Mesa Verde NP, Colorado 12. Cliff Dwellings The cliff dwelling was first discovered in 1888, when two local ranchers chanced upon it while searching for stray cattle. A large tree, which they identified as a Douglas Spruce, was found growing from the front of the dwelling to the mesa top. It is said that the men first entered the dwelling by climbing down this tree, which was later cut down by another early explorer. ⇦ Back to Page 11 On to Page 13 ⇨Hi-Res Pic (186K) Return to Mesa Verde - Page 2 |