TOWERS AND TERRACES

October 27 finds us in Monument Valley, UT. Stayed in a wonderful campground located in the valley. Each lot was terraced because it was on a slope. This meant everyone had an unobstructed view of the valley. No highway noise, no loud campers gave space for experiencing the peace and serenity of the valley.

View from the campsight

This valley is part of the Navaho lands. The valley is "owned" and administered by the  tribal Government. They consider the valley sacred land. An effort is made too make it somewhat difficult to access the valley. There is only one public hiking trail. There is only one 17 mile road into the valley. You should have a 4 wheel drive vehicle to drive it. It's not paved and is very rough and bumpy.
We did both. The hiking trail is 3.2 mil es long and goes around the West Mitten Butte. A moderate hike until you have to climb up what you went down at the beginning of the hike. Elevation change is well over 500 feet. We missed a trail marker somewhere and ended up (after trying different ways) on a horse trail that was going the right way! It eventually met the original trail, but we added a few more steps onto the 3.2 miles!

Breaking in my new hiking hat and shoes

West Miten Butte

Our 2000 Honda CRV took the drive like a champ! They did not lie, you really did need 4 wheel drive. This put us up close and personal with the buttes. They tower in the vast, wide open space of the valley! The solitary sentinels keeping watch over sacred space around them. We know the God who placed them, created the elements that formed them and holds their space together to bring glory to his name. Sacred space indeed!