As the San Juan River winds through the Four Corners area of the American Southwest, it slices through millions of years of geologic history and thousands of years of human history. From Archaic hunter-gatherers to ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) farmers and, more recently, the Ute and Navajo Indians, the inhabitants of this extraordinary landscape have left their indelible mark.

In this educational outdoor adventure, discover ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) cliff dwellings, enigmatic rock art, and other evidence of the myriad peoples who have lived along the river corridor over the centuries.

Three days are spent floating the San Juan River and hiking its tributaries; two days are devoted to exploring sites on nearby Cedar Mesa. Includes two nights of camping.

Discover well-preserved remains of ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings, shrines, fortifications, and roads

Learn the distinctive rock art styles of the Archaic, ancestral Pueblo, Navajo, and Ute peoples

Discuss how the ancestral Pueblo Indians made a living in such a harsh and unpredictable environment—and why they migrated from the region in the late A.D. 1200s

Investigate the impact of the "Chaco phenomenon" on Pueblo Indians living in southeastern Utah in the eleventh and twelfth centuries

Scholars

Dr. William D. (Bill) Lipe, former Crow Canyon director of research, past president of the Society for American Archaeology, and current trustee of the Crow Canyon board, is an internationally recognized figure in archaeology. Professor emeritus at Washington State University, Bill has conducted research in southeastern Utah for decades and has taught archaeology to several generations of graduate students. He is a favorite Crow Canyon scholar and trip leader and has led many backcountry programs over the years.

Sally Cole is a professional research archaeologist and expert in Southwestern rock art. She has published a number of articles on Southwestern cultures, as well as the book Legacy on Stone: Rock Art of the Colorado Plateau and Four Corners Region. Sally has explored the Four Corners area like few others, revisiting favorite rock art panels and discovering new ones. In addition, she has conducted multiyear research projects with Earthwatch Institute, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service at Mesa Verde National Park.

Summary Itinerary

A detailed itinerary is available in the program brochure (PDF). Itinerary subject to change.

Sunday, May 22
Arrival in Cortez, Colorado, for dinner and introductions. Lodging at the Holiday Inn Express in Cortez (D)

Monday, May 23
Southeast Utah: Hike to ancestral Pueblo sites in Arch Canyon, Butler Wash, and Mule Canyon; view the Sand Island Petroglyph site. Lodging at the Recapture Lodge in Bluff. (B, L, D)

Tuesday, May 24–Thursday, May 26
Float the San Juan River from Sand Island to Mexican Hat. Daily hikes: Big Kachina Panel, Moki Steps, River House Ruin, Chinle Wash, and Desecration (Axe-Man) Petroglyph. Camp Tuesday and Wednesday nights; lodging at the Recapture Lodge in Bluff on Thursday night. (B, L, D)

Friday, May 27
Cedar Mesa, Utah: Et Al and Fortified Mesa sites. Return to Cortez, Colorado, for farewell dinner; lodging at the Holiday Inn Express. (B, L, D)

Saturday, May 28
Departure from Cortez. (B)

B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

 

 

The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's programs and admission practices are open to applicants of any race, color, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, or sexual orientation.

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California
CST 2059347-50

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