My biggest surprise upon entering Mesa Verde was that it was a 25 mile drive to the ruins! You start in the valley and drive a winding twisting road as you climb up the side of the mesa and finally emerge on the top. It’s another 20 miles as the road travels across the top of the mesa before you reach the loop that takes you around to all of the overlooks to see the cliff dwellings.

View of the valley and surrounding mountains.
The road winding across the top of the mesa.
Marker at the highest point in the park, 8572.3 feet
Navajo Canyon view
Square tower house
Mesa top ruins.
Mesa top ruins
I was surprised to see wild horses on the mesa.
Horse standing over her resting colt
In the valley there is a history in more recent times where tunnels, ditches, and flumes were used to manage limited water for farming needs.

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