Mesa Verde NP, Colorado

6. Cliff Palace

In the summers of 1909 and 1910 Fewkes continued the excavation and repair program of the park ruins. This work was the continuation of the previous plan of operations at Spruce Tree House. It was limited to Cliff Palace, the largest and one of the most picturesque ruins in the park. Rooms, courts and terraces were completely excavated and the walls carefully repaired and strengthened. To make the ruin more accessible from the mesa above, a new trail was constructed a short distance from the southern and of the Palace, following a rift between a huge detached rock and the side of the cliff. Near an ancient stairway of foot holes, four ladders were placed one above another, firmly attached to the rock. From the level of the ruin an easy pathway led through the woods to the main entrance, on a level with the lowest terrace.