Chimney Rock National Monument offers monthly programs, annual events and guided tours that are fun and educational for the whole family, including the following upcoming events. (For a full schedule of events, visit the Chimney Rock website.)
Art at the Pinnacles, Aug. 8, 20 and 28
Art at the Pinnacles is a weekly class offered at various locations within the monument. Each week a different class will be taught. Choices will be beginning watercolor, beginning pastels or pencil drawing basics. Most classes will be held at 8am. Drawing classes will be held at 5pm. Our teachers are Lise Neer and Kathie Disner, professional local artists, and Denise Fisk, former school art teacher.
Check-in is at the Colo. 151 entrance gate. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time.
Tickets are $25 for ages 10 and up. Making a reservation through the Recreation.gov website or the call center, (877) 444-6777, is the only way to guarantee a spot for this class. Recreation.gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.
Plein Air Workshop, Aug. 17
The Plein Air Workshop is offered once a month on a Saturday. In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the process of “plein air” painting — the act of painting outdoors to capture the spirit and essence of a landscape by incorporating natural light, color and movement — in essence, learning to capture the outdoors while outdoors — and, of course, featuring the scenic vistas at Chimney Rock National Monument. The first session will begin with a demonstration covering the use of materials, either watercolor or pastel, or both, and tips for composition and technique in the outdoors. This initial study/painting will be used as a reference for a more complete painting later in the day, which will be held indoors at a location in downtown Pagosa Springs.
All materials are provided. No experience is necessary. All levels of ability are welcome. Bring a lunch/ snacks/drink as appropriate.
Check-in is at the Colo. 151 entrance gate. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time.
Tickets are $75 for ages 10 and up. Making a reservation through the Recreation.gov website or the call center is the only way to guarantee a spot for this class. Recreation.gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.
Birding at Chimney Rock, Aug. 10 and 23
This tour is offered on select Friday and Saturday mornings from 8 to 10am in the quiet off-hours of the monument. This fun and casual two-hour bird walk is led by a knowledgeable birding guide from the Weminuche Audubon Society. These outings will introduce you to the diverse community of birds that spend their summer at Chimney Rock National Monument. Your guide will help you identify various species and explain the unique adaptations that allow these birds to survive here. Birders of all skill levels are welcome to participate. This tour is not recommended for young children.
Participants will be walking slowly on uneven terrain in the lower area of Chimney Rock; thus, no archaeological sites will be included on this tour. Good walking shoes are advised, along with plenty of water and sun protection. Also, bring those binoculars.
Check-in is at the Colo. 151 entrance gate. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time.
Tickets are $20 for ages 13 and up, and $10 for ages 5-12. Making a reservation through the Recreation.gov website or the call center is the only way to guarantee a spot for this class. Recreation.gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.
Flute Music at Twilight, Aug. 17
The Flute Music at Twilight program is offered on select Saturday evenings from 6 to 8pm. during quiet off-hours of the monument. It begins from the amphitheater with a relaxing 1/4-mile walk up the nature trail, providing visitors with an experience of the natural environment along with beautiful views of the two pinnacles. Upon returning to the amphitheater, the program resumes with an informative lecture on topics specific to Chimney Rock such as the Ancestral Puebloan culture, archaeoastronomy theories, the major lunar standstill, geology, etc.
As dusk progresses and stars begin to appear, you will be treated to the haunting melodies of a Native American flute played by our own Charles Martinez. Visitors will gaze in wonder at the heavenly skies and ponder what significance they had for the Ancestral Puebloans when they looked up at the same night skies 1,000 years ago.
This is recommended for ages 4 and up.
Check-in is at the Colo. 151 entrance gate. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time.
Tickets are $20 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 5-12, and under 5 are free. Making a reservation through the Recreation.gov website or the call center is the only way to guarantee a spot for this program. Recreation. gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.
Full Moon Program
The Full Moon Program is offered once a month to coincide with the full moon and provide a unique backdrop in a sky unhindered by the lights of modern-day civilization. About an hour before moonrise, visitors will be treated to an informative lecture on topics specific to the Chimney Rock site — Ancestral Puebloan culture, archaeoastronomy theories, area geology, etc. Then, as the full moon begins to rise, a single flute note follows another and another as you become slowly embraced by the music of Martinez. You’ll be torn between looking west to see the spectacular sunset or focusing on the eastern mountain range to see the first sliver of moon.
The entire program lasts approximately three hours including check- in, driving to the mesa top and hiking the Great House Trail. At the end of the trail, visitors will enjoy a 360-d gree panoramic view from atop the mesa ridge. They will also be afforded the closest view possible of the two pinnacles: Chimney Rock and Companion Rock.
Please keep in mind that the lecture before the moonrise is approximately 30 minutes in length, and the hike back down the high mesa occurs after dark. The hike up to the Chacoan Great House Pueblo may be difficult for some due to the steep gradient, uneven footing, and elevation ending at 7,600 feet. The elevation gain is 200 feet. Participants should be in reasonable physical condition and willing to hike mostly uphill for 1/3 mile (and return steeply downhill). This program is not suitable for children under 8, and parents are asked to closely supervise their attending children for the safety of all attendees. Water, flashlights and a blanket or mat for ground seating (no chairs) are recommended.
Check-in is at the Colo. 151 entrance gate. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time.
Tickets are $25 per person. Making a reservation through the Recreation. gov website or the call center is the only way to guarantee a spot for this program. This program often sells out; reservations are strongly recommended. Recreation.gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.
Chimney Rock covers seven square miles and preserves 200 ancient homes and ceremonial buildings, some of which have been excavated for viewing and exploration: a Great Kiva, a Pit House, a Multi-Family Dwelling, and a Chacoan-style Great House Pueblo. Chimney Rock is the highest in elevation of all the Chacoan sites, at about 7,000 feet above sea level.
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