• This visitor center near Dolores, Colorado provided an excellent introduction to Mesa Verde and the Puebloans (formerly referred to as Anasazi).

• A view of Cliff Palace from the overlook. It is thought to be the largest cliff dwelling in North America.

• The ladder at the entrance to Cliff Palace

• For centuries, the Puebloans lived on and farmed the tops of the mesas. It was only in approximately the last century of their occupation of this area (~ AD 1200-1300) that they built and lived in the cliff dwellings.

• The reasons for the departure of the Puebloans and their ultimate destinations are the matter of much study and speculation.

• Cliff Palace

• Cliff Palace

• A kiva in Cliff Palace

• Cliff Palace

• Cliff Palace

• Interior of a room in Cliff Palace

• Cliff Palace

• Exiting Cliff Palace

• Balcony House is located in an alcove directly below where this photo was taken.

• The ladder entry to Balcony House

• Interior of a room in Balcony House

• Balcony House

• Balcony House

• Balcony House

• Balcony House

• Balcony House

• This ledge originally extended all the way to the left of this photo and provided access to the upper level rooms in this building. The openings are 'doors', not windows.

• Detail of ledge

• Balcony House

• A kiva in Balcony House

• Balcony House

• The three-point symbol in this reddish painting was common at Mesa Verde.

• Balcony House

• Balcony House - a floor drain?

• This is likely the entrance and exit used by the Balcony House Puebloans.

• Entrance/Exit

• Entrance/Exit

• A ladder served as the second part of the entrance/exit.

• Steps carved in the cliff wall served as the top part of the entrance/exit. The Puebloans didn't have the benefit of the chain and fence!

• Another tour member with our National Park Service Guide at the top of the cliff

• The view east from the cliff top above Balcony House. Some speculate that the three-point symbol represents the La Plata mountains in the background.

• Spruce Tree House is located in an alcove at the base of this cliff. On the top center of the ridge is evidence of the lightning-caused fires that burned through Mesa Verde in 2000.

• Spruce Tree House

• Spruce Tree House

• In Spruce Tree House

• Cliff Palace from across Cliff Canyon

• Cliff Palace from across Cliff Canyon

• Cliff Palace from across Cliff Canyon

• Cliff Palace, on the left, and the ladders that we used to exit the Palace following our tour are on the upper right

• The ladders that serve as the exit from the Cliff Palace

• The dimples in the center of the photo are footholds that the Puebloans used to climb in and out of the pueblo.

• Sun Temple

• At Sun Temple