The Archuleta Board of County Commissioners issued a proclamation yesterday, August 20, celebrating the non-profit Chimney Rock Interpretive Association formed in 2004 to expand public events, education, and interpretive programs at the Chimney Rock National Monument. Thew Proclamation reads, in part:
WHEREAS, the Association’s mission is devoted to providing our community, youth, visitors, and volunteers a meaningful connection with the Chimney Rock National Monument by creating enjoyable, educational, interpretive programs that connect our modern lives to those of the ancestral Puebloans; and,
WHEREAS, the Association’s vision is to inspire people to experience Chimney Rock’s unique beauty, history, and cultural importance; and,
WHEREAS, the Association’s programming includes special tours for visitors interested in birds, geology, archaeology, astronomy, the art of this special area and the flowers that grow in the National Monument. In the Spring and Fall, the Association offers all the area schools the opportunity to visit the National Monument free of charge for a tour of the ancient Puebloan structures and several craft activities related to the lives of these people; and,
WHEREAS, this is a special year for Chimney Rock as once every 18.6 years there is a Major Lunar Standstill where the moon appears to rise between the two majestic pinnacle rocks of Chimney Rock. This special event will take place September 23 & 24, 2024.
THEREFORE, Be It Resolved that the Archuleta Board of County Commissioners hereby recognize the dedicated volunteers of Chimney Rock Interpretive Association and applaud their outstanding work in enhancing visitors’ experiences at the Chimney Rock National Park.
Chimney Rock offers monthly programs, annual events and guided tours that are fun and educational for the whole family. Some of the remaining August events announced for Chimney Rock National Monument are listed below. Registration is required 12 hours in advance at
www.chimneyrockco.org for all programs.
Art at the Pinnacles: August 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.
Birding at Chimney Rock: August 23
This tour is offered 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.
Geology Tour: Mornings, August 24 and 31
This 2.5-hour guided tour explores the local geology and its relationship to the daily lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived at Chimney Rock more than 1,000 years ago. Tour participants will be taken on a journey through geologic time to learn what the rocks present at Chimney Rock today tell us about the geography of southwestern Colorado over time. Participants will also learn how to identify common rocks and fossils in the area. Rock types impact structures, pottery, tools and soil productivity. The tour also covers the key points discussed in the archaeological-focused tours like the Great House Tour. No prior knowledge of geology is required.
The hike up to the Chacoan Great House Pueblo offers great views and photo opportunities, but 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). The tour length includes 30 minutes for the hike to and from the Great House Pueblo.
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 tour. Recreation.gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.
Guided Great House Walking Tour: August 22, 23, 24, 27, 29, 30 and 31
This guided tour takes visitors 1/3 mile up the Great Pueblo Trail, making several stops along the way to learn about the ancient Puebloan structures built more than 1,000 years ago and their connection to the Chaco culture located 90 miles southwest of this spot. At the end of the trail, visitors will enjoy a 360-degree 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.
Peregrine falcons are often sighted on the left side of Companion Rock, so cameras are a must.
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). Check-in is at the plaza kiosk at 10am. The tour begins at 10:30am. Tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up and $6 for ages 5-12. It is recommended for ages 5 and above due to uneven, rocky steps and steep drop-offs. 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.
The tour may be canceled because of insufficient attendees.
Mysteries of Chimney Rock Tours: Mornings, August 23, 26 and 30.
The Mysteries of Chimney Rock Tour is offered on Monday and Friday mornings from 8 to 10:15am, and on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 7:15pm.
This engaging two-hour tour will spotlight several topics aimed specifically at interpreting the history and significance of Chimney Rock and the Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the area more than 1,000 years ago. The tour delves into the connection of Chimney Rock to the greater Chaco Culture, the significance of the mesa top Great House Pueblo and the day-to-day lives of the inhabitants of Chimney Rock.
The tour takes visitors along both the Mesa Village Trail and the Great House Trail to learn specifics about the structures along the way — their significance and uses. At the end of the trail, visitors will enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view from atop the mesa ridge. You will also be afforded the closest view possible of the two pinnacles: Chimney Rock and Companion Rock. Peregrine falcons are often sighted on the left side of Companion Rock, so cameras are a must. The tour will be conducted in the quiet off-hours of the monument.
The hike up to the Chacoan Great House Pueblo may be difficult for some due to the steep gradient, un- even footing, and elevation ending at 7,600 feet. The elevation gain is 200 feet. Participants should be in reason- able physical condition and willing to hike mostly uphill for 1/3 mile (and return steeply downhill).
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 class. Recreation.gov charges a $1 reservation fee that is nonrefundable.