Mesa Verde National Park Trip-Planning Services Available at Colorado Welcome Center

A full range of trip-planning services including tickets for ranger-guided cliff dwelling tours and bus tours are now available at the Colorado Welcome Center (CWC) at 928 East Main Street in Cortez. The CWC is currently open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It will be open daily for extended hours from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from May 22 through September 7.

Tickets are available now for Balcony House tours at Mesa Verde National Park. Tickets for Long House and Cliff Palace tours will also be available for purchase when these sites open for tours on May 22. Tours are $4.00 per person, per tour;purchase your tickets up to two days in advance at the CWC or at the park's Visitor and Research Center (VRC) located just off Highway 160 at the park entrance.

While at the CWC you can also reserve space on Aramark's "700 Years" four-hour bus tours of Mesa Verde National Park. In addition, the CWC offers a broad selection of information, maps and publications about the park as well as the many recreational opportunities and visitor services available throughout the Four Corners region. Knowledgeable local residents staff the CWC's Mesa Verde Park Store and the Welcome Center information desk. Cliff dwelling tour ticket sales have been sold at the CWC seasonally since 2010 as a convenience for visitors and local residents. The CWC also offers ample car, RV and bus parking and large, clean restrooms.

Mesa Verde National Park is able to offer tour ticket sales at the CWC through the assistance of its nonprofit park partner, the Mesa Verde Museum Association (MVMA). MVMA inspires life-long stewardship of the Mesa Verde region's cultural and natural heritage. Through MVMA's operation of park bookstores, free or low-cost seminars, workshops, and special programs, visitors of all ages gain a new, behind-the-scenes understanding of Mesa Verde. Proceeds from all association programs support Mesa Verde National Park.

Additional Colorado Welcome Center information may be obtained by calling 970-564-0780. Additional information on visiting Mesa Verde may be obtained by visiting the park's Plan Your Visit webpage or by calling the park's main information line at 970-529-4465.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
Grand Teton Hiking
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Major Changes at Wetherill Mesa in Summer 2015

Visiting Wetherill Mesa in 2015 will involve a different set of opportunities than in years past, according to Mesa Verde National Park Superintendent Cliff Spencer. "One of the things we've heard from visitors many times is that they would like more opportunities to explore on their own, and more hiking opportunities," he said. "When we learned that changes in contracting law make it impractical to run the free tram on Wetherill Mesa next summer, it seemed like that could be a good place to try to offer some new options," he said.

Although park staff is still working out many details, the plan involves three major changes:

1) In spring and fall, the Wetherill Mesa road will be opened for day-use when the weather permits, and the 6-mile tram road, now called the "Long House Loop" will be open for hiking and bicycle riding. The alcove sites will be closed until summer, but other existing hiking trails will be open for hiking.

2) In summer, there will be no tram service. "Long House Loop" (the old tram road) will be open for hiking and bicycle riding during the day. Ranger-guided tours of Step House will be offered several times per day. Step House includes evidence of habitation from Basketmaker as well as Pueblo eras and tells a more comprehensive story of Ancestral Pueblo habitation at Mesa Verde than most alcove sites. Long House will be open for self-guided visits. Rangers will be present to answer questions.

3) A bicycle rental concession may be available for daily bike rentals on Wetherill Mesa.

"The autumn 'Wetherill Mesa Hike and Bike' events have been really popular in the past few years," said Spencer. "We're using that model to develop a similar experience for our summer visitors."

Details will be posted on the park website as they become available. Or you can call 970-529-4465 for up-to-date information.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

2014 Yucca House Tour Tickets Now Available

Mesa Verde National Park is offering 2 ranger-guided tours of Yucca House National Monument in September. Tickets for these special hikes are limited and must be purchased online at Recreation.gov.

Yucca House is a large, unexcavated pueblo which was probably built around AD 1200. Tours are scheduled on Wednesday, September 10th, and Friday, September 19th. This easy to moderate 1-hour, 1/2-mile walk is along a mostly level, unpaved path. Tickets cost $5 per person, and group size is limited. For reservations or more information, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.

