The Tonto National Monument is just down the road from our campsite at Roosevelt Lake. It protects two cliff dwellings. The lower cliff dwelling above is accessible by a paved walkway that switches back up from the visitor centre. The much larger upper cliff dwelling, below, can only be seen by a four-hour guided hike.
These guided tours are sold out but we were hoping for a cancellation so we put ourselves on the waiting list. While we waited we walked up to the lower cliff dwellings.
Here Leo chats wraith the ranger. She told us that though all the posted information refers to the Salado culture that lived here between 1250 and 1450 AD, now they think there were a variety of groups that lived here over the centuries.
Nice views from up here.
The whole walk up is through a lovely cactus garden.
I liked the southwest accents on this park bench.
When we visited here 6 years ago, the whole hillside was abloom. Not as dramatic this year, but still some lovely flowers.
Everyone showed up for the guided hike so we were out of luck. Lots of time for another hike of our own.
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