Overview

Hype:

Cave Towers is a very late Ancestral Puebloan archaeological site that dates to the middle of the 13th Century A.D. It is one of the latest Ancestral Puebloan sites in San Juan County. As the map at right shows, it consists primarily of seven masonry structures built around the canyon head. At least some of these structures are believed to have been towers, while others were likely above-ground kivas. This arrangement intuitively appears to be in defense of a natural spring coming out of the rock below the masonry structures. But what do you think? Is there some other reason this site was built here, and with this layout? While you're at it, try and imagine what the structures looked like when they were newly built and being lived in. Picture a small community of people living in the structures; smell their cooking and warming fires, hear them talking and see them going about their daily tasks.

Trail Condition: Class 2 (Trail may have tree roots or rocks jutting out. Navigation skills may consist of following rock cairns and choosing turns at junctions. Elevation gains may be more substantial.)

Time: 1 hour

Length: 0.25 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: Negligible

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

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Aug

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Oct

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Dec

Getting There

Navigate to 37.527587, -109.732948.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Cedar Mesa, Utah

Coordinates: 37.527587, -109.732948

Interactive Guide Map

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June 30, 2019 Trip Report

By Tara Dye

Trip Members

Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye, Anthony Dye, Arianne Dye, Miller Dye, Ondylyn Wagner, Killian Wagner,

Story

It was really hot, so we just walked out to the towers on the west end and looked at the ruins in the northeast cliffs.

Pictures