Mesa Verde National Park offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 550 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects almost 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde National Park Releases 2014 Fall Backcountry Hike Schedule

Mesa Verde National Park is again offering backcountry experiences this fall. These ranger-guided hikes include a 4-hour hike into Upper Navajo Canyon, and a 4-hour hike on Wetherill Mesa. Basics of each hike are listed below, with detailed information online. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online at recreation.gov or at 1-877-444-6777.

Wetherill Mesa Experience is a 4-mile, 4-hour easy-to-moderate hike which rewards hikers with expansive canyon views, spectacular views of cliff dwellings, and the natural beauty of Wetherill Mesa in the autumn. This is a good introduction to the story of the Ancestral Pueblo people, the environment in which they lived, and the ecology of the pinyon-juniper woodlands. Bring binoculars for cross-canyon views of multiple cliff dwellings. This hike is available from September 2 to October 3 on Tuesday and Friday mornings. Each hike is limited to 14 participants and costs $18.00 per person. Get details online when you purchase your tickets.

Upper Navajo Canyon is a 4-mile, 4-hour round-trip moderate hike along an unpaved, uneven trail that descends 760 feet. Hikers will enjoy the autumn weather and fall color on this historic trail built in the 1930s by one of the government's Depression era organizations, the Public Works Administration. Bring binoculars for cross-canyon views of multiple alcove sites, including Pinkley House and an un-named alcove site. You will experience two different natural communities as you descend from the drier mesa top pinyon-juniper woodlands to the mountain chaparral in the canyon bottom. This hike is available from September 3 to October 5 on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Each hike is limited to 14 participants, and costs $18.00 per person. Get details online when you purchase your tickets.

Mesa Verde National Park offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects almost 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.

For reservations and more information, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde National Park Announces Special Hikes and Tours for 2014

Mesa Verde National Park is again offering a series of unique ranger-guided educational experiences in 2014. Tickets for these special hikes are limited and must be purchased online at recreation.gov.

Ranger-guided hikes and programs include a half-day hike into Upper Navajo Canyon, a 2-hour hike to Mug House, a half-day hike on Wetherill Mesa, and four tours of Yucca House National Monument. In addition, tickets for Twilight Tours of Cliff Palace, which feature a historical figure from the past, and a new Photography Tour at Cliff Palace will be offered on-line. Check the website for more detailed descriptions of each program.

Mug House:

Named for three mugs tied together with yucca rope found hanging inside one of its rooms, Mug House was built over several decades in the A.D. 1100s and 1200s and likely supported a population of 80 to 100 people. This strenuous 2-hour, 3-mile (4.8km) round-trip hike follows an unpaved, uneven trail that descends 100 feet (30m), and includes steep drop-offs, switchbacks, and scrambling up and down boulders. Mug House is available from May 27, 2014 to August 30, 2014 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Tickets cost $25 per person, and group size is limited to 10 people per hike.

Yucca House National Monument:

Four ranger-guided tours to Yucca House National Monument are offered this year. Yucca House is a large, unexcavated pueblo which was probably built around AD1200. Tours are scheduled on Wednesday, May 14 and Friday, May 16, and on Wednesday, September 10, and Friday, September 19. This easy to moderate 1-hour, 1/2-mile (0.8 km) walk is along a mostly level, unpaved path.Tickets cost$5 per person, and group size is limited.

Upper Navajo Canyon:

Enjoy the autumn weather and fall color as you hike this historic trail, built in the 1930s by the Public Works Administration. Hikers will view Pinkley House and other small alcove sites and experience two natural communities as they descend from the drier mesa top to the mountain chaparral in the canyon bottom. This moderate 4-hour, ~4-mile (6.4km) round-trip hike is along an unpaved, uneven trail that descends 760 feet (232 m) into upper Navajo Canyon, with steep drop-offs and switchbacks. This hike is offered Wednesdays and Sundays, from September 3 to October 5, 2014. Tickets are $18 per person, all ages. Group size is limited to 14 people.

