Walnut Canyon is home to cliff dwellings along the canyon walls and pit houses along the rim that were built by one clan of ancestral people to the Hopi tribe. This canyon was occupied from 1125 to 1250, at which point the people moved away and assimilated into Hopi culture. The Hopi have migration stories about their ancestors. These ancestors are now called Sinagua, which means the people “without water” in Spanish. At the bottom of the canyon, Walnut Creek, does not always have water running through it.

The Island Trail has stairs leading down to some partially rebuilt cliff dwellings that visitors can climb into and explore. All along the cliffs there are shallow caves formed from ledges and overhangs where the softer rock between them has eroded. The dwellings take advantage of these by building rock walls to create homes that had door and window openings.

These dwellings were discovered by treasure hunters in the 1880s when many pots and other artifacts were removed (stolen). Cliff dwelling walls were even dynamited to allow for more daylight to assist in finding artifacts. To stop the theft and destruction, the national monument was formed in 1915.

Our way around this trail was a bit confusing. We missed the big sign at the bottom of the stairs from the visitor’s center that says “One Way Begins” with a big arrow. People were giving us funny looks as they passed us on the rather narrow trail. Doh! We finally saw the sign, then went back around for a second look in the correct direction. Luckily the crowds weren’t too large today.

Up on the canyon rim, the Sinagua farmed and hunted. They grew corn, beans and squash. Evidence of these crops were part of the treasure artifacts that were plundered before the park was formed. Pit houses were built to be near these canyon rim activities and an example is on display along the Rim Trail. This trail was an out and back so we couldn’t mess up the direction:)

This canyon is a beautiful landscape with room for hundreds of dwellings. The plant life varies with elevation and exposure to sunlight. Yucca and prickly pear are particularly plentiful on south facing slopes and useful as food and fiber. The Ponderosa pines have a wonderful smell and make excellent poles for building. The junipers are making Tony sneeze (random observation). Black Walnuts grow along the creek at the bottom and give the canyon its modern name.