Wupatki Ruins and Sunset Crater

10th May 2009

Wupatki National Monument wasn't a must see destination in my trip plan. I thought when I had some time between two important places I will check this out ... I exited Grand Canyon National Park from east side and drove down around 100 miles on Hwy 89 to Wupatki Ruins. Along the way it was amazing to see the changing landscapes of Arizona. Unimaginable ! At one place it is all red sand stone mesa, next few miles ashy boiling bubbles, or just red sand all around ...

To enter the National Monument I took a left on Scenic Hwy 545. It is around 39 miles on this scenic hwy which covers both Wupatki and Sunset Crater national monument before joining back to the Hwy 89 again. In Wupatki National Monument, there are three ruins which belong to three different tribes. Lomaki and Nalahiku seem to be smaller and there is hardly anything to see, but Wupatki pueblo is the largest and there is a $5 entrance fees.

When I was hiking at Lomaki ruins I saw a mountain boomer or common collared lizard. It was so sparking fluroscent green and was very swift. I was so exhausted of the heat in that place and my movements were very slow and since the lizard was startled by my presence it moved away in a second and vanished in the near by bush. No luck ... if it were 20 degrees less heat I would go behind it for a shot ... the heat was drying my fluids out and the energy along with it ... I returned feeling fortunate to have seen that colorful creature ...

Then I drove towards Nalahiku ruins. As I went around I saw the strong side winds. These are so unexpected ... I could sense it only with the sound it makes. 'chatt chatt chatt' ... all the bushes and trees on its way swayed at high force and a lot of sand and dust in the air ... rest of the place seemed still and unmoved. It was like an army of ghosts charging at something invisible ... I thought it would be nice to be inside the car than in an open place ... Not sure why did these tribes take all the pain of building something to live there ... such a harsh place with no water, no shade ... I can definitely understand the reason for them to abondon those pueblos and moving though :)

Made my way to the major attraction of the National Monument ... Wupatki pueblo ... surprisingly here there were no sidewinds ... in fact, there was nothing moving ... it felt like making the way through a block of hot dense still air ... after talking to a Ranger Officer at the Visitor Center I explored the ruins ... The booklet I picked up at visitor center explained the history and archeology of the place ...

I wondered the roads are so well maintained here ... and I saw many visitors ... In that unbearable heat people were discussing about the Hopi tribe and trying to understand and guess the reason why Hopi's might have left that big mansion ... I continued my journey towards Sunset Crater National Monument ... It is a protected area and hence we can only see the cinder from the bottom but, cannot hike up to see the crater. At one view point I saw painted dunes far way ... considering the direction, may be it was Painted Desert of New Mexico ... :)


All along the drive through this area I was blessed with the sight of Humphrey range. It is a view to behold. May be the Hopi tribe spent their days of despair watching this view. People who like history and appreciate archeology may like to visit Wupatki Ruins ... I like history and archeology but, sometimes I feel not so strongly ... if you are around this place then you can explore more ... driving 200 miles may not be ... well, this is just my opinion !


I was back on Hwy 89 now ... made my way up to Page ... after driving about 70 some miles ... the sky was becoming deep pink ... sign of setting Sun ... and when I glanced at my left ... I saw a Mustang ... may be there were few more as I could see light dust raising up ... I saw a lone brown mustang standing with the background of pinkish orange sky ... just like in fairy tales ... the tail lightly moving ... it was wonderful ... as if a wish come true ... It was Hwy and I could not stop for a picture ... but the picture of it is caught in the camera of my eye and is saved in my brain forever ... and so I would never forget this trip to Wupatki Ruins ...