By Trisha and Wes Arrighetti
“What a magnificent view!” was one of the many comments we’d hear as volunteer Mesa Hosts at Chimney Rock National Monument. “You must never tire of it”. So true. The view from the upper mesa parking lot is breathtaking, but it is only the beginning.
There are two trails – the Mesa Village Trail and the Great House Pueblo Trail. As Mesa Host Volunteers, we assist with parking locations for visitor vehicles, describe the trails and provide visitors with a map, giving descriptions of the various points of interest along the way. “Which trail is your favorite?” “Both!”, we enthusiastically answered.
The ever-changing beauty of Chimney Rock, a place both sacred and magical, offers new discoveries every month. Wildflower, cacti, and shrubs bloom in pure white, magenta, golden yellow, fire orange, and heavenly blue–each in their own time, throughout the summer. The majestic Peregrine Falcons soar high above, the vibrantly yellow-headed collared lizards delight and pose for photographs, the crows converse and the turkey vultures glide over the valley. The beautiful Southwestern skies entertain us with abundant sunshine and thunderstorms that threaten, rain for a spell, then blow over , cleansing the air with the fresh fragrance of nature. It is both peaceful and powerful.
My family – my husband, Wes; our daughter, Kate; and I — began volunteering last year, and we cannot wait for the new 2025 season to begin. We encourage potential volunteers to attend Chimney Rock Interpretive Association’s (CRIA) upcoming Volunteer Recruitments, which gives potential volunteers an overview of volunteer opportunities. The positive energy of the volunteers is contagious.
The Orientation Session for volunteers is a two day event; Day 1 is held indoors and features speakers from Chimney Rock Interpretive Association and the National Forest Service. Day 2 is held at Chimney Rock. Last year, Day 2 of our training was an on-site tour. The morning started with spring snow. It was wet and cloudy and cold, but the Monument was enchanting. Our guide explained how the Ancestral Puebloans first occupied Chimney Rock and lived high above the valley floor. We walked both trails and were given an excellent, informative tour.
About two weeks later, once the Monument was opened to the public, a special weekend event, Life at Chimney Rock, provided insight and hands-on demonstrations of how the Ancestral Puebloans worked together to create a thriving community. We helped at the weaving table and saw how delighted both young children and adults were when they completed their projects.
There is so much to learn, and CRIA and the National Forest Service have wonderful resources to help volunteers navigate the rich history. We shadowed seasoned volunteers and enjoyed taking some of the many tours offered each month. Fellow CRIA and Forest Service personnel and volunteers became our friends throughout the summer. We very quickly learned to work in close conjunction with each other to offer the best experience for Monument visitors. Our shared stories and experiences were invaluable.
We met people from all over the world. Many had visited Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, Salmon Ruins, Aztec, and Chaco. Their questions encouraged us to learn more. We helped young visitors answer questions in their Junior Archaeologist Booklets and many times presented visitors who reached the Great House with a souvenir card — “I Made It to the Top”.
Visitors commented that Chimney Rock was one of the best experiences of their vacation — “So many helpful people” – “The best maintained facilities” – “What a magnificent and sacred site.”
Volunteering at Chimney Rock National Monument has enriched our lives and furthered our appreciation and knowledge of the history of the Ancestral Puebloans. An entire day spent outdoors in Southwestern Colorado at this historical and mysterious place will fill you with wonder. The views are breathtaking — and there is so much more!
You can participate this year in the Volunteer Orientation.
Day 1: Friday, May 2, from 9:30am-3:00pm at the Methodist Church located at 434 Lewis Street in Pagosa Springs.
Day 2: Saturday, May 3, we will gather at Chimney Rock from 9:00am –12:00noon for a familiarization tour of the Monument.
For more information, visit www.ChimneyRockCo.org