
looks like a great time to visit! if you have been there before with the tours (great info) ! less peeps in this time of the year.. thanks pard. happy trails always...
Been there a few times in the summer and a polar opposite as to crowds and weather. Guided tours are the future as they are trying to preserve these gems.
I visited the Cliff Dwellings near Silver City NM on New Years Day 2000. It was in the 30's outside with 6" of snow on ground on way in. We were the first footprints in the snow after the ranger made morning rounds. Up in the cliff dwellings it was 20 degrees hotter at mid-day with the winter sun shining on the rock face (that's one of the reasons why they built dwellings there - warmth in winter). Perfect for a picnic. We were the only visitors there and hung out for hours. There are perks to going off season in certain parks.
Nice, I was just there in October... stayed at Walts World in Cortez... I did the park the next day... it was beautiful! It looks beautiful snow. Hope you enjoyed your time💜
When we visited in 2017, the Cliff Palace was close for restoration work so we took the Long House tour as an alternative. While not as well-preserved/restored as Cliff Palace, Long House is roughly comparable in size and the ruins are spectacularly impressive nonetheless. And the hike in and out is quite scenic as a bonus. Definitely recommend that if you have the opportunity.
The cliff dwelling that you showed my husband and kids and I walked all over it in 85'. It was really cool to walk among the buildings and think about living there. What a shame that people can no longer go to them. I believe the round rooms where the ceremonial places. But don't go in the summer it was miserably hot when we were there. You brought back memories of my kids climbing around on the building up above. (not destructively)
My first visit was the first week of April after a weather report that there would be 2-3 inches of snow in Moab, 2-3 feet of snow in Bryce Canyon, where I was initially heading. So I went South, hit 6-8 inches going over mtns to Cortez. I hit a squally climbing to the tunnel going into Mesa Verde, went through the tunnel and the sun was out an beautiful, but 45 degrees. Got to remember you at 7500 feet.
I had an interesting view looking DOWN at the 4th of July fireworks over Cortez, CO from Mesa Verde NP a few years ago. At 6 miles distant, the colorful fireworks appeared small and the muffled "boom" arrived about 35 seconds after the explosion. But what a beautiful vantage point. There is so much to see and do in the 'four corners' area.
I am related by marriage to one of the early rangers of the park, Fred Jeep, who was there when it was it was established as a park in 1906. It was almost always a very seasonal place even back then. I know there was a tour of Cliff Palace in winter at one time. Even with the crowds in summer, it is awe-inspiring.
I still remember visiting Mesa Verde years ago as a kid. Back then we could still roam through the ruins and I can recall walking through rooms and climbing down into kivas. One of the more vivid memories of vacationing in Colorado each year with my family. Now I live just a few hundred miles away but have not made it there again. However, it is on the list and I plan to go there probably in 2021.
I get the feeling that the "guided tour only" model may spread to other national parks in order to protect the historic resources. Favorites: definitely the cliff dwellings, also the kivas in the grand building. Thanks for having me along!
You mentioned skiing and snowshoes on the trails. That would be cross country skis I presume? I’ve never been to this park but it’s one on my bucket list. I enjoyed your visit to the site with the spiral rock, and the overlooks of the other sites. Nice footage.
It looks beautiful in the snow! I visited Mesa Verde kind of on a whim with my kids back in August. We only had a day but got to see quite a bit and even managed to get on the tour to see Cliff Palace.
If you're still hopping around the area, there's some fantastic dispersed camping/hiking past Newspaper Rock just outside canyonlands 1.5 hrs west. Did a loop including Mesa Verde and there last fall and it was fantastic
I enjoyed the dwelling views. You saw more than I did when I went through that area. I read that Native American numbers before 1492 is estimated at 60,000,000. I just can’t imagine they were that high. In 1920’s, the US has about 100,000,000
I went from Durango to Natural Bridges that same day. You must have been one of the two cars I saw on the way. Staying ahead of the tourists is more important than staying ahead of the weather.
First and foremost great video. I was last there in the early 90’s with wife and two very young energetic boys. What I recall is crime. There were constant warnings of be aware. We didn’t stay long 😖. We loved Chaco and returned again and again.
My father and I went to Mesa Verde in the summer. We spent the night at Far View Lodge. I went outside under the moonlight and stood in the sage, I think it was, while a big owl made silent hunting passes back and forth around me at about eye level. It was a magical experience.