Wetherill Mesa Experience:

Expansive canyon views, spectacular glimpses of cliff dwellings, and Wetherill Mesa in the autumn will reward hikers on this moderate 4-hour, 4-mile (6.4-km) round-trip hike. This moderate half-day hike follows an old fire road and an unpaved trail that crosses Wetherill Mesa. This hike is offered Tuesdays and Fridays, September 2 to October 3, 2014. Tickets are $18 per person, all ages, and group size is limited to 14 people.

Twilight Tours of Cliff Palace:

Twilight Tours offer a historical perspective on Cliff Palace and Mesa Verde National Park. Costumed interpreters introduce visitors to famous characters from the past. Twilight Tours are scheduled on Sunday through Thursday evenings from May 25 through September 4. Tickets cost $12 per person.

Photography Tour in Cliff Palace:

Photographers, here is an opportunity to spend 90 minutes in Cliff Palace with a park ranger in a small group setting. Dramatic sunset lighting will appeal to both amateur and professional photographers as well as those seeking a deeper connection with this extraordinary archeological treasure. The tours are offered on Friday and Saturday evenings from May 23 to September 6. Tours are limited to 10 people. Tickets are $20 per person.

Mesa Verde National Park offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 550 to A.D. 1300. Today, the park protects almost 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.

For reservations or more information, visit www.recreation.gov or call 1-877-444-6777.



Jeff
Rocky Mountain Hiking Trails

Mesa Verde Offers Free Winter Plant Identification Hike

Join the San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society on a winter plant identification hike at Mesa Verde National Park on Saturday, March 1st, beginning at 9 a.m. The guided hike is free, but advance reservations are required. This hike is recommended for high school age to adult.

Participants will meet at the Morefield Village gas station, and then explore the hillsides around the Morefield Campground, learning how to identify plants in the winter months. Be prepared to be outdoors for 2–3 hours with extra layers of clothing, water, and snacks. There is a limit of 15 adults and children. If needed, snowshoes will be provided, or you may bring your own.

To make a reservation and for more information on the hike, please call Al Schneider with the San Juan Four Corners Native Plant Society at 970-882-4647.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde National Park Winter Festival Cancelled

Due to the extreme lack of snow this winter, Mesa Verde National Park is canceling its Winter Festival. With little to no snow in the forecast and almost no snow on the ground in Morefield Canyon, all activities on February 8th and 15th have been canceled.

Should snow conditions in the park improve, rangers plan to groom the trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The park thanks everyone for their support and interest, and hopes for a better season next winter.



Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde to Continue Current Course of Action for Trespassing Livestock

In January, 2013, the National Park Service invited public comment regarding a proposal to develop a management plan specific to controlling unclaimed trespass livestock in Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. In recent years, trespassing livestock includes between 100-150 horses and 10-20 cattle in and on the border of the park. The purpose of such a plan would have been to address the various issues trespassing livestock have on the park's natural and cultural resources.

The comment period ran from January 17, 2013 through February 28, 2013. About 3,500 comment letters were received by the park, most of which were form letters. The Park carefully evaluated the comments and has determined that the current course of action best accomplishes park goals while minimizing impacts to park resources.

Therefore, the Park will not pursue development of a specific management plan for trespassing livestock, but instead will concentrate on implementing existing measures utilizing available resources to address trespassing livestock in the following ways:

1. Physically exclude trespass livestock from entering the park using the most appropriate wildlife-friendly fencing designs available to us beginning in the highest priority areas.

2. Create passage ways in the park's boundary fence that allow trespass livestock already in the park to leave the park on their own but not return.

3. Deter trespass livestock already in the park from accessing natural and man-made (artificial) water sources in the park using wildlife-friendly physical barriers.

4. Capture and relocate in the park any trespass livestock that pose an imminent threat to public safety or park resources.

The Park also will continue providing information to the visiting public about the resource impacts and safety hazards posed by trespass livestock in the park.

For more information contact Paul Morey, Wildlife Biologist, at (970) 529-4617.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Search for Missing Man in Mesa Verde Scaled Back

The search for Mitchell Stehling, which has been underway since last Sunday, has been scaled back due to lack of clues and new information. On Friday, the trail where Stehling was last seen and nearby canyons were again searched. Rangers used the park's helicopter to search the canyons and mesas of the park while ground-based teams thoroughly searched nearby canyons and trails. The saturation of this area by searchers, dog teams, a helicopter, and horse patrol provided a great deal of coverage, but resulted in no clues.

