EXPLORING CHACO CANYON (With History, Information, Hikes, etc.) 

My late husband and I discovered Chaco canyon 30 yrs ago... such a pleasure after the disappointment of Mesa Verde! (I was unprepared for the CROWDS!!) I guess 30 miles of wash-board desert roads ARE good for something! We were also up before dawn, so got to spend some alone time with the spirits of the ancestors.. Thank you so much Tristan, for taking me to all the parts we missed seeing..

I enjoyed the whole video !! AS a matter of fact since I will never see these things in person (I'm 74) your videos give me the chance to at least see all the beautiful wilderness. Thank you

Thank you so much for this wonderful video! I'm 77 years old and really appreciate you doing all the walking/hiking while I sit in my climate controlled house! Great Job!

Chaco is amazing. To think that you can visit sites as significant and massive as Pueblo Bonito, and be the only person there at the time, is extraordinary. The road is bad, the camping limited, Its not a cruise up snap a picture and you're done type of place. You have to make an effort to really "be" there. That's something lots of people don't understand and a big part of why this place is special. Hike to the outliers, get off the loop road, experience stars in one of the best dark sky locations around. Feel how small we really are in the universe. Hold a pottery fragment in your hands and see the fingerprint the potter left 1000 years ago. These stone walls will still be standing in another 1000 years, we will be dust...

Thanks for being such a fantastic guide to places that many of us will never be able to visit.

I own a small airplane in which I took my first aerial tour of Chaco today. I have visited the site on the ground before and I agree with your expressions of awe narrated in this video. My aerial tour reinvigorated my interest and my on line search for video material brought me to your video tour. Your presentation is impressive and your conversational delivery made me feel like I was there with you. Thanks for that! I commented to my girlfriend that I wish that I knew you because I totally appreciated your reachable demeanor and down to earth style. You are someone I would appreciate as a friend. After this video I went on to learn that you are fairly prolific with your videos and writings, had dual hip surgeries, AND that you were recently married. CONGRATULATIONS! It's a pleasure to learn about your work. Safe and well wishes to you and your wife. Thanks again for the gift of the Chaco video tour today. Richard Roderick, Farmington NM

The trail climbing to the top of the mesa behind Pueblo Bonito is a ton of fun, and the birds eye view of Chetal and Bonito you can get up there is worth the climb

I learned so much from this simple video and in so little time than a professional video documentary. Lol!

The thing about Tsin Klitsen, is that from atop the kiva one can see Shiprock, a major communication and religious center for the puebloans. This means that a signal sent from Shiprock, 60 miles away, can be seen at Tsin Klitsen and then relayed to where it needs to go within the community. That's what makes that hike even more than worthwhile.

Your the only guy with a good video on this ancient site.

Excellent, informative, enjoyed.

Favorite part? All of it from ... beginning to end. Thank you for bringing us along. It's going on my bucket list.

One of the best experiences of my life. Smoked a joint at Una Vida before the ranger station opened while the clouds rolled across the canyon and coyotes howled, the sun trying to bring its' light to the area.

Wonderful video. Gave a good view and information that I missed last week visiting.

When I first visted Chaco in 1972 the site was minimally developed. No ropes, no restrictions. Somewhere I have a photo of me standing atop a building wall. Robert Redford made a documentary, The Mystery of Chaco Canyon, that explores the ceremonial nature of the site.

Fascinating! Thank you so much for posting this.😎

I enjoyed the trek! Very interesting I will be puting this on my list thanks for sharing!

I read that these people left the area around 800 years ago due to a fifty year drought. We can’t imagine how rough their life must have been. Great video.👍👍👍

Amazing Thank you.

Thank you for taking us along....this is an emotional place for me

My gosh! Can you imagine how long it took these people to build this complex! Just collecting all these slabs of rock would have taken ages would be mind staggering ! Thank you for sharing this ancient sight!

Tristen, what a great video👍 I live in the PNW north of Seattle, in the 1980’s I worked in the southwest, doing pipelines in the oil patches around four corners NW Colorado and Utah. Worked with several Navaho and have great memories of the traditions they shared with me. I lived in Cortez, worked in Aneth, for about a year. I visited Mesa Verde several times, however I never made it to Chaco Canyon. I lament as now I am older with mobility issues and could not hike these treasures. Your video has enabled me to be there. I remember the smells, sounds and sights, the sensory feel of early mornings in the 4 corners region. Thank you so much for sharing, you are blessing many people🙏👍😎 The mystery of the Anasazi civilization is something that makes my head spin, what an amazing people.

Thank youfor some history of, Chaco. Very interesting and mysterious !

I enjoyed this. Would love to see it.