What were you thinking? Mesa Verde is 8570 feet in elevation. That means winter snow and lots of it. I'm surprised there were any roads open. You do attempt some crazy adventures, even if they don't work out.
Most enjoyable - thank you. I’ve seen Mesa Verdi in tourist high season, with too many other people! Great to see it in winter and to see just how much snow fall there is, which helps to explain how the Native Americans prospered in this (comparatively recent) arid climate.The snow is so much more effective than equivalent rainfall in recharging shallow aquifers, which then feed more or less year-round springs. (Apologies! The ancient hydro Geologist can’t help himself!)
Just noticed my misspell; for “Verdi” read “Verde”. Reminds me of the time I tried to learn Spanish; I knew just enough French and Italian to make a complete ‘dog’s breakfast ‘ of the whole exercise!
Was this on the same trip you did Hovenweep & Canyons of the Ancients? That video was terrific as was this one. It seems that you wind up in many of the places I have seen in 40 years of traveling out west. Hopefully I can get back to the area soon; I want to check out Butler wash and Comb ridge in Utah. Thanks, as always.
I was there last Sept. really loved it. Walking through Cliff Palace was on my bucket list. That road leading across the mesa, had me gripping the steering wheel. I can’t imagine driving it snow covered. ;)
I drove by there last month on my way to Great Sand Dunes NP and really wanted to stop for a quick visit. Had to keep going though so I could beat a snow storm and get over Wolf Creek Pass before it got socked in.
@@SUVRVing I liked it a lot. It was also great that I nearly had the place to myself. Spent a whole day there and only saw a few other people from a distance.
Beautiful Park! I haven't been to many parks out West, I live East Coast. I do enjoy your Videos. Thanks for Making them. I like the Cliff Dwellings. Happy Trails!
I was in page Arizona for a few days about a month and a half maybe two months ago to ride my motorcycle to Monument valley and I seriously considered going to Cortez Colorado, but ended up turning around at Mexican hat. Beautiful trip but perhaps not going all the way to Cortez was a good idea.
I have been to cliff dwellings before in the 1960s mostly prior to their being micro-managed by Parks & Recreation. So, there were very few restrictions by management in those days and you could get right in there to look around. Also, in those days there were no museums, walkways or campgrounds and very few tourists even during the busiest season. I was mostly impressed by their size which you just can't appreciate from afar. After some exploration and study, I realized that life might have been quite secure and comfortable living like that...
Wow that was a 1st time seeing that I guess there is a lot of benefits for the winter it's not so hot not a lot of people but those Cliff dwelling are amazing I'm glad I ran into your channel because Definitely been put a lot of thought into exploring and I need some motivation and you have to be it sure So thanks for bringing us a long showing us the awesome part of the United States then it's right and all of our backyards I know you god bless be safe Godspeed. I am also going to check out your facebook page I could definitely use some new networking I just got a land rover 2002 and it's got low miles I wanna fix that LOL
Lol. Mesa Verde in the winter is awesome, but not recommended. We did it when I was a kid. Our trailer got blown around and we did not sleep. Lol Mesa Verde is an amazing place to see.
We are headed to this park in January. All Mesa Verde videos are mostly from summer and fall; so this video was highly relevant to our upcoming trip. You have given us a clear idea of what to expect. Honestly, I will take the solitude over anything else. The point Lookout hike looks very interesting and likely something we will do. A question if you don't mind: Where were you camped? You mentioned a BLM site that seemed close by the park. Thanks!
Coming down that road when snow covered? Brr. I am shivering and not from cold. BTW, I saved a tarantula from being run over by a tour bus at Mesa Verde. One of my better moments.
Loved the kiva with wood rails still in place! I missed that... gotta go back. Did you see the high curving bronze tribute sculpture at the park's entrance?
You may not be seeing comments on a video this old, but just in case: I am wondering if you've been to the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches trail in the Black Ridge Wilderness west of Grand Junction? It is a little bit north of Mesa Verde, but very well worth it if you're ever in the area.
