Overview

Hype:

Over 700 years ago, Little Ruin Canyon was the scene of a sizable ancestral Pueblo community. Sustained by a small spring at the head of the canyon and rainwater held behind check dams on the mesa top, they flourished in what we would consider a harsh environment.

Time:

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Features:

Structures, Ruins, Dwellings
Artifacts
Visitor Centers
Hiking Trails
Wildflowers and Vegitation
Road Access is Dirt - Low Clearance
Access Road is 2WD Accessible
Viewpoint, Overlooks, Vistas
Interpretive Signs

Links: https://www.nps.gov/hove/planyourvisit/squaretower.htm

Getting There

Navigate to 37.389712, -109.080025.

Location

Closest City or Region: Mesa Verde National Park

Coordinates: 37.389712, -109.080025

View larger map

July 5, 2019 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Killian Wagner,

Story

On Friday went headed over to Hovenweep National Monument. We stopped at Lowry Pueblo (part of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument) on the way. Then we dropped in at the Hovenweep National Monument Visitor Center. We were hoping to visit several of the different groups, but we didn't realize that the roads out to the different groups required high clearance, so we were in the van, which meant that we will have to visit the other groups on a different trip.

We were concerned that the kids wouldn't be up to a long hike, so Tara and the kids watched the video at the visitor center while Ondy and I hiked out to the Canyon Overlook and around the Square Tower Loop Trail. Tara also helped the kids with their Junior Ranger booklets and got lunch ready. After Ondy and I finished our hike, we met back up at the visitor center and ate lunch. The kids had to do a hike for their Junior Ranger program, so we all decided to hike out to the Canyon Overlook. Since the other Hovenweep groups required high clearance, we had plenty of time at the Square Tower Group, so we decided to do part of the Square Tower Loop Trail with the kids as well. Tara went around the full loop by herself while Ondy and I took the kids part way around the loop. We made it as far as the Stronghold House before we turned around. Then we all met back at the visitor center.

We bought a National Parks puzzle at the visitor center, then we went back to the hotel to swam and take it easy.