The Four Corners' Smaller Wonders

In the Four Corners area where the states of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona meet, the Navajo Nation which encompasses an area of 26,000 miles, reaches into all the Four Corner's states except Colorado where the modern boundaries end at the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation. The Four Corners are filled with well-known, highly visited national wonders but throughout the Navajo Nation and into the Ute Tribal lands are smaller, less known wonders and destinations. These four states meet, culturally intersect, and all protect our history and natural beauty.

Take all the colors in the color wheel, wrap them together and give the new color the name New Mexico. The description of New Mexico will not be the same from each person who attempts to describe this state to those who have never been. New Mexico is hard, yet soft, cultured and artistic while also rough and primitive. Perhaps no where else in the United States can depict the history and the spirit of this nation of strength and diversity as well as New Mexico.

Buried deep in the cliffs and hot desert are the secrets of a land's ancient, forgotten past while the cities are filled with all the culture and wonders of our modern world. But along the highways and dusty roads travelers will find locations where the life and history of the American Indian mixed and blended into the way of the white man to create the fabric of the land which became the United States.

Shiprock, New Mexico at the Juncture of U.S. Hwy's 64 and 491 would normally be overlooked by travelers heading for larger, more advertised locations. While the town itself does not offer any accommodations it is worth a visit along your route especially during the first week of October. Each year the seven day long Northern Navajo Nation Fair is held in Shiprock, complete with rodeo and cultural dancing. Nearby is the town's namesake mountain, Shiprock, or Tse Bit'a'I, "the rock with wings", a spectacular rock formation made of volcanic breccia, the result of a near volcanic eruption estimated at around 30 million years ago. The rock is sacred to the Navajo and as such is off limits to climbing.

Natural wonders abound throughout America but Arizona seems to hold more biological wonders than man can count --from the Grand Canyon, often called one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Mount Graham a geological surprise in the midst of the desert or to a waterfall higher than Niagra Falls, Arizona continues to draw tourists and residents from all over the world. Amongst all these well documented destinations, existing quietly in the hidden corners of the state in the territories of the Navajo Nation are places that have been drawing people for over a hundred years. Traveling along Hwy 64 from New Mexico into Arizona lies a small community called Teec Nos Pos. There you will find the Teec Nos Pos Trading Post which has been doing business since 1905. The Trading Post is known for the authentic, traditional Navajo rugs and crafts they sell and has been featured in several novels. Local Navajo shoppers still shop at the trading post and many wool sellers throughout the Navajo Nation come to Teec Nos Pos to sell the trading post their wool. The Trading Post is an eclectic collection of modern conveniences and colorful Native American arts and wares.

A drive through the state of Utah can not be accomplished without one or two mouth dropping moments of awe at the indescribable splendor or the abundance of natural rock formations and canyons. Even at night these formations rise up as majestic shadows from the desert, more visible because of the wide open skies that seem to surround you in Utah. Not far from the actual Four Corners Monument, you can find a less known area called the "Valley of the God's" near a little town called Bluff on Hwy 191, bordering the Navajo Nation. The Valley of the God's is the place to go if you want to avoid the large tourist locations and amenities for a more natural discovery of Utah. Dirt roads and unfettered scenery are all you will have to contend with. Cedar Mesa above the valley is a little more known as a location for prime ruins and rock art. The dirt road up to the Mesa consists of three miles of hairpin curves or switchbacks but has pull offs all the way to stop and enjoy the view.

Bluff itself makes an interesting find for those on a self induced "walk-a-bout" or discovery vacation as the town opens you up to many discoveries such as abandoned Anasazi dwellings and artifacts, a lovely blend of Navajo and Ute art, and turn of the century American History with examples of Victorian architecture from the towns earlier boom days. You can even find good food and a microbrewery in town.

The southwestern corner of Colorado has almost no resemblance to the better known I-70 corridor and mountain areas. The land known as Colorado has been home to Indian tribes for millions of years and in the southwestern part of the state the Native American culture and history live and breathe not only in the towns but in the very soil and cliffs in the region. The Ute Mountain Tribal Park, located on the Colorado extension of the 114 mile Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byways, was set aside and protected by the Ute Mountain Ute's. Rock art, cliff dwellings and artifacts dating back 1,000 years can be seen under the knowledgeable guidance of Ute guides. This is tribal land so you can not tour on your own. The tour requires desert hiking and climbing up ladders to cliff dwelling locations so you want to be prepared.

The closest town to the Ute Mountain Tribal Park would be Cortez, Colorado. Cortez's history would make it an original "bedroom community" as the town was not built around mining, or transportation or even ranching. Cortez was originally built to house those who worked to divert water from the Dolores River to the Montezuma Valley where it was hoped crops could readily grow. Nestled between mountains and the desert Cortez, like many Colorado towns has survived many ups and downs and thrived due to the great diversity of the people and the land, and the many natural wonders within easy reach. Cortez offers a good variety of recreational activities, art, food, and inviting places to stay.

Sources:

Teec Nos Pos
Utah Trail of the Ancients
Personal Experience