Chaco Canyon
This must be our favourite place to visit to see Anasazi ruins. Most of the major ruins were well constructed and seem to be of a higher quality than elsewhere. It is thought that this was the centre of Anasazi religious culture but was not a major centre of settlement.
Pueblo Penasco Blanco
The hike to Penasco Blanco is long (about 7 miles round trip). Although much of the trail is level there are long sandy stretches which can be tiring. Take a side trip to see the petroglyph thought to be a representation of a nova. The hike to the ruins is well worth the effort. Once you arrive you will be rewarded by silence (very few people visit out of the main holiday season) and a spectacular view over the surrounding area. There are shards of pottery lying on the surface in places and most people respect the site and do not disturb them.
The walls that remain show dressed stone on the outer and inner faces and the space in between is roughly filled. The collapsed walls lie in situ since the site has not yet been excavated and perhaps may never be. The Hopi believe the Anasazi to be their ancestors and one of the main belief components is that things should be left to decay and be recycled naturally. If everything was preserved then the earth would fill up instead of continuous recycling allowing space for today.