On Saturday search managers had planned to scale back to a continuous, but limited mode in which a small team of rangers will continue to focus their search in the areas where Mr. Stehling was last seen. Flyers with Mr. Stehling's picture and description remain posted throughout the park. Visitors who hiked the Petroglyph Trail on Sunday, June 9 and/or Monday, June 10 are asked to call Mesa Verde National Park law enforcement at 970-529-4422.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Search for Missing Hiker in Mesa Verde National Park

Rangers and other emergency services personnel are conducting a search and rescue operation for a 52-year old Texas man that was reported missing Sunday, June 9. Mitchell Stehling told his wife and parents he was going to visit Spruce Tree House. When he did not return, they notified Park Dispatch. A hasty search of Spruce Canyon, Spruce Tree House, Petroglyph Trail and other trails on Chapin Mesa was initiated following the report. Crews were out early Monday morning expanding the search area on foot, by horseback and by helicopter. Two dog teams from Dolores Canine Search and Rescue are also assisting in the search. Approximately 30 people searched multiple trails and canyons until late evening.

Crews resumed their search this morning. They were being joined by 20 members of the San Juan National Forest Hot Shots bringing the total number of personnel involved to 50.

Temperatures in the park are in the 90s. The terrain consists of steep canyons and mesa tops at an elevation between 6,500 and 8,000 feet. Mr. Stehling was last seen wearing a brown shirt and hat, khaki shorts and hiking boots. He was not carrying any water or other gear. If you've seen this man, please call park dispatch at 970-529-4622.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Fall Photography Multi-Day Workshop in Mesa Verde National Park

Every year thousands of visitors snap photos of the spectacular, world-famous Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park. To help you capture the best light and perspective of these remarkable structures in either digital or film cameras, the nonprofit Mesa Verde Museum Association is offering a special fall three-day photography workshop led by well known photographer and Northern Arizona University Professor Emeritus Dr. Gene Balzer.

The workshop is scheduled for October 11-13, 2013, and is limited to 13 participants to ensure plenty of personalized coaching. It begins at noon on Friday and ends on Sunday afternoon. Tuition includes three days of instruction, two nights in-park motel lodging at the Far View Lodge, and all meals including two dinners at the famed Metate Room Restaurant. For further information and registration, visit the Mesa Verde Museum Association website at www.mesaverde.org and click on "Institute," or call 800-305-6053.

Workshop participants will come away with once-in-a-lifetime images of several of Mesa Verde's stunning cliff dwellings. Participants will visit sites around the park at times designed to capture ideal lighting conditions, and will work on compositional skills for compelling images. The group will visit some archeological sites at hours when they're closed to the general public, and will also visit Mug House, a beautiful cliff dwelling that is not normally open for visitors. Pacing will be leisurely so everyone gains as much as possible from their experience.

Since 2006, the non-profit Mesa Verde Museum Association has offered visitors a variety of in-depth learning experiences in Mesa Verde National Park. Through free or low-cost seminars, workshops, lectures, and special programs, visitors of all ages gain a new, behind-the-scenes understanding of Mesa Verde and the Four Corners. Proceeds from all association programs support Mesa Verde National Park.

For further information including photographic equipment needs and rates, or to register, visit the Mesa Verde Museum Association website at www.mesaverde.org and click on "Institute," or call 800-305-6053.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center Grand Opening Ceremony

Mesa Verde National Park cordially invites the public to join the Honorable John Hickenlooper, Governor of the State of Colorado and local dignitaries in a Grand Opening Ceremony for its new Visitor and Research Center (VRC). The ceremony will take place on May 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at the VRC, located just off Highway 160 before the park entrance stations. Governor Hickenlooper will be signing Senate Bill 13-270, Wildfire Preparedness and Emergency Response Funds at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The 23,620 square foot VRC consists of two components: a 16,256 square foot Research and Collection Facility and a 7,364 square foot visitor information center. The VRC houses the park's collection of over 3,000,000 artifacts as well as its archives. The archive and collection areas will be open to the public for viewing on Thursday, May 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Friday, May 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Monday, May 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Other events taking place over the Memorial Day Weekend include:

* May 24 Concert by Four Corners Community Band, 7:00 p.m., Morefield Amphitheater

* May 25 Indian Arts and Culture Festival, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., VRC

* May 25 Rug Auction, 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Morefield Campground Store Patio

* May 25 Pueblo Indian Dances, 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., VRC

* May 26 Indian Arts and Culture Festival, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., VRC

* May 26 Pueblo Indian Dances, 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., VRC

The VRC received the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the Council's highest rating for sustainable buildings.