Pretty much all guided tours and closures of most things occur during the October time till spring comes around. Was pretty bummed out when I went there and they stopped tours a few days prior
The website on nps.gov and their tour-schedule easily indicades that there is not much access until spring (at least). There are parts of the park that are totally closed until may. Anyway. You took some great shots without people. I always wondered how the park looks in winter and how it is when there are no tourists around. Thanks for this clip.
I am ashamed to say I was too chicken to climb the ladder into Balcony house. I really liked that park. Want to go back and camp there, and do some more walks. Thanks for your videos. That mountain you hiked up, is it a tough climb?
Balcony House is not as difficult as it first appears. My dad and I did it when he was 70 and he had no issues. Also Cliff Palace is not too bad even though the ladder at the exit looked intimidating. I found that early June and mid-September were great times to visit; nice weather and small crowds. Been there at least 6 times and would gladly go back!
Don't know where you are from, but why would you not visit MV in winter. It is beautiful and the cold is much better than the summer heat down that way. Toughen up!
I specifically say it's because most of the park is closed in winter. Has nothing to do with the temperature. I live in Idaho. Gets way colder than Cortez.
The hike up the mountain was strangely exotic to me somehow! How do you feel about the amount of daylight for winter trips? Is it ok or does it feel like wasting a lot of time between sunset and bedtime?
There's definitely a lot of down time, but I wouldn't necessarily call it wasted. As long as you have something to do (books, audiobooks, videos, etc.), it's not bad.
Thanks for watching! Did you know I recently created an SUV RVing Facebook group? Here's the link: facebook.com/groups/suvrving
I camped in Mesa Verde two nights during late September 1994. I hiked all of the Anasazi ruins, fabulous sites, so interesting. These ancient ones certainly knew how to build structures that would last. Love the place.
Love the zoom in shots of the cliff dwellings!
Thanks Steve!
That actually looks like a good time to go. The snow was beautiful and you got to see the ruins without people. I went in September and it was so hot.
Sure, you get to see the ruins but you can't go to any of them. Pros and cons. Thanks for watching!
I was going to say this, I've been to MV a few times and its pretty impossible to get the shot of Cliff Palace that Tristan got at 5:58, a scan of the full facade with no people in the shot, under normal conditions. There's a constant flow of tours going through when its not winter. So you can't get up close and personal with the ruins, but you can get some photographs you can't get normally (and getting up close and personal with the ruins also means being in a giant tour group of people, so definite pros and cons)
Your channel has been an escape for me during this madness. Thank you for the hours of content!
Thanks for watching the hours of content 😁
Unique glimpse of the park w/snow...appreciate your doing the legwork for those of us who can no longer do the hiking thing.
Kivas...hot tubs of the time!
Lol thanks!
That's literally what I was wondering - if kiva's held water & were some sort of bath/hot tub/ or maybe just for water collection.
@@playhooky "Room used for spiritual ceremonies"...sounds like modern-day hot tub to me!
@@playhooky kivas originally had roofs.
I visited Mesa Verde in 2013. Driving in, point lookout seemed to dominate the views. The guided tours each have a separate charge ($3 back then) in addition to the park's entrance fee. I took the tour of Cliff Palace, since it's pretty much the most famous part of the park. Getting out requires climbing up three ladders. The Far View area, if I remember the info correctly, was built before the cliff dwellings. The natives lived on the mesas, but later descended into the canyons and built in the alcoves of the cliffs to get away from enemies. I saw Square Tower House when it was under restoration and had all that scaffolding around it. Thanks for showing it in its restored glory.
Yep, the cliff dwellings came after the mesa top ruins. Thanks for watching!
Have been to Mesa Verde three times now. The loop that you were talking about is 2 trails to choose from. There is a longer Trail which goes to the valley floor and it's a great track. Definitely take water and wear a hat.
I dont know why, but the camera tipping over always cracks me up!
I never even thought to go there in the winter! That was a cool video!
Thanks Karen! Yeah, the camera tipping over is just a fact of life at this point 😬
Favourite part was the thoughtful on-screen explanation of what fridge meant, presumably inserted for the younger viewers. 😀
You should gone to Bandelier half an hour south of Los Alamos NM. The rangers are super nice in winters.
They're 5 hours apart. That's like telling someone in Los Angeles they should visit San Francisco while they're in the area 😁
SUV RVing coffee ma friend. Who needs sleep when you got coffee and a car with a working heater. In case you still wondering south Utah see if you can get to wave and many places in coyote buttes on the AZ border line. Great videos. Thank you.
