Chaco Culture National Historical Park

城市概覽

History The Chaco dwellings were built and occupied primarily between about 850 and 1250 AD, during which time they were the hub of a remarkable network of transportation routes, many of which survive today as the "roads" of Chaco. They fell into disuse after 1300, probably due to climate change, although descendants of the Chacoans and other tribes remained aware of the ancestral pueblos. The present park was one of the first units of the National Park System to be formed specifically to protect archaeological resources, being first formed as Chaco Canyon National Monument in 1907 (shortly after Mesa Verde National Park, which also started as a national monument rather than a park). The monument achieved national-park status in 1980 and Pueblo Bonito became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Landscape Chaco is in canyon/mesa country, like most of northwestern New Mexico, but the topography in the park isn't as spectacular as in some other areas of the state; the visitor center, in the canyon bottom, is at an elevation of about 6200 feet, and the surrounding mesas rise only about 400 feet above this level. The canyon is wide and open for most of its length, unlike the narrow "slot canyons" to the northwest in Utah. This, of course, is why there's a park here: the openness of the canyon provided enough room to build the pueblos and grow crops. Note that this elevation is high enough to challenge the lungs of the visitor freshly up from sea level. You may find yourself a bit short of breath when hiking, so if you're going to be there overnight, it's recommended that you do the "easy" trails along the main loop first to get acclimatized somewhat, then the longer, more vertical backcountry trails on your second day. Most of the rock comprising the mesas as well as the canyon floor is sedimentary, and consequently tends toward flat bedding planes that are interrupted by relatively few faults and folds. As a result, one of the hiking challenges is that the

如何抵達

Drive. The nearest city with air service is Farmington, about 60 miles north, which is served by a commuter airline (Mesa) that is a partner with United Airlines. The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque about 150 miles (240 km) southeast. There is no rail or bus service in this remote region.

From US 550: The National Park Service recommends the following route, which is possible - though slow - in a sedan or compact car. There is a turnoff to CR 7900 from US 550 about 3 miles southeast of Nageezi (mile 112.5). There is a gas station (as of 2020) within 0.5 miles of the turnoff. The route is well marked with signage - expect 8 miles of paved road (CR 7900 and a right turn onto CR 7950) and 13 miles of rough dirt road. Unless you're in an offroad-capable vehicle or SUV, avoid the sandy shoulders which can trap the tires of smaller cars. This route crosses a waterway that is normally dry but can be impassible in rainy conditions. From the south via Hwy 9: These 2 routes should only be considered by those driving high-clearance vehicles in dry conditions. The National Park Service website warns: "Not recommended for RVs." The "not recommended for RVs" comment doesn't do this road justice: if there has been recent precipitation, this is a hairy road to drive that may leave you stuck in a large mud puddle or high-centered on a bypass, in either case about 20 miles from help.

Hwy 9 to Pueblo Pintado: At Pueblo Pintado, turn north on Navajo 46 and follow for 10 miles. Turn left on CR 7900 for 7 miles then left on CR 7950 for the remaining 16 miles (13 unpaved and 3 paved). Hwy 9 to Hwy 57 (Hwy 14 on some maps): This turnoff is located 13 miles east of Hwy 371 at the former Seven Lakes Trading Post. The signs directing drivers to turn from Hwy 371 on Hwy 9 are reportedly missing. From I-40: Take Exit 53 at Thoreau and go north on NM 371 (aka Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway). Get off on road 57 (aka Navajo Service Road 9) at Crownpoint. Then be sure to exit left

當地交通

The main sites are reached via a short loop road that is suitable for bicycles as well as cars; in fact, it's quite a comfortable ride that gives a more intimate sense of the canyon than you'll get from a car. If you are biking, make sure your tires resist punctures, as all manner of plants with thorns and spines grow in the park. The short trails to the sites along the loop road can be visited in street shoes, but hiking boots are a good idea if you're planning on visiting any of the more remote areas described under "Do." Some but not all of the sites are wheelchair-accessible, as is one of the campsites at the park campground.

必看景點

While there is a visitor center with exhibits (open 9AM–5PM except major holidays), the park's trademark attraction is the collection of major ancestral pueblos along the loop road in the canyon bottom. Some can be seen from the car, but more rewarding is to follow the short, easy trails at each that lead to and through the pueblos. Pamphlets explain the important features of the sites. The site trails are open from sunrise to sunset; visiting with the sun near the horizon yields particularly appealing opportunities for photography.

體驗活動

Hike There are four trails leading to remote pueblos, all available for day use and closed after sundown. Probably the most interesting is the trail to Peñasco Blanco pueblo, which has become famous for a well-preserved pictograph thought by some to represent the great supernova of 1054. This pictograph is under a rock alcove below the main Peñasco Blanco structures. Please treat it respectfully; this is a rare find in the world of anthropology. This trail crosses a wash that can be dangerously full of water if there have been thunderstorms upstream. All trails require free permits available at the visitor center or the trailheads. Hiking boots are a good idea, and carry plenty of water. Off-trail hiking is generally not allowed.

Bike Bicycling is a good way to get around the main tourist loop, and in addition, there are two backcountry trails that offer mountain biking. Wijiji trail is shared with hikers and is a short (about 3 miles), easy ride that should take under an hour. A more serious undertaking is the ride to Kin Klizhin, an "outlier" site archaeologically related to the main canyon sites but well removed from the canyon itself. The ride to Kin Klizhin takes one southwest out of the canyon and into some very lonely country, and is about a 25-mile (40 km) round trip. Go well prepared with water, repair kit, etc.

Stargaze

The exceptionally dark night skies of Chaco provide good opportunities for amateur astronomers who bring their own telescopes, but even better, in 1998 the park opened its own observatory with a large (25") telescope and modern equipment that the visitor can share. During the summer there are interpretive programs by park staff, supplemented by members of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society who bring equipment, give lectures, etc. Information