Visit to Canyon De Chelly - Part 3

After we got to Junction Area (known for the wide area where the two canyons come together), we headed south towards the famous White House Ruins and to Spider Rock.  Have to say I liked the south canyon better.  A small creek flowed through the canyon - we crossed it 18 times - and there were so many more livestock.  Wild turkeys were too numerous to count, saw a number of mule deer, and lots more hawks flying overhead.  And - it was much colder.  We were deeper and by the time we got to Spider Rock - the walls were now over 700 feet tall, the deepest of the Canyon.

Sheer cliffs of sandstone 

At White House Ruins

Ruins in the opening and below, blends in so well

An arch - ruins below in the cave

Seems there were more homesteads on the south side also.  2 times we passed hikers, with a Navajo guide and we asked where did they come from?  DJ explained they came in from Bat Canyon, beyond Spider Rock, and hiked to White House Ruins where they climbed back out!  WOWOWOW.

Face Rock to the left, Spider Rock to right

Face Rock Ruins

Face Rock

Spider Rock almost in the shadows

Face Rock also in the shadow

Stopped at each of the ruins, DJ explained what we were looking at, who lived there, and then we came to the big centerpiece - Spider Rock.  Does not look like a spider.  The story goes - there was a woman who lived at the base of the rock who was a spinner and weaver.  Her designs were mainly of spiders.  She was a recluse, and DJ said that she was nicknamed the Spider Woman.  She would take bad misbehaving children to the top of the rock, eat them, leaving the bones at the top for the vultures.  DJ said that his parents warned him that if he acted up, they would take him to the Spider Woman who would then eat him.  DJ said that this warning did the purpose - he was so scared of the Spider Woman.  Sorta like my childhood with the Boogy Man who would come in the night to get us.
Scared us too!

Its a really deep canyon

Got to Spider Rock, the sun was dropping and most of the rock was in a shadow.  That was okay - we knew we would be visiting the next day from on top of the rim to get some good shots.  We turned around after a quick break, headed back to the lodge and pulled into the parking lot at 5:30pm.  Frozen.  Was about 45 degrees.

Follow the dirt road - you will see a white vehicle coming around

Spider Rock from the top of the rim, and in full sun

Sat on the bench and was looking at Spider Rock

Mummy Ruins from the overlook

White House Ruins from the overlook

See the vehicle?

Saturday we took the car and drove along the rims of both canyons after stopping at the visitor's center, first went along the North Canyon, then stopping back at the Lodge and packed a lunch, then followed the South Rim to Spider Rock, taking in the ruins we saw from the canyon floor the day before.  Sunday we drove home.  The significant part about our drive home - when we got into ShowLow we thought there was another wild fire - so much smoke.  Found out it was a controlled burn but stink big time!

Lots of smoke in ShowLow