It's another National Monument with pueblo ruins - Hovenweep, again in the four corners region of southern Utah. Hovenweep is a deserted valley in Ute language. It was not until about 700 AD that people began to migrate into this area to live. They came in waves which precipitated building sprees. The last group to arrive was here about 1230 AD. And again, by 1300 they were gone.
There were several villages in this canyon near Cajon Mesa. Most are open to visitation but roads to them are marginal for many vehicles. Having already hiked up and down Sand Canyon, we opted for the easy 2 mile walk around the main village near the visitor center. Temperatures were in the triple digits again today.
Note the two styles of towers - square and round. These builders were quite talented.
The square tower above was located right at the spring of this canyon head, Its purpose is uncertain.
Driving back toward Cortex, we spotted a car parked alongside. On a whim, we stopped too and were rewarded with this rock of petroglyphs. Unfortunately, there was some modern graffiti and broken beer bottles also.
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