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Mesa Verde - Colorado
Descriptive:
Amid the heavy piņon and juniper forests, rest the ancient cliff dwellings of the Anasazi, a people with no recorded history. Set into the cliff's face, the walls and towers of their abandoned city mark the mysterious disappearance of an ancient people. This is the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

Vegetation:
Pinon pine
Juniper
Douglas fir
Ponderosa pine
Mountain mahogany
Scrub oak
Lilies
Indian paintbrush

Wildlife:
Rocky Mountain bighorn
Deer
Bobcat
Coyote
Fox
Lizards
Rattlesnake

Owls
Hawks
Woodpeckers

Key locations:
Balcony House, a 40 room dwelling, is built like a fortress and is highly defensible, accessed only by climbing a ladder, walking along a narrow ledge, then crawling through a narrow passageway.

From Square Tower House overlook, a dramatic view opens behind the Park's tallest structure: a four story building built against the cliff.
Cliff Palace overlook affords one a striking view of the ruins.

Activities:
Hiking is restricted due to preservation of the fragile ruins. A special permit must be obtained from the Ranger's station. Hiking is available in nearby Morfield Canyon.

Trails:
Petroglyph Point Trail