Was there in October in the early 90’s. Wonderful experience with everything accessible. It was crowded however. There is something great about visiting in the winter like you did. You can be more contemplative. After all, it does have a sacredness that is wonderful to experience.
Thanks for the memories, sir!
Thanks Kathleen!
Loved seeing the ancient dwellings in winter. Thank you !
Great video. Sometimes the winter is the best time to visit the parks. But would hate to miss the tours. Venture On :-)
Thanks Robert!
I used to go there as part of a fire crew every spring. We were doing a massive shaded fuel break around all the structures in that park. When they later had massive wildfires that ran through the park the fire dropped to the ground and protected the buildings and homes. Mesa Verde is always a cool place to go. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching, David 👍
We went this past August and it is truly a beautiful park. Driving through the burned out section is other worldly with the yellow and brown shades. Nice video.
Thanks Mike 👍
Looked very pretty. On my list. Passed it many times. Did you know that north out of Cortez is a place called Hovenweep? You would be able to camp on blm outside of the park. Inside is a very nice camp area and visitor center next to the ancient ruins in a small canyon. It's about 20 some odd miles in the middle of farm land and faces Sleeping Ute Mountain. Lots of hiking. Great place to video I think.
Yep, I've been to Hovenweep before. Thanks for watching!
I liked the moody light for a change of pace.
I live in Colorado and the first time I visited Mesa Verde was in the 1980s. You could still go Down into the ruins without a tour. It was a great experience. Few people around and you could sit and imagine what transpired back when. Thanks for the video as always.
Sounds like a great time! Thanks Don.
looks like a great time to visit! if you have been there before with the tours (great info) ! less peeps in this time of the year.. thanks pard. happy trails always...
Thanks for watching 👍
Been there a few times in the summer and a polar opposite as to crowds and weather. Guided tours are the future as they are trying to preserve these gems.
I visited the Cliff Dwellings near Silver City NM on New Years Day 2000. It was in the 30's outside with 6" of snow on ground on way in. We were the first footprints in the snow after the ranger made morning rounds. Up in the cliff dwellings it was 20 degrees hotter at mid-day with the winter sun shining on the rock face (that's one of the reasons why they built dwellings there - warmth in winter). Perfect for a picnic. We were the only visitors there and hung out for hours. There are perks to going off season in certain parks.
Nice video of the cliff dwellings! I bet they were more spectacular in person. !
Nice, I was just there in October... stayed at Walts World in Cortez... I did the park the next day... it was beautiful! It looks beautiful snow. Hope you enjoyed your time💜
Yep, I enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
When we visited in 2017, the Cliff Palace was close for restoration work so we took the Long House tour as an alternative. While not as well-preserved/restored as Cliff Palace, Long House is roughly comparable in size and the ruins are spectacularly impressive nonetheless. And the hike in and out is quite scenic as a bonus. Definitely recommend that if you have the opportunity.
Sounds like a great one to add to the list!
The cliff dwelling that you showed my husband and kids and I walked all over it in 85'. It was really cool to walk among the buildings and think about living there. What a shame that people can no longer go to them. I believe the round rooms where the ceremonial places. But don't go in the summer it was miserably hot when we were there. You brought back memories of my kids climbing around on the building up above. (not destructively)
Sounds like a great time!
My first visit was the first week of April after a weather report that there would be 2-3 inches of snow in Moab, 2-3 feet of snow in Bryce Canyon, where I was initially heading. So I went South, hit 6-8 inches going over mtns to Cortez. I hit a squally climbing to the tunnel going into Mesa Verde, went through the tunnel and the sun was out an beautiful, but 45 degrees. Got to remember you
at 7500 feet.
I had an interesting view looking DOWN at the 4th of July fireworks over Cortez, CO from Mesa Verde NP a few years ago. At 6 miles distant, the colorful fireworks appeared small and the muffled "boom" arrived about 35 seconds after the explosion. But what a beautiful vantage point. There is so much to see and do in the 'four corners' area.
Wow, that would have been really great to see
I am related by marriage to one of the early rangers of the park, Fred Jeep, who was there when it was it was established as a park in 1906. It was almost always a very seasonal place even back then. I know there was a tour of Cliff Palace in winter at one time. Even with the crowds in summer, it is awe-inspiring.
