Astertiki,
where it can and may have been updated.
Album Home Guide to Canyon de Chelly Map No Story
This trek has been moved to
Astertiki,
where it can and may have been updated.
| Distance: | NA |
| Difficulty: | NA |
| Hike Time: | NA |
| Elevation: | 5570 ft at the Visitor Center |
| Season: | Year Round |
| USGS Maps: | Chinle, Del Muerto, Mummy Cave Ruins, Three Turkey Canyon, and Spider Rock |
| Directions: From: Flagstaff |
Take I-40 East for approximately 138 miles to the Chambers exit (333), Turn North on US 191 and drive 73 miles to Chinle. From Chinle, take Indian Road 7 East for approximately 3 miles to the Canyon de Chelly National Monument Visitor Center. |
Canyon de Chelly National Monument is centrally located within the Navajo Reservation and access to the bottom of the canyon is controlled by the Navajo Nation. Breaking with the National Park System tradition, there is no entrance fee for entering or camping in the Park. There are two public roads along the rim of the canyon which provide access to various overlooks, they are the North Rim Drive and the South Rim Drive. In addition, there is one public access hiking trail from the White House Ruin overlook down to the canyon bottom viewing area. With the exception of the rim roads and the single trail to White House Ruin, no hiking, camping or vehicle touring along the canyon bottom is allowed without an authorized Navajo guide. Fees are collected by the commercial tour operators and the authorized guides to access all other parts of the canyon bottom for closer viewing of the ruins.
According to our guide, the White House Ruin trial is 1.25 miles long and it descends 560 feet according to my TOPO map. The trail is rated as moderately strenuous and two or more hours should be allowed for the round trip. There is no water on the trail or at the ruins viewing area.
In the summertime, the canyon bottom is still inhabited by the Navajo people, who as a rule prefer not to have their picture taken. Ask for permission before shooting pictures that would include the Navajos, their homes or animals. Temperatures range from highs of 95 in July (lows of 46), to highs of 44 in December (lows of 19). August is normally the rainiest month (1.6 in.) and February is the snowiest (6 in.). Bring water plenty of water during the summer months and take care about lightening on the rim during the monsoon season. Considering the wide fluctuation of daily temperatures, it is advisable to dress in layers; the canyon can be chilly in the morning.
For visitors on a limited time budget, driving the rim roads to the various overlooks will provide an excellent introduction to the canyon. For visitors with time budgets of three hours to several days there are a variety of guide services available, running the gamut from touring in your own 4 wheel drive vehicle to the commercial tour operations. The bottom of the canyon can be toured on horseback, by vehicle or by hiking and camping.
For additional information, contact the Canyon de Chelly Visitor Center at 520-674-5500
Trekker