This morning we joined a Ranger led tour of the Hungo Pavi ruin where we learned that Chaco Culture buildings are always located on a high point with a view of a sacred landmark, such as Fajada Butte and the walls are built with a stone veneer over a rubble core. The style of the stone veneer indicates when the pueblo was built. The pueblos were three to four stories high with a large kiva in the front. We saw many unnatural looking humps near the cliff bases that are actually ruins.
Excited to see petroglyphs after the lecture last night, we returned to the Pueblo Arroyo parking lot to hike up the petroglyph trail towards the Peñasco Blanco ruin.
Crossing Chaco Creek with its sheer dirt banks was a bit challenging. From the creek we saw the Peñasco Blanco ruins outlined against the sky and continued to climb up to them. We ate our lunch at the ruins while enjoying the stunning view of the entire Chaco area.
An elk standing in the twilight, a beautiful sunset and a yummy dinner provided a perfect ending to the day.