How cool. Thanks James 👍
I still remember visiting Mesa Verde years ago as a kid. Back then we could still roam through the ruins and I can recall walking through rooms and climbing down into kivas. One of the more vivid memories of vacationing in Colorado each year with my family. Now I live just a few hundred miles away but have not made it there again. However, it is on the list and I plan to go there probably in 2021.
You should definitely revisit. It's a great place. Thanks Bill!
Glad you did that last hike. Love the view up there. You can see the La Sal range on a clear day!
Yep, it was great! Thanks for watching.
I get the feeling that the "guided tour only" model may spread to other national parks in order to protect the historic resources.
Favorites: definitely the cliff dwellings, also the kivas in the grand building. Thanks for having me along!
Thanks for watching!
You mentioned skiing and snowshoes on the trails.
That would be cross country skis I presume?
I’ve never been to this park but it’s one on my bucket list.
I enjoyed your visit to the site with the spiral rock, and the overlooks of the other sites.
Nice footage.
Yes, cross country skiing. Thanks for watching!
It looks beautiful in the snow! I visited Mesa Verde kind of on a whim with my kids back in August. We only had a day but got to see quite a bit and even managed to get on the tour to see Cliff Palace.
Sounds like you guys had a great time. Thanks for watching!
‘Not a lot of people’. I certainly relate brother.
👍👍
Great to see the Cliff Palace, and wonder what it would have been like living there.
Pretty cool park! Adding it to my list of not-winter hikes! Thanks for sharing this.
If you're still hopping around the area, there's some fantastic dispersed camping/hiking past Newspaper Rock just outside canyonlands 1.5 hrs west. Did a loop including Mesa Verde and there last fall and it was fantastic
You throw some fancy Katsup in your fridge (cooler) so at least you could have something fancy.
That Point Lookout Trail gets a bit nasty in the switchbacks, but I enjoyed the view on a summer morning many years ago. Great video as always.
Thanks!
I enjoyed the dwelling views. You saw more than I did when I went through that area. I read that Native American numbers before 1492 is estimated at 60,000,000. I just can’t imagine they were that high. In 1920’s, the US has about 100,000,000
I went from Durango to Natural Bridges that same day.
You must have been one of the two cars I saw on the way.
Staying ahead of the tourists is more important than staying ahead of the weather.
Well said!
First and foremost great video. I was last there in the early 90’s with wife and two very young energetic boys. What I recall is crime. There were constant warnings of be aware. We didn’t stay long 😖. We loved Chaco and returned again and again.
Chaco is a great place too. I'd like to go there again. Thanks Mark!
My father and I went to Mesa Verde in the summer. We spent the night at Far View Lodge. I went outside under the moonlight and stood in the sage, I think it was, while a big owl made silent hunting passes back and forth around me at about eye level. It was a magical experience.
Sounds like it!
Love the cliff dwellings! Thank you!
What were you thinking? Mesa Verde is 8570 feet in elevation. That means winter snow and lots of it. I'm surprised there were any roads open. You do attempt some crazy adventures, even if they don't work out.
Most enjoyable - thank you. I’ve seen Mesa Verdi in tourist high season, with too many other people!
Great to see it in winter and to see just how much snow fall there is, which helps to explain how the Native Americans prospered in this (comparatively recent) arid climate.The snow is so much more effective than equivalent rainfall in recharging shallow aquifers, which then feed more or less year-round springs. (Apologies! The ancient hydro Geologist can’t help himself!)
Thanks Rod!
Just noticed my misspell; for “Verdi” read “Verde”.
Reminds me of the time I tried to learn Spanish; I knew just enough French and Italian to make a complete ‘dog’s breakfast ‘ of the whole exercise!
Was this on the same trip you did Hovenweep & Canyons of the Ancients? That video was terrific as was this one. It seems that you wind up in many of the places I have seen in 40 years of traveling out west. Hopefully I can get back to the area soon; I want to check out Butler wash and Comb ridge in Utah. Thanks, as always.
No, I visited those years ago. This trip was in January. The Comb Ridge/Butler Wash area is great! Definitely worth visiting.
I made it to the top of Comb Ridge once. Almost killed me but it was worth it.
