Arizona

CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT
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Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona

	Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Shay after the Navajo word, Tseyi, which means rock canyon), is located within the Navajo reservation and managed jointly by the Navajo Nation and the Park Service.  It also is a non-fee area that is still inhabited, as well as used for religious ceremonies by the Navajo and Hopi cultures.  Specifically, the canyon floor is still farmed during the spring and summer, while its residents move to the canyon rim during the late fall and winter months.  Ceremonially, the “White House” ruins, built into the canyon walls just above the canyon floor, are still used for ceremonial purposes.

	The Monument is divided into the North and South Rim, of which we only had the opportunity to explore the South side.  The drive along that rim affords seven lookouts which provide breathtaking views of the agrarian canyon floor, as well as several ruins, currently occupied Hogans, or octagonal log and adobe homes, and the geological strata of the canyon walls themselves.  The walls are a brilliant layering of four distinct colors and geological periods.  The bottom layer is the Supai Formation, which is maroon colored sandstone, siltstone and mudstone dating back about 280 million years.  Above this is De Shelly Sandstone, which is about 250 million years old, and a layer of Shinarump Sandstone, which is 200 million year old grayish-brown layer, which makes up most of the walls and contains sandstone, quartz, basalt, chert, quartzite, and petrified wood.  Finally, the uppermost section is the Chinle Formation, which is essentially a heavily eroded example of what is seen in the Painted Dessert.  

	Finally, in terms of geology, the seventh overlook, Spider Rock, is a must see.  At the base of the 1000 foot canyon walls, Spider Rock (actually two tower like rocks) rise up 800 feet.  Navajo culture tells of Spider Woman, who taught Navajo women to weave, and who lives atop the rock.  Across the way is Face Rock, who informs Spider Woman of the identities of naughty children.  Spider Woman then carries those children to the top of spider rock as punishment.  Definitely more effective than Catholic or Jewish guilt!

	From the White House lookout we hiked about 2.5 miles round trip down to the canyon floor and the White House ruins.  FYI, this is the only trail in the park which may be traveled without a guide.  The hike is a must for both the geological views, as well as for the culture.  Along the route we passed the aforementioned farmlands, Hogans, and horse pastures, which are still in use.  As for White House itself, the ruins are awe inspiring.  This 60-80 room village, which was built between 30 and 50 feet above the canyon floor was at its apex about 800 years ago, and housed a dozen families.  While not as well preserved or defined as the ruins at Mesa Verde, the White House is nonetheless beautiful, and worth experiencing.
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