Grand Canyon day one.

Canyon De Chelly National Monument

I had a great day touring the north and south rims of Canyon De Chelly National Monument.  The canyon is not in the same league as the Grand Canyon NP or even Bryce Canyon NP.  The rims are only 600 -700 feet above the floor of the canyon.  Still it is a beautiful place and not heavily visited by other tourists.  The floor of the canyon is still occupied and farmed by the Navajos.  The canyon floor is NOT part of the National Monument.  What is special about Canyon De Chelly is the cliff dwellings built by the ancient Anasazis who were the original farmers of this land.  Most of the overlook stop areas along the canyon have Navajos in the parking lots selling handmade jewelry etc.

A View of some safe rooms two-thirds the way up the canyon walls on the North Rim of Canyon De Chelly.  Archeologists believe that the Anasazis used them for the women and children if they were attacked while the men were away hunting.

A closeup photo of the same safe room cliff dwellings

A distance shot of some more Anasazi adobe ruins from the other side of Canyon De Chelly National Monument.

A closeup of the same adobe ruins shown above.

And even closer closeup photo of the same ruins.  Note the petrogylphs on the canyon wall below the adobe ruins.

Spider Rock in Canyon De Chelly is considered sacred by the Navajo.  It is named for Spider Women who the Navajo believe taught them how to weave.  They believe she lives on top of the spire.

While it is not visible from this view from the westernmost section of the canyon rim, it is obvious where the creek is.

Views of the canyon floor in the next two photos.

A series of three photos showing Anasazi adobe ruins at different levels of magnification.