Hiking Cottonwood Trail 120

Three days in a row we hiked and to finish our hiking experience this last weekend we hiked 4.65 miles and ventured a 911 feet elevation gain. We were on a trail and and merged onto the forest service road. The road was super steep at some parts that even going back down was tricky.

It was chilly so Jason were his leather jacket. He probably never thought he'd wear a leather jacket on a hike but it was the only one he had.

This picture showed part of the road we conquered with a great view of Roosevelt Lake. 

 We saw a cave that made us wish we had binoculars.

These cows were frightened by us and were going uphill to scramble away.

Jason and I enjoyed our hike. We were thankful for jackets since it was cold outside and by the time we were near done it started raining. We were so thankful it didn't start raining while we had to far to go.

Tonto National Monument: Lower and Upper Cliff Dwellings

Lower Cliff Dwellings. A short half mile hike to see them.

 You can see on the ceilings of the dwellings you can see the black from their fires from 700 years ago.

A larger room with an amphitheater.

On the right is a fire pit.

Just a pretty view of Roosevelt Lake.

 The Lower Cliff Dwellings have Park Ranger stationed there at all times while open. The one that was there was very friendly and answered all our questions and talked about the history.

My good looking husband.

This picture is from the parking lot. 

This is a model of the Lower Cliff Dwellings in the museum/visitor center.

The Upper Cliff Dwellings

A spectacular view of Roosevelt Lake.

 Most of the dwelling is protected from the mountain but this part is not. So it is being worked on. It has a temporary buttress holding up the wall. The tour guide said she misses getting to go into the rooms that are now roped off. Hopefully someday you can view that side.

A large room for gathering.

This is the remnants of a ceiling.

The tour guide said this was maybe was a way to hold water.

A Javelina bone.

The Mexican Poppy was showing off their beauty.

Jason and I learned a lot and had a good time exploring the Lower and Upper Cliff Dwellings. With the Lower Cliff Dwelling you walk up at your own pace. It is a short but steep hike up to view the dwelling. 

The Upper Cliff Dwelling was led by a guided tour and the only way you can hike up to see it. It was neat with a hike that was a little over 500 FT elevation gain. It's good for people that hike on a regular basis. Jason and I liked it but wish we didn't have to stop many times. The tour guide stopped many times to talk about plants and cactus or to let others catch up. On the way down we were able to go at our own pace and that was nice.

We definitely will tour them both again when we bring our daughters. We enjoyed learning the history of the people that lived in the dwellings.