On this visit we were staying in a campground near Flagstaff. On our way back from a quick run to the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park we decided to stop in Wupatki and see the ruins that we'd missed on earlier visits. It was late in the afternoon and a storm was brewing to the west. We weren't sure if we'd be able to see everything before the weather closed in, but we made it.

3:26 p.m.
From the Tusayan Pueblos site in Grand Canyon National Park, (we drove past Desert View and out the east entrance (which looks great, but is still under construction). We hit Highway 89 again near Cameron and drove south to the north entrance to Wupatki National Monument. In the past we had always come in from the south, through Sunset Crater National Monument. So by the time that we got to the north and west end of Wupatki we were burned out and tended to skip the several sites along there. So, by coming in from the north entrance, we were fresh and ready to see the sites.

It was 70 degrees out, the sky was starting to cloud up and looking like rain, so we kept our fingers crossed that we would at least get to all of the ruins that we'd missed before.

3:56 p.m.
Our first stop was the Lamaki Ruins. We got to see the Box Canyon Ruins and the Lamaki Ruins a short walk beyond. These three small ruins are each built on the edge of a shallow canyon that cuts through the open country. It started raining lightly, but we were already on our way back to the truck, so we didn’t miss anything.

4:16 p.m.
Next we stopped at the Nalakihu and Citadel Pueblos. Nalakihu is down at the base of the hill, while the Citadel Ruins sit high up on top. There is a paved path to the top, which provides great views of the surrounding landscape and the Nalakihu Pueblo below. From up top we could spot several other pueblos that are not noted on the Monument maps. I’m sure they have not been stabilized or thoroughly worked and the Park Service wants to keep us tourists at bay. There is also a pretty neat sink hole visible from up there. Impressive.

4:30 p.m.
From the Citadel we drove through some volcanic areas and then wound down to another valley where we came to the main Wupatki Pueblo ruins, where there is a Visitor Center. There is drinking water and restrooms and a small gift shop and museum here.

There were not a lot of people at this site, and we pretty much could walk along at our own pace.

5:20 p.m.
It took us almost an hour to explore the main ruins area. While we were wandering around there was a pretty interesting double rainbow visible out over the valley to the east. It was there pretty much the entire time we were walking around. But amazingly we didn’t get rained on. There were only a few people around the ruins and we were just about the last people out on this day.

We followed the trail guide along the sides of the main ruins, then walked down to the main kiva, to the blow hole, and to the ball court. We also spotted the lone petroglyph at the site (at least that we know of).

5:24 p.m.
From there we drove to the Wukoki Ruins parking area. At that point it was 69 degrees outside and beginning to get dusky.

There was only one other car at this sight. We wandered around and looked at the rock top pueblo and then walked the dirt trail that passes all around it. It's interesting how the Sinagua built the sides of their buildings right at the edge of this huge rock. I'm sure it gave them more protection than if it were out in the flats.

5:41 p.m.
When we finished Wukoki it was 66 degrees. The Sun is just a bit above the horizon, with some clouds. We are driving back to Flagstaff through Sunset Crater National Monument.