Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA

There are ten named overlooks in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona, USA. They are either right beside the road or along short trails; seven of Canyon de Chelly along the South Rim Drive and three of Canyon del Muerto along the North Rim Drive.

The first viewpoint is the Tunnel Overlook, a short, boulder-filled side canyon, which gives a partial view down to the main gorge. There are no ruins near this location.

We were surprised by the fact that it was such a green valley, despite the heat in summer.

The Tsegi Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA is another roadside overlook, not within sight of any ruins, but opposite a broad swathe of the ravine, including a long section of Chinle Wash and areas of adjacent farmland. About 3 kilometres of the gorge is visible upstream, as the sandstone walls gradually rise, towering 140 metres above the streamway. One named feature in view is Blade Rock, a long curving fin that projects from the North rim cliffs right to the edge of the wash. The Navajo home and farm in the canyon bottom below this overlook are used during warm weather. Horses and sheep usually graze in the canyon.

A magnificent overview at Junction Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. It is located along the South Rim Drive near Chinle, Arizona. A good panorama of the canyon is viewable from the overlook. The junction that can be seen from the overlook is the point where Canyon del Muerto (canyon of the dead) splits off from Chinle Wash. It seems that more often than not at Canyon de Chelly that you can see either a granary of cliffhouse in most every alcove. Here is one to be seen a little left of the middle.

Steep vertical rock walls at the Junction Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. It's a magnificent sight to see these massive rocks.

A rock settlement can be seen from the White House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. This village once housed more than a dozen families sitting in the canyon wall. White House Ruin was constructed in two sections: the cliff dwellings in the alcove and the masonry pueblo on the canyon floor. The Navajo call this site Kinii'ni gai or "white house in between", referring to the white plastered walls of the room built in the alcove. The multi-storied pueblo below was once high enough to provide access to the rooms in the alcove above.

An amazing overview of Canyon de Chelly from the White House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. The whole area is 344 square kilometres in size.

We were pretty high up admiring the valley from the White House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. Awesome cliffs and rock formations everywhere.

The tough living conditions in the valley can be seen from the White House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. The valley floor gets to have very high temperatures which makes living there practically imposssible.

Some shade is hard to find as can be seen from the White House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. For some shade people were dependent of overhanging cliffs or caves which is why most of the ruins are located there.

Great to be standing at the Sliding House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. The Sliding House Overlook is located along the South Rim Drive near Chinle, Arizona. The location is one of seven overlooks that are spread out along the south rim of the monument. This is one of the few sites where there weren't any Navajo vendors selling their crafts.

Such amazing rocks can be seen at the Sliding House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. It sure must have been a great place to live about a thousand years ago.

Another view from the Sliding House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. Not a lot of people live in the valley anymore because of the unbearable conditions. The lonely house down there proves that at least someones still does.

Remnants of civilization at the Sliding House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. Sliding House Ruin, located on the narrow ledge across the canyon, is aptly named. The sloping floor of the ledge was compensated for by the construction of retaining walls. Built by early Pueblo people, these walls were engineered to keep their home from sliding into the canyon.

Excellent view from the Sliding House Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. I wish I would have had the time to be doen there and walk those smooth rocks. Rock surfing anyone?

Another deserted settlement as seen from the Mummy Cave Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA.

The Mummy Cave complex looks like a miniature city clinging to the cliffs, 100 metres above the valley floor, opposite of the overlook. The cave was occupied until about 1300 when Puebloan life in Canyon de Chelly abruptly ended. A severe drought that began in the 1200's is thought to have led to its abandonment.

Great view from the Mummy Cave Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. This overlook shows the beautiful and historic cliff dwelling site of Mummy Cave.

Located on the North Rim Drive in Canyon de Chelly National Monument, this site contains an Anasazi cliff dwelling that was once occupied over a thousand years ago. This is one of the largest cliff dwelling sites preserved in the park.

A nice perspective view at the Mummy Cave Overlook in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, USA. It gives a great overview on the enormity of the canyon with respect to the actual Mummy Cave deep down under the cliff.