Walnut Canyon

In 1915, Walnut Canyon was declared a national monument. It is located about 10 miles southeast of Flagstaff. Sandie and I traveled there in the Summer of 2005.

2009-07-16T10:18:50Z

Steve Snedden
In 1915, Walnut Canyon was declared a national monument. It is located about 10 miles southeast of Flagstaff. Sandie and I traveled there in the Summer of 2005.

This is taken from the visitor's center. These overhanging cliffs were home to the Sinagua Indians more than 800 years ago. Sinagua is Spanish for "without water" and is a tribute to their a ...

2009-07-16T10:22:25Z

Steve Snedden
This is taken from the visitor's center. These overhanging cliffs were home to the Sinagua Indians more than 800 years ago. Sinagua is Spanish for "without water" and is a tribute to their a ...

The Sinagua first appeared in the rugged volcanic terrain sometime before 600 A.D..

2009-07-16T10:33:10Z

Steve Snedden
The Sinagua first appeared in the rugged volcanic terrain sometime before 600 A.D..

Although the trails are well maintained, it is difficult to imagine anybody choosing this area to settle. The canyon walls are so steep and scary.

2009-07-16T11:18:35Z

Steve Snedden
Although the trails are well maintained, it is difficult to imagine anybody choosing this area to settle. The canyon walls are so steep and scary.

Sandie spots the caves. We were actually able to go inside the cave dwellings.

2009-07-16T10:17:23Z

Steve Snedden
Sandie spots the caves. We were actually able to go inside the cave dwellings.

They lived in cliff dwellings, which were built in the natural recesses in the limestone walls. Over millions of years, flowing water eroded the softer rock layers, crating shallow caves.

2009-07-16T11:10:22Z

Steve Snedden
They lived in cliff dwellings, which were built in the natural recesses in the limestone walls. Over millions of years, flowing water eroded the softer rock layers, crating shallow caves.

To form the walls, builders gathered limestone rocks, shaped them roughly, then cemented them together with a gold-colored clay found in deposites elsewhere in the canyon.

2009-07-16T11:36:21Z

Steve Snedden
To form the walls, builders gathered limestone rocks, shaped them roughly, then cemented them together with a gold-colored clay found in deposites elsewhere in the canyon.

Wooden beams reinforced the doorways. Finally, the walls were plastered with clay inside and out.

2009-07-16T10:39:38Z

Steve Snedden
Wooden beams reinforced the doorways. Finally, the walls were plastered with clay inside and out.

There were no wall painting, etc but we were amazed to see the soot from their cooking fires still on the walls after hundreds of years.

2009-07-16T09:36:45Z

Steve Snedden
There were no wall painting, etc but we were amazed to see the soot from their cooking fires still on the walls after hundreds of years.

In the 1880s the railroad brought souvenir hunters to the ancient dwellings. Pothunters removed many Sinagual possessions, dynamiting some of the cliff-dwelling walls to allow in more light ...

2009-02-22T02:42:49Z

Steve Snedden
In the 1880s the railroad brought souvenir hunters to the ancient dwellings. Pothunters removed many Sinagual possessions, dynamiting some of the cliff-dwelling walls to allow in more light ...

Theft and destruction prompted local efforts to preserve the canyon and soon drew national support.

2009-06-04T08:51:50Z

Steve Snedden
Theft and destruction prompted local efforts to preserve the canyon and soon drew national support.

They must have been short. Sandie has to bend over to look through one of the doors.

2009-07-16T10:53:05Z

Steve Snedden
They must have been short. Sandie has to bend over to look through one of the doors.

Steve Snedden's photo

2009-07-16T10:13:09Z

Steve Snedden

Traveling the trail down and up the cliff walls was scarry. Here, I cling to a tree for support!

2009-07-16T10:47:09Z

Steve Snedden
Traveling the trail down and up the cliff walls was scarry. Here, I cling to a tree for support!

Steve Snedden's photo

2009-07-16T10:59:43Z

Steve Snedden

Steve Snedden's photo

2009-07-16T10:03:45Z

Steve Snedden

Across the canyon, we spot more homes.

2009-07-16T09:55:24Z

Steve Snedden
Across the canyon, we spot more homes.

We had a hard time seeing the bottom of the canyon.

2009-07-16T09:55:28Z

Steve Snedden
We had a hard time seeing the bottom of the canyon.

Steve Snedden's photo

2009-07-16T11:08:43Z

Steve Snedden