Entrance fees to the park will be waived to help celebrate the occasion. Everyone is invited to enjoy a free visit in the park that day. Come join the celebration on Thursday, May 23 beginning at 10:00 a.m. For additional information call 970-529-4465.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Special Ranger-led Hikes to be offered in Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde National Park is expanding the number of backcountry ranger-led hikes being offered to the public. Mesa Verde will be offering visitors opportunities this year to learn more about the park through special hikes and tours. These hikes include a 2-hour hike to Oak Tree House, half-day hikes to Wetherill Mesa and Upper Navajo Canyon, an all-day hike to Spring House:


Oak Tree House

Oak Tree House is a 60-room site built on two ledges, and is one of the largest cliff dwellings in the park. It's a well-preserved but fragile site that features plastered walls and varied architectural styles. In addition to close up views of this site, you will have stunning views of Cliff Canyon, Cliff Palace, and Sun Temple. Group size is limited to 10 people. This hike will be offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, May 28 to September 7.


Spring House

As you hike to Spring House, you will be rewarded with views of alcove sites in Navajo and Wickiup Canyons. With 86 rooms and seven kivas, Spring House is the largest unexcavated cliff dwelling in the park. It's extremely fragile, so you will not enter the site, but will get excellent views of the cliff dwelling from a platform at the south end of the village. Group size is limited to 10 people. The Spring House Hike will be offered on Sundays and Wednesdays, May 26 to June 5, 2013, and September 1 to October 6.


Upper Navajo Canyon

Enjoy the autumn weather and fall color as you hike this historic trail, built in the 1930s by the Public Works Administration. You will view Pinkley House and other small alcove sites, and experience two natural communities as you descend from the drier mesa top to the mountain chaparral in the canyon bottom. Group size for this hike is limited to 14 people, and will be offered on Thursdays and Saturdays, from September 5 to October 5, 2013.


Wetherill Mesa Experience

Expansive canyon views, spectacular glimpses of cliff dwellings, and Wetherill Mesa in the autumn will reward hikers on this moderate 4-hour, 4-mile round-trip hike. You'll be introduced to the story of the Ancestral Pueblo people, the environment in which they lived, and the ecology of the pinyon-juniper woodland. Hikers will follow an old fire road and an unpaved trail that crosses Wetherill Mesa. Group size for this hike is limited to 14 people, and will be offered on Tuesdays and Fridays, September 6 to October 4, 2013

Tickets for each of these special hikes are limited, and can be purchased online at www.recreation.gov, or by phoning the call center at 1-877-444-6777. For more information on each of these hikes, please click here.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center Receives LEED Platinum Rating

The new Mesa Verde National Park Visitor and Research Center (VRC) has received the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the Council's highest rating for sustainable buildings. The 23,620 sf VRC consists of two components: a 16,256 sf Research and Collection Facility and a 7,364 sf visitor information center. The VRC houses the park's collection of over 3,000,000 artifacts as well as its archives. It also offers an orientation to the park for visitors, has a tour ticket sales area, an exhibit area and a bookstore run by the Mesa Verde Museum Association. The visitor information center was completed in November, 2012 and opened to the public in December 2012. A grand opening celebration is planned for May 23, 2013.

"Mesa Verde National Park is proud to have obtained this rating which is in keeping with the mission of the National Park Service (NPS) to preserve and protect," said Cliff Spencer, Park Superintendent. "It also answers the NPS Call to Action, an initiative to prepare the NPS for a second century of stewardships and engagement."

