Fall is here and Chimney Rock National Monument is open to the public until October 15.
Come see the fall colors and the solar eclipse, while you learn about the Ancient Puebloans who used to live here.
Great House Eclipse Experience
Come join a select few on October 14 for a guided tour up to the Great House Pueblo for a magnificent viewing spot of the annular solar eclipse. Tickets are limited to 35 people.
The gate will open at 8:30am with check-in from 8:30 to 9am. The eclipse will begin at 9:10am and reach a maximum of 93.1 percent solar coverage at 10:35am. The eclipse will conclude by noon.
Because of limited parking, shuttles will transfer participants to the trailhead. The 2/3-mile round-trip trail is considered moderate with some rough, rocky sections and steep drop-offs. Bring something soft to sit on while viewing the eclipse.
The fee is $25 per person. This will cover the Forest Service’s entry fee and National Aeronautics and Space Administration-approved protective glasses for each participant.
Art at the Pinnacles
The final Sketching at the Pinnacles class will take place on Tuesday, October 10. This class is part art, part reflection, part nature study and a little visit to Chimney Rock National Monument all rolled into one.
The class starts at the Mesa Village Trail, and then guests will walk down to the Great Kiva to sit on blankets or chairs we bring. Our goal is to become centered with the site and focus in on a specific item of nature. Using sketchbooks and drawing materials provided, we will examine the item of nature selected and watch how it magically appears on a page in our sketchbook. Afterward, there will be a sharing with each other of what we have learned.
No art talent is required, just a desire to be open to suggestions and willing to try a hand at self-expression. Materials will be provided to each participant. Participants must check in at 5pm. The fee is $20 per person (age 10 and up) including all materials and is considered a nonrefundable donation.
Mysteries of Chimney Rock Tour
The Mysteries of Chimney Rock Tour takes place on Monday and Friday mornings from 8 to 10:15am and on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 7:15pm.
This engaging two-hour event will spotlight a number of general topics aimed at interpreting the history and significance of Chimney Rock and the Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the area long ago.
You will walk both the Mesa Village and Great House Pueblo Trails, learning about the structures along each trail, including their significance and uses. You will be treated to the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Guests must arrive 15 minutes before the program starts. Tickets are $16 (ages 13 and up), $8 (ages 5-12), under 5 free, and are considered a nonrefundable, nontransferable donation.
Chimney Rock is located 17 miles west of Pagosa and 3 miles south on Colo. 151. To view the Chimney Rock National Monument 2023 Calendar of Events, go to www.chimneyrockco.org.
The Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that offers interpretive programs at Chimney Rock National Monument in partnership with the USDA Forest Service and the San Juan National Forest.