Kivas and Wildflowers

Today my brother and I spent several hours hiking around an area we knew to contain 3 kivas (thanks to an aerial flyover in the DPS helicopter during Jeep Safari!). We found 2 of them and quite a nice collection of wildflowers. I'll post a few snapshots to give you an idea of what we found. Yes, I will be going back to photograph them with the big camera and sweet light.

I do realize these aren't actual kivas. Frankly, I'm not sure what they would have been used for but they're cool nonetheless. We also found huge panels of petroglyphs including some kokopellis, shield bearing figures and fertility figures.

This is the first ruin/kiva we found. It's on top of a tall sandstone fin and requires squeezing through a narrow crack to access. If you're a bigger guy or gal, you ain't gonna fit. See the next pic.

Here is Erik squeezing through the crack. He's 5'10" and about 185 lbs. I think anyone hovering around 200 lbs. is out of luck.

Some pink cactus flowers. Not sure what these are. Anyone got a guess?

Some red cactus flowers. I think this is a claret cup cactus.

Finally, some white flowers. I believe these are primrose.

Wow, what a fine collection! Those "kivas" strike me as something a little more recent - say, within the last decade - than something ancient. Sounds like you're thinking the same thing. They're cool nonetheless. Not sure on the first cactus pic, but you're right about claret cup, and the primrose is either called evening primrose or desert primrose. Could be two names for the same species, as I've seen it labeled as both. That stuff was flourishing at the east entrance of Colo. NM last year at this time, but it didn't look as pristine as yours. Claret cup, on the other hand, is thriving on some rocky hillsides I found yesterday outside of Canon City, so I'll be heading back tomorrow with the camera.

The first cactus is a relative of the one I posted last year (with the bug on the top) - it's a fish-hook cactus, possibly a Desert Valley Fishhook Cactus.

Great collection of images that really tell the story of your day out. I think my favourite is the Pink Cactus flowers!.

Wow, that's an interesting collection! It sure does look like someone fairly recently went to a lot of work to build the "kiva". Any signs of a sipapu? I like the primrose photo.

Good question, Roger. I didn't even think to look for one. I scanned the area for pottery shards, metates or other types of evidence but didn't find anything. That is, unless you count the hundreds of petroglyphs. I'm doing some research this week in hopes of discovering whether these are authentic ruins of some kind or a more recent fraud.

Interesting. Definitely let us know what you find out! Looks like its a good time to be in Moab.

Very cool images Bret! I don't think I'd want to be squeezing through that crack. I'd fit; just wouldn't want to do it.
I better to get down to my old stomping grounds (Cañon City) before Todd takes all the images.

Damn those little Anasazi bastards! You don't think that if I stripped to my boxers and buttered up with extra suntan lotion I would be able to slide my 6'5"/300lb. self through that crack?

I'm only askin' 'cause I'm headin' that way in the next couple of weeks. (Although maybe that's really just a warning...)

That is quite the visual, CAZ! I'm sorry to say that even with all that extra effort I just don't see it happening.

If you'll be in Moab for a couple days let me know. It'd be great to see you or even go shoot something if I'm not working.

Cool stuff, Bret! I've seen these things all along the Cockscomb, usually in places with good field of view. I think they were used by Anasazi hunters.
Les is right - the pink one is a fishhook cactus. You got the others right. I'm headed to the desert in a couple of weeks. Can't wait.

Guy

That makes sense, Guy. Given their location high atop a sandstone fin I kind of assumed they were used as a defensive position. But, a hunting lookout makes more sense. There is a spring not too far from here that attracts a lot of wildlife through the corridor below.

Nice desert adventuring images Bret! I'd love to know what those round things are - probably a board room of sorts.

Love those flower shots! I'd love to see that area from the air too. Lucky SOB.

Bret, Great stuff & find! Would love to see these some day just don't know if my 200lb bod could make it through the crack...and then what about the backpack........Better call Jenny Craig.

Joe.