When we decided to head back to Bakersfield CA to get a new dog
(more on that in another blog entry) we stopped for a few days
in Flagstaff, AZ. We’ve been there several times before and decided
that we didn’t want to spend the time or gas to go to the Grand
Canyon (an hours drive from Flagstaff) but we did want to do
something while there.

We decided to go again to the Walnut Canyon ancient Indian ruins.
It is located just a few miles east of Flagstaff. The visitor center has
lots of information and the tour is self guided.

To get to the ruins area you have to walk down about 250 steps and then the ruins are along
the edges of a standalone mesa and not on the top, but lower in an area where the sandstone was
softer and more easily eroded away by the winds.

There was a nice level path made around the mesa so you can see many of the ruins.

Then, of course the hard part was going back UP the 250 steps when you’re at over 7,000 ft
in elevation in the first place! We stopped frequently to rest, several times in the shade
which was nice.

We met a range doing his daily walk through the tour area
to see if everyone is doing ok. He said every 2 or 3 weeks they have to rescue someone
who wasn’t doing very well.

Here are some pictures: