11-27-05

Walnut Canyon is a place full of Native American ruins. It was amazing to walk around and climb through the tiny doorways and into the small shelters protected of the 30 degree weather. These are cliff dwellings and it was very nerve-racking to get anywhere near the sharp drop to the Canyon floor.

Walnut Canyon was the home of the Sinagua, who occupied these rooms nearly 800 years ago. There is no trace of the Sinagua after about 1400. Some of them may have joined the Hopi, who live to the north and east of Walnut Canyon. The Hopi recognize the ruined Sinagua homes as their own.