An amazing number of ancient cliff dwellings and stone structures are scattered across the desert in Hovenweep National Monument and Canyon of the Ancients.  This whole area is quite remote and most structures are accessible only by native surface roads (rutted dirt) or by foot trail.  The 2 mile Little Ruin Trail at the Hovenweep visitor center encircles the Square tower community built in a narrow canyon.  The structures are amazing.  They are built of meticulously shaped stone with walls two and three layers thick forming circular, square and even D-shaped towers.  We had a great, bright, sunny walk…a bit of a cool breeze but worth it.

Then, the not so distant clouds closed in.  As we drove to the next site; rain, then sleet, then snow and the temperature dropped from 55F to 36F degrees.  No more hiking for us today!