Page 2 of 2 - History of the First Ancestral Puebloans at Mesa Verde and the Cliff Dwellers

The two RV Gypsies did NOT get to go to the Step House. They were told it was quite strenuous and a very steep trail, and it was already too late in the day to complete the hike. They were disappointed.

Below: The two RV Gypsies on the trail to Pueblo Village.

Pithouses were the first permanent dwellings at Mesa Verde. Previously, the people were semi-nomadic, hunting deer and small animals and gathering wild seeds, berries, and pinyon nuts. Permanent houses and cultivated fields gave them time to develop pottery, formal ceremonies, and architectural skills that eventually led to elaborate pueblo villages.

Two Raven House

Back on the tram for a ride to the Kodak House Overlook and a quick view of the cave dwellings. The tram driver said this was the last tour of the Mesa Top Loop and the Kodak House for this season, but the rest of the Mesa Verde National Park would remain open all year. Again, because the park would soon close for the day, the two RV Gypsies only got to see the Kodak House from an overlook. The Kodak House is the major highlight of this park, but it is a long strenuous tour, costs extra, and there are ladders to climb as you will see in the photos below.

The trail from the tram to the overlook took less than a minute to walk. The two photos shown below are side paths off the trail to the overlook. They are part of the original horse trails.

Below: Wild horses at Mesa Verde National Park

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