Perhaps we are gluttons for punishment but I prefer to think we are just interested in detail. Guidebooks tell that we should allow 1.5 to 2 hours for each of these sites. They took us the entire day!
The only major disappointment was the Palatki ruins were open for the public to enter until the end of June of last year. A major fault has appeared in the wall behind the ruins. When the sun warms the rock a cracking sound can be heard. It's only a matter of time before it sheers off and crushes the ruins. Therefore they are now closed and can only be seen from the trail below.
Palatki is a Hopi word for "Red House".
Between A.D.1100 and A.D.1300 it is believed 50 people resided here. The cliff dwellings were two story with a granary on one end (on the far right in the photo).
The two white circles (pictographs) are sun symbols.
The trail leads from the cliff dwellings to rock art site nearly 1/2 mile away.
The ruins are behind us.
When the Hopi moved to the valley they planted an orchard with apple and pear trees which they irrigated. The apple tree was buzzing loudly with bees.
The rock art site is most likely separate from their living quarters because it was used for spiritual and ceremonial purposes.
I love how living plants can get a toehold and grow in seemingly impossible areas.
This overhang and others like it keep the elements off the rock art making it possible for them to continue to exist 800-900 years later.
Most of the fruit trees have yet to leaf out and blossom.
Can you see the round sun symbol?
A hummingbird feeder outside the visitor center was constantly busy when visitors weren't coming or going. The hummer on the left with the red head is a male Anna's.
Before I could get the camera ready there were 4 birds on the feeder or in the air by it. Of course when I was ready that didn't happen again.
Honanki through the trees from the trail. Honanki is a Hopi word for "Bear House".
Occupied in the same period, Honanki has 6 rooms. One log used in a doorway was tree ring dated with a firm date of 1271. Some rooms were as high as 3rd and 4th story. Here the rock art is a part of where they lived.
Here and below is the general area where the two sites are found.
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