Sun Point View
the top half is from nps, the bottom photo is mine, taken on May 23, 2025
… more pix on Google Maps
A great viewing point, looking out to multiple cliff dwelling villages, over the canyon, in the Mesa Verde national park. These dwellings used to be bustling communities. Over 30 cliff dwellings occupy these canyon alcoves and ledges.
The two information panels read:
“Years of Change
Children born in one of these cliff dwellings in 1225 CE experienced many changes in their lifetime. Over the course of roughly 75 years, they and their families witnessed the migration from mesa top villages into alcove communities; a significant peak in the area’s population; and then the final exodus from the entire Four Corners region.
By the end of the 13th century, these canyons were quiet again-filled with remnants of once thriving communities and a host of unanswered questions.
公元1225年,出生在这些悬崖住所的孩子们,一生经历了诸多变迁.在大约75年的时间里,他们和家人见证了从台地顶部村庄迁入凹室社区的进程;见证了该地区人口的显著增长;以及最终从整个四角地区迁徙而来的人们.
到了13世纪末,这些峡谷再次恢复了宁静——充满了曾经繁荣的社区的遗迹,以及一系列未解之谜.”
… and
“Years of Activity
The move to the alcoves began around 1200 CE and by mid-century, there were more than 30 cliff dwellings in the Cliff and Fewkes Canyon neighborhood. Several are visible from here. Imagine these canyons filled with the sights and sounds of a bustling neighborhood-smoke from cook fires, children playing, men working in their mesa top fields, people going about their day. Well-travelled paths wound through cliffs and forests from one village to another. Ties of families, friendships, shared celebrations, and ceremonies brought neighbors together in this vibrant community.
人们大约在公元1200年就开始迁居到壁龛中.到本世纪中叶,悬崖和福克斯峡谷附近已有30多处悬崖住所.从这里可以看到其中几处.想象一下,这些峡谷充满了熙熙攘攘的景象和声音——炊烟袅袅,孩子们嬉戏玩耍,男人们在台地顶部的田野里劳作,人们忙碌着日常生活.人迹罕至的小路蜿蜒穿过悬崖和森林,连接着一个又一个村庄.在这个充满活力的社区里,家庭、友谊、共同的庆典和仪式将邻里们联系在一起.”