The Chimney Rock Archaelogical Area is part of the San Juan National Forest and is located in Colorado between Durango and Pagosa Springs. Access is only allowed as part of an organized tour. These tours are conducted by some very knowledgeable rangers many times per day and are a great way to learn about the ruins.
The alignment of these two peaks has special significance and can be used as a 17 year calendar to coincide with the lunar cycle.
One of the many Kivas found at Chimney Rock. You can see the ventilation shaft that runs through the wall and then underground leading to the fire pit.
Another Kiva that is part of a much larger structure containing many rooms.
Did these guys like to stack rocks or what? That's my daughter wishing that dad would find somebody else to pose for the pictures.
Notice all the smoke from the fires of 1996. You can see many of the rooms in this cluster. It appears that there are many different era's of ruins at this site all separated by a few hundred yards or so.
Links to other web sites that contain information about Chimney Rock:
E-mail: ron@neartime.com