Walnut Canyon National Monument

Walnut Canyon, just a bit east of Flagstaff, was a "temporary home" to ancestral Hopi peoples.  The Canyon was occupied for only a hundred years or so -- the peoples built tiny rooms into the walls of the Walnut Canyon.  A couple of hundred people lived here & like many places was abandoned in the late 1300s.  Maybe they just moved on north?

This Monument features the Island Walk -- go down a 150+ feet via 200+ steps and then walk around "the island" of homes/dwellings.  Way amazing!!

We had an early start from Cottonwood -- I opened the blinds and WOW! a balloon headed my way!
Part of the Sedona tourism program.  But so lovely!

The Rim above Walnut Canyon is about 7000 feet -- so quite cold and harsh in winter.
The water in the creek below was seasonal--definitely worth the name Sinagua Peoples!
Make pots and stow water all year round??

Fine dwellings on the shady side!

Tall folks at a disadvantage!

Tiny door

spring

Look for several dwellings across the way --  experienced Indians could easily climb these walls!

Loving the color!