This project addresses the "Going Green" action item by reducing the Mesa Verde National Park carbon footprint through the use of renewable energy sources, and action item "Out with the Old" by installing interpretive media that offers interactive experiences and are accessible to all members of the public.

Many stakeholders & partners came together to create this high-performance sustainable building that demonstrates the use of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, recycling, and environmentally preferable materials. The on-site renewable energy systems are capable of providing 95 percent of the building energy requirements. The building includes many sustainability features such as improved building envelope, reduced lighting power requirements, advanced lighting controls, high-efficiency HVAC system, and on-site renewable energy systems (i.e. solar water heating, hydroelectric power from a micro-hydro turbine, and photovoltaics). Together with the other integrated sustainable features, LEED Platinum certification was achieved for the VRC.

In addition, all of the regularly occupied spaces within the facility have day lighting and most have access to outdoor views.

This $14.3 million construction project was funded through NPS Line Item Construction Funds and managed by the Denver Service Center, the NPS centralized office for planning, design and construction services. The Mesa Verde Foundation, the park's friends group, donated 37.5 acres of land for the building site.

This facility replaces the Far View Visitor Center and 'tin shed' which did not meet rigorous standards for museum artifacts and was in a high fire danger area as well. The Far View Visitor Center is currently closed to the public and will be used for other park purposes.

The VRC is located at the park's entrance just off Highway 160 approximately 8 miles west of Mancos, Colorado and 9 miles east of Cortez, Colorado.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance approaches. The Green Building Council is a Washington, D.C. - based nonprofit committed to achieving a sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings.

According to the council, buildings are responsible for 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, 40 percent of energy consumption and 13 percent of water consumption nationwide. Greater building efficiency can meet 85 percent of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building could generate 2.5 million American jobs, according to council estimates.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Ranger-guided Tour Tickets to be Sold at New Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center

Tickets for ranger-guided tours of the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park will be sold at the park's new Visitor and Research Center beginning April 7, announced Superintendent Cliff Spencer. "We hope everyone will make the new facility their first stop," he said. The building is located just off US Highway 160 at the park entrance and is currently open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Effective April 7, the facility will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and tickets may also be purchased at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez. Extended summer hours begin on May 24, 2013.

The Far View Visitor Center, located at milepost 15 on the park road, is now closed to the public. All visitors should stop at the new Visitor and Research Center as they enter the park to obtain park information and purchase tickets for the ranger-guided tours.

Ranger-guided tours of Cliff Palace begin on April 7, with tours offered hourly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On April 21, Balcony House opens to the public for four tours daily, offered at 9:30 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Student-oriented tours of Balcony House for school groups are available by reservation: call 970-529-5079 for information. Wetherill Mesa and Long House open for the season on Friday, May 24, 2013; tour tickets are required for Long House. Spruce Tree House is open daily with no tour ticket required. For more information on the park interpretive program schedule, visit the Operating Hours & Seasons page, or contact the park directly at 970-529-4465.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Mesa Verde National Park Winter Fun Festival

Mesa Verde National Park is inviting the public to participate in the first ever, all ages, three-mile Nordic Fun Race on the Meadow Bliss Trail on Saturday, February 23rd. Classic skiers and skate skiers are welcome. Come out and enjoy some lighthearted competition in the Morefield Campground area. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. and the race will begin at 11:00 a.m. There will be random prize drawings with prizes donated by the Mesa Verde Museum Association, Slavens Hardware, and Osprey Packs.

During and after the race, join a park ranger for a hands-on primitive skills demonstration including: bow drill fire starting, atlatl usage, and yucca cord making. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase during and after the race.

This is also a great opportunity to explore Mesa Verde's Morefield Campground and Meadow Bliss Trails in the moonlight. Trails will be open for self-guided skiing or snowshoeing from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Bring a hot or cold dish for an ongoing potluck dinner throughout the evening. Outlets will be available to plug in your crockpots. Complimentary hot beverages and cookies will also be provided.

Parking for the events will be at the winter activities parking lot in the Morefield Campground Village, just four miles past the park's entrance station.

A limited number of adult and child snowshoes will be available for checkout during the events. Activities are subject to cancellation due to weather or road conditions. Please call 970-529-4461 for more information.


Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com