MESA VERDE
Circular of General Information
1936 		NPS Logo

Rules and Regulations
[BRIEFED]

A COMPLETE copy of the rules and regulations for governing the park may be seen at the office of the superintendent.

Automobiles
Secure automobile permit, fee $1 per car. Speed limit 35 miles per hour on entrance highway, 20 miles per hour in headquarters area and on ruin roads. Drive carefully; free wheeling is prohibited within the park.

Fires
Confine fires to designated places. Extinguish completely before leaving camp, even for temporary absences. Do not guess your fire is out—KNOW IT.

Firewood
Use only the wood that is stacked and marked "firewood" near your campsite. By all means do not use your ax on any standing tree or strip bark from the junipers.

Grounds
Burn all combustible rubbish before leaving your camp. Do not throw papers, cans, or other refuse on the ground or over the canyon rim. Use the incinerators which are placed for this purpose.

Hiking
Do not venture away from the headquarters area unless accompanied by a guide or after first having secured permission from a duly authorized park officer.

Hunting
Hunting is prohibited within the park. This area is a sanctuary for all wildlife.

Noise
Be quiet in camp after others have gone to bed. Many people come here for rest.

Park Rangers
The rangers are here to help and advise you as well as to enforce regulations. When in doubt, ask a ranger.

Ruins and Structures
Do not mark, disturb, or injure in any way the ruins or any of the buildings, signs, or other properties within the park.

Trees, Flowers, and Animals
Do not carve initials upon or pull the bark from any logs or trees. Flowers may not be picked unless written permission is obtained from the superintendent or park naturalist. Do not harm or frighten any of the wild animals or birds within the park. We wish to protect them for your enjoyment.

Visitors
Register and secure permit at the park entrance. Between travel seasons, registration and permit are arranged for at park headquarters.



Events
OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
1st century1 B. C. or A. D. The earliest occupation of Cliff Palace cave was probably before, or immediately following, the beginning of the Christian era. These earliest occupants, known to scientists as Basket Makers, were the first agricultural Indians of the Southwest.
4th to 7th1 centuries A. D. By the beginning of the fourth century A. D., the early agriculturists were developing the art of pottery making. Later, their semisubterranean homes were spread widely over the Mesa Verde.
7th to 10th1 centuries A. D. During the three or four centuries preceding 1000 A. D., the Pueblo Culture on Mesa Verde was developing from modest beginning toward its classical stage, which culminated in the building of the great cliff dwelling.

1Approximate dating. Exact dating by the methods of tree-ring chronology are yet to be accomplished.
1066 Earliest date established for large Mesa Verde cliff dwellings. (Beam section from Mug House.)
1073-1273 Construction of Cliff Palace.
1276 Beginning of 23-year drought, an important factor in forcing the Cliff dwellers from the Mesa Verde.
1776 Expedition of Padre Silvestre Velez de Escalante to southwestern Colorado. Party camped at the base of the Mesa Verde.
1859 Ascent of the north escarpment of Mesa Verde by Capt. J. N. Macomb, of the United States Army, and members of his party of geologists.
1874 Discovery of the ruins in the Mancos Canyon by W. H. Jackson, United States Geological Survey. Party attacked by Ute Indians.
1888 Discovery of Cliff Palace and other major ruins by Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason.
1891 First organized archeological expedition to Mesa Verde, under direction of Baron G. Nordenskiöld.
1906 Mesa Verde National Park created June 29.
1907 Excavation of Spruce Tree House by Dr. J. Walter Fewkes, of Smithsonian Institution.
1909 Excavation of Cliff Palace.
1911 Excavation and repair of Balcony House by Jesse L. Nusbaum.
1913 First entrance road completed. First automobile in Spruce Tree Camp. Extension of park boundaries to include notable ruins and archeological remains.
1914 Construction of first wagon road from Spruce Tree Camp to principal cliff dwellings.
1915 Sun Temple excavated by Dr. Fewkes.
1916 Far View House excavated by Dr. Fewkes.
1917 First Government-constructed trails to Spring House and Soda Canyon.
1918 First camp accommodations established at Spruce Tree Camp.
1919 Square Tower House excavated.
1921 Establishment of superintendent's office and home at Spruce Tree Camp.
1925 First unit of park museum constructed from donated funds.
1926 Excavation of Step House Ruin and discovery of very early occupation of cave by Basket Maker III culture predating the cliff dwellers by several hundred years.
1928 Exclusive jurisdiction of park tendered to the United States and accepted by act of Congress April 25.
1934 Completion of deep water well (4,192 feet).