Enjoyed the video. Went there a couple of years ago.. saw my first Gopher snake there...incredible place...
MVNP is my absolute fav of all the NPs I’ve been to, and I’ve been to a lot of them!
It's a great place, for sure! Thanks Debbi.
I was there last Sept. really loved it. Walking through Cliff Palace was on my bucket list. That road leading across the mesa, had me gripping the steering wheel. I can’t imagine driving it snow covered. ;)
It really wasn't bad
I drove by there last month on my way to Great Sand Dunes NP and really wanted to stop for a quick visit. Had to keep going though so I could beat a snow storm and get over Wolf Creek Pass before it got socked in.
Great Sand Dunes NP is one I haven't been to yet...
@@SUVRVing I liked it a lot. It was also great that I nearly had the place to myself. Spent a whole day there and only saw a few other people from a distance.
Beautiful Park! I haven't been to many parks out West, I live East Coast. I do enjoy your Videos. Thanks for Making them. I like the Cliff Dwellings. Happy Trails!
Thanks!
Thanks for info about shoes -- please tell us more about kinds of shoes for kinds of terrain.
Beautiful area. I like the "not many people" aspect.
I was in page Arizona for a few days about a month and a half maybe two months ago to ride my motorcycle to Monument valley and I seriously considered going to Cortez Colorado, but ended up turning around at Mexican hat. Beautiful trip but perhaps not going all the way to Cortez was a good idea.
My favorite thing is Mesa Verdi is the same as yours the Cliff Dwellings! ❤️😀🇺🇸🌏
Nice job shooting a very good video. Thanks.
Thanks Linda!
Since this is in my home state, it might be a cool adventure for me to go there.
Great video! As always.
I have been to cliff dwellings before in the 1960s mostly prior to their being micro-managed by Parks & Recreation. So, there were very few restrictions by management in those days and you could get right in there to look around. Also, in those days there were no museums, walkways or campgrounds and very few tourists even during the busiest season. I was mostly impressed by their size which you just can't appreciate from afar. After some exploration and study, I realized that life might have been quite secure and comfortable living like that...
There are still plenty of places off the beaten path to see cliff dwellings with no museums, walkways, or tours. Thanks for watching, Charlie
@@SUVRVing I have lived in Idaho all my life and like your wanderings. Thanks...
Another fun hike in the PJ.
Canyons of the ancients, flowery pueblos, hovenweep, sand canyon. All in Cortez, Dolores area.
Yep
LOL, great humor in the video. Boy, we keep saying we need to get down to that park.
You should definitely visit! It's a great place.
Nice thank you for sharing your adventures!
Thanks John!
Wow that was a 1st time seeing that I guess there is a lot of benefits for the winter it's not so hot not a lot of people but those Cliff dwelling are amazing I'm glad I ran into your channel because Definitely been put a lot of thought into exploring and I need some motivation and you have to be it sure So thanks for bringing us a long showing us the awesome part of the United States then it's right and all of our backyards I know you god bless be safe Godspeed. I am also going to check out your facebook page I could definitely use some new networking I just got a land rover 2002 and it's got low miles I wanna fix that LOL
Lol. Mesa Verde in the winter is awesome, but not recommended. We did it when I was a kid. Our trailer got blown around and we did not sleep. Lol
Mesa Verde is an amazing place to see.
Love it ! MV is very cool ! The (wild) horses can be hard to find.
One of my favorite parks, we were there last October, loved every bit of it.😍
It's a great place, for sure! Thanks Dawn
We were there in the summer. It was hot but beautiful!
Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
fave part the cliff shots 5:43
You need to go to Grand Mesa. Grand Mesa has a whole bunch of small natural lakes on top. Good place to fish. Yehaa! Vaughn
Not a good place for my kind of fishing in winter 😁
@@SUVRVing Ah yes, but summer is on it's way. 🐟🐠🌭🥩🌽🥤
We are headed to this park in January. All Mesa Verde videos are mostly from summer and fall; so this video was highly relevant to our upcoming trip. You have given us a clear idea of what to expect. Honestly, I will take the solitude over anything else. The point Lookout hike looks very interesting and likely something we will do. A question if you don't mind: Where were you camped? You mentioned a BLM site that seemed close by the park. Thanks!
I really enjoy your videos
Thanks Robin!
