Southwest Solitude

Discover history and beauty in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.

- Kent And Charlene Krone

Canyons of the Ancients. The very name conjures visions of ghostly figures gazing from cliff dwellings in high, shady alcoves. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, located in Colorado’s Four Corners region, is an enchanting place to bring your equine partner and discover both history and beauty. We explored the area aboard our well-traveled Missouri Fox Trotter geldings, Cowboy and Nate.

Canyon Trails Ranch

Canyon Trails Ranch (canyontrailsranch.com) is located about a mile from the Canyons of the Ancients boundary, 15 miles southwest of Cortez. It offers an equine-friendly campground situated on a gentle rise overlooking an emerald field framed in the layered, sun-kissed cliffs of McElmo Canyon. Sagebrush, pinyon pine, and prickly pear cactus adorn the campground. Each campsite has water, electricity, and a corral. We stayed here four nights and had the entire four-unit campground to ourselves.

Ranch owners Kristie and Rodney Carriker are both horse people. Kristie specializes in cutting horses, while Rodney prefers horse packing. Rodney also restores historic carriages and wagons.

Kristie is an amateur archeologist and Native American historian. She’s worked with the Bureau of Land Management on cliff dwellings and generously shares her knowledge and enthusiasm for history with ranch guests.

The day after we arrived, Kristie took us on a six hour, guided horseback tour of BLM property aboard her horse Tonka. Half this time was spent riding, while the other half was spent exploring and learning about the ancient Puebloan people (also known as the Anasazi) who once inhabited this vast country. Overall, there are an estimated 1,400 ruins in this area.

A Glide Through Time