What to Do

THINGS TO SEE ON WAY FROM PARK ENTRANCE TO HEADQUARTERS

3.5 miles—Top of first grade—Mancos Valley and La Plata Mountains.

5.0 miles—Knife Edge Road—Montezuma Valley and Sleeping Ute Mountain.

10.5 miles—Scenic road to Park Point, highest elevation within Mesa Verde National Park, 8,575 feet above sea level; 2,200 feet above the Montezuma Valley. View into four States—Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah.

16.0 miles—Pueblo III ruins on top of mesa—Far View House Ruin, Pipe Shrine House Ruin, Far View Tower Ruin.

18.5 miles—Cedar Tree Tower Ruin—road branches off to left.

20.0 miles—Park headquarters. Park ranger will meet your car and give information.

THINGS TO DO WHILE ON THE MESA VERDE

MOTOR CARAVANS TO RUINS—DAILY. USE YOUR OWN CAR. NO CHARGE FOR GUIDE SERVICE

8 a. m.—Earth Lodge A, Square Tower House, Little Long House, Sun Point, Fire Temple, Sun Temple. Return 11:15 a. m. Distance 6-1/2 miles.

10 a. m.—A shortened trip of morning route to accommodate late comers. Return 11:15 a.m.

1:30 p. m.—Cliff Palace, Rim Drive, Balcony House. Return 4:15 p. m. Distance 7 miles.

3 p. m.—A shortened trip of the 1:30 route to accommodate late comers. Does not go through Cliff Palace but views this ruin from the top of the mesa. Return 4:30 p. m.

MOTOR CARAVAN TO PARK POINT—DAILY. USE YOUR OWN CAR

6:30 or 7 p. m.—Time of leaving will vary to arrive at Park Point to view colorful sunset. Ranger in charge will discuss the flora, geology, and scenic points. Distance 24 miles.

CAMPFIRE LECTURE—DAILY

8 p. m.—In circle at park headquarters. Archeological story of the Southwest.

9 p. m.—Ceremonial dance by Navajo Indians.

THINGS TO DO—NOT ON REGULAR SCHEDULE

Museum—Open from 8 a. m. to 5:30 p. m. A splendid collection of material from the cliff ruins and other sections of the Southwest.

Community building—A display of cut wild flowers. Porch with comfortable chairs. View of Spruce Tree Ruin. Open at all times.

Spruce Tree Ruin—Below park headquarters. May be visited at your leisure without guide. Ranger on duty in this ruin for information.

Nature trail—The path to Spruce Tree Ruin has been prepared with a series of signs explaining the flora and rock formations.

Horseback trips—Splendid trails lead in all directions. Large, unexcavated ruins, magnificent canyons and mesas off the beaten path unfold the charm of this primitive region. Rates are very reasonable.

Hikes—To any section of the park can be arranged for with the park naturalist. If sufficient numbers enroll for such hikes, a naturalist guide will be provided.

ACCOMMODATIONS

At park headquarters, 20 miles from entrance. Spruce Tree Lodge—Cabins, tents, and meals. General store and curios. Free Government camp ground. Firewood and water furnished.


<<< Previous <<< Contents>>> Next >>>

1936//sec1.htm
Last Updated: 20-Jun-2010