Amazing video! I loved the music you added in mid way....
Who was that? Safe travels
Next time check out Hovenweap. Nice gentle walk.
I've been there and made a video about it 👍
Coming down that road when snow covered? Brr. I am shivering and not from cold.
BTW, I saved a tarantula from being run over by a tour bus at Mesa Verde. One of my better moments.
You should maybe note the altitude as a guide go high in the Summer, low in the winter, same for latitude. Cliff Palace is the largest site.
I'm aware.
Loved the kiva with wood rails still in place! I missed that... gotta go back. Did you see the high curving bronze tribute sculpture at the park's entrance?
Yep, I did. It's hard to miss! Thanks for watching.
Tristan another great video, after all of your work in the snowy park you deserve a Pizza Hut Pepperoni pizza.
You may not be seeing comments on a video this old, but just in case: I am wondering if you've been to the Rattlesnake Canyon Arches trail in the Black Ridge Wilderness west of Grand Junction? It is a little bit north of Mesa Verde, but very well worth it if you're ever in the area.
Thanks for sharing all these experiences with the rest of us.
Have you ever been to Kofa National Wildlife Refuge?
Yep I have. I've camped there a couple times, hiked up the canyon with the palm trees, and hiked up the highest point there (Signal Peak).
SUV RVing by chance did you take any video?
Pretty much all guided tours and closures of most things occur during the October time till spring comes around. Was pretty bummed out when I went there and they stopped tours a few days prior
Yep, it's a bummer. Thanks for watching 👍
What have you done with the monolith?
i liked the solitude, the grey skies i'm use to i live in NE Ohio
Nice video. I enjoy them. Especially the kayaking.
How come your wife doesn't go with you all the time? Just curious...
Mesa Verde is certainly on the to-do list but definitely not in winter.
I think that's the right decision 😁
Just when you think you are the only one to discover an area, you find out that it has been lived on for at least 100 years.
Hmm I've never thought I've discovered an area. I think it's always safe to assume that someone was there before. Thanks for watching.
Thank you! This is great. Just curious about how you contact assistance if you have an emergency? I'm sure you have a plan.
I have a satellite messenger that I can use if I need to
Shoulda brought those snowshoes homie. Haha😜
😁
Thanks for another great video
The website on nps.gov and their tour-schedule easily indicades that there is not much access until spring (at least). There are parts of the park that are totally closed until may. Anyway. You took some great shots without people. I always wondered how the park looks in winter and how it is when there are no tourists around. Thanks for this clip.
Yep. I knew beforehand that most of the park was closed. Thanks for watching!
I am ashamed to say I was too chicken to climb the ladder into Balcony house. I really liked that park. Want to go back and camp there, and do some more walks. Thanks for your videos. That mountain you hiked up, is it a tough climb?
It's not an especially difficult climb of you're in good shape. Thanks for watching!
Balcony House is not as difficult as it first appears. My dad and I did it when he was 70 and he had no issues. Also Cliff Palace is not too bad even though the ladder at the exit looked intimidating. I found that early June and mid-September were great times to visit; nice weather and small crowds. Been there at least 6 times and would gladly go back!
@@superdave1949 Maybe I should have some courage and take a shot at it.
like it, even with snow
Don't know where you are from, but why would you not visit MV in winter. It is beautiful and the cold is much better than the summer heat down that way. Toughen up!
I specifically say it's because most of the park is closed in winter. Has nothing to do with the temperature. I live in Idaho. Gets way colder than Cortez.
Thanks! Very informative
The hike up the mountain was strangely exotic to me somehow! How do you feel about the amount of daylight for winter trips? Is it ok or does it feel like wasting a lot of time between sunset and bedtime?
There's definitely a lot of down time, but I wouldn't necessarily call it wasted. As long as you have something to do (books, audiobooks, videos, etc.), it's not bad.
My feet were cold the whole time u were hiking. Will they let u get closer to the dwelling in the summer?
Yes, there are ranger-led tours to many of the cliff dwellings in summer
a small correction. Great Houses are indicative of Chacoian culture, not Mesa Verde
The interpretive sign directly in front of it called it a great house.
Been there, done that in the winter of 1980.
👍
I thought you'd bought a fridge this past year. You haven't or just not using it on this trip?
I have a fridge now, but this trip was pre-fridge.