Volunteers at Chaco Cultural National Park: Kathy Gish, Kevin Balkier, Randy Park, Mary Croft, Ray Peale, Elisabeth Wheeler, Mike Wolters and Kent Naugle
Ray Peale
Between AD 850 and 1250 Chaco Canyon served as a major urban center of ancestral Pueblo culture. Remarkable for its monumental public and ceremonial buildings, engineering projects, astronomy, artistic achievements and distinctive architecture, Chaco served as a hub of ceremony, trade and administration for the prehistoric Four Corners area for 400 years – unlike anything before or since.
On Friday, May 13 seven SaddleBrooke Hiking Club volunteers ventured to New Mexico’s Chaco Canyon (or to be more precise: Chaco Culture National Historical Park) to assist in maintaining the park’s backcountry trails. During the three day excursion, volunteers utilized the amenities of the Volunteers in the Park campground which included showers, a six burner gas stove and three refrigerators. Tent camping was the norm for all volunteers. After preparing the campsite for the evening, some volunteers enjoyed an astronomy presentation at the park’s visitor center.
On Saturday coffee was ready by 6:30 a.m. followed by a hearty breakfast. Day packs were prepared and all volunteers were ready before 8:00 a.m. Carpooling was necessary to reach the Casa Rinconada parking area. (Casa Rinconada is the largest Kiva within Chaco). A short safety briefing was then conducted reviewing the proper carrying and use of Pulaski’s and McCloud’s (firefighting tools utilized for trail maintenance). The short Rinconada Trail was traversed to reach the trailhead of the South Mesa Trail which leads to a high point and the great house Tsin Kletzin. Spectacular views of the surrounding landscape were visible at the site. On this trail cairns were built or re-constructed and drainage problems were corrected. From Tsin Kletzin volunteers continued on the loop trail which descends into South Gap, follows the Chacoan South Roads and re-enters the canyon near Casa Rinconada.
During late afternoon the group explored another great house close to Casa Rinconada, Pueblo del Arroyo. Following dinner most volunteers attended a Park Service presentation on Astro-Archeology which discussed the connection between the alignment of Chaco buildings with the sun and moon.
On Sunday, after another satisfying group breakfast, volunteers were again ready with day packs before 8:00 a.m. Sunday’s goal was to reach the great house of Penasco Blanco (via the Penasco Blanco Trail). Penasco Blanco is the Canyon’s longest trail and includes the Petroglyph Trail which has views of numerous Pueblo and Navajo petroglyphs and historic inscriptions. The trail continues to the Supernova pictograph site and Penasco Blanco, an unexcavated great house with a unique oval design and a spectacular natural setting. Work included re-installing ropes which protect sensitive site areas. Late Sunday, volunteers got a chance to see the Park Service film describing the park and its meaning to Pueblo Indians.
Monday was a free day to explore the park. Group members chose the Pueblo Alto Trail to the North Mesa. The trail provides spectacular overlook views of the great houses Pueblo Bonito, Chetro Ketl and Kin Kletso before reaching Pueblo Alto and New Alto.
The trail passes by Chaco stairways, ramps and roads and affords panoramic views of the San Juan Basin. Late Monday also included a hike to the Canyon’s rim which featured views of Fajada Butte.
On Tuesday, May 17 the group traveled back to SaddleBrooke, but the good experiences were not over. When leaving the park they spotted fifteen elk at the bottom of Chaco Wash and a hawk who studied the departure of our vehicles from a fencepost. Overall, Chaco volunteers had a very productive, memorable and enjoyable experience.