Recently visited Mesa Verde & The ruins in Aztec. Awesome stuff. Can’t wait to see Chaco. Thank you for the introduction!

Chaco Canyon is now on my "Want to See" list. Thanks for sharing your great video and information.

I've been a frequent visitor at Chaco (can't seem to get enough of the place) and may I say that your video is the best, most objective RU-vid presentation I've seen for the site. Kudos to you. The place seems to attract lots of fringe types who superimpose their own biases to the history of Chaco so I appreciate how you have stuck with what is known without a lot of superfluous speculation. You have done two of the best hikes there. I enjoy the back side of the South Gap trail as well, very peaceful after dealing with the crowds at Pueblo Bonito. I highly recommend the Penasco Blanco / Supernova trail. It's a bit longer and is an "out and back" trail, but is well worth the effort. The ruin is much more interesting than Tsin Kletsin. Just an aside regarding access to the park. As frustrating as it is, especially in bad weather, I've heard a park ranger say that if the road were ever improved, Chaco would quickly become the next Mesa Verde, and he didn't mean it in a good way. I think you can imagine what he meant. Looks like I'm going to have to try out your channel. Cheers!

To me all the Ruins are fantastic, big & small, worn down or still standing huge, it's all about the people & their lives. Thanks for sharing

I took my family there in 1978 and was amazed. There was squat for facilities, and no water available for public use. We also camped near a VW Vanagon on our visit, which made my Ford E-150 homebrew seem primitive in comparison! But, I had 30 gal of water in an under floor tank that fed our sink.

Thanks very much for your efforts at bringing this to us that wont be seeing it in person.

I've wanted to visit this location since I had a primitive southwest anthropology class in college!

What a great video! So interesting both in terms of seeing all of the architecture and your explanation of it all. Very much enjoyed this! Thank you for sharing this.

We drove in from the south at night. I thought we’d never make it. The road was brutal. Middle of nowhere. But there were a few cows. My daughter worked at Chaco for the summer and we stayed at her place. Next day she was able to show us around. Great experience.

A job well done Tristan, I was there last year and didn't see near as much as you showed us. Thanks for the information!

You find the coolest places! Great hikes and amazing ruins in our own country. Thank you for allowing me to see the country through your eyes.

Great piece on this amazing place!

Great video ! We "ran out of steam" the last time we went so we were able to "see" the rest of the park through your eyes. Thank you! That VERY LARGE kiva was amazing !

I've been to Chaco several times. Only once was there a crowd, spring equinox.

Very informative, great video! Thanks

I visited Chaco Canyon several times , many years ago. Such a fascinating place. I loved your hikes and descriptions of structures and areas that I never got to. Excellent video!

Wow, this was fantastic. Thanks for taking us on the tour. Love early American history.

Watched it again. Been to Chaco many times in different seasons. It's never crowded despite what our friend is saying. The place is massive and those that visit just disappear into the rocks and ruins. Don't stay away! Worth it all!

Fascinating! I had never heard of this place before.. thank you for taking us there.

Thanks for taking us along on this adventure.

Really liked this video! Your relaxed, happy-seeming pace made it relaxing and cheering to watch, and it felt like no time passed at all!

Thanks for your trip down my memory lane! I was there about 10 years ago for 7 days. I also took the hike on top behind Bonito. Just past Alto, there is an overlook into a huge valley. From that vantage point you can see the remains of the some 300 miles of roads they built into Chaco. The Navaho still do ceremonies in the Great Kiva and I was told there is a keyhole in the wall that aligns the sun with a shelf on the opposite side. Also, I was told the bench in the Great Kiva was reserved for their ancestors to sit on during their ceremonies. They also aligned their buildings, especially Publeo Bonito, on the cardinal compass points north and south. Again, enjoy your videos and keep exploring!

Bandelier National Monument outside of White Rick, NM is also very cool. So is Tsankawi. North of Chaco is Hovenweep National Monument in Utah. Only about two hours away from Chaco. Pueblo Bonito is a large calendar building that marks the solstices and equinoxes. Check out The Mystery of Chaco Canyon, narrated by Robert Redford.

Great video! Thanks for all the efforts in making and sharing this with us. I have visited Chaco numerous times and have done much of the same exploring that you have done. Also discovering and admiring all of the pottery shards there is another deeper element to explore with fascination. If you have already, I recommend visiting the Aztec ruins in Aztec, NM. They have a beautifully restored great kiva there that you can enter and observe and touch and sit in while daydreaming about what great ceremonies must have been like in the days of use. Also, there are massive sage brush there surrounding Aztec ruins that are to be awed. Thanks again!

I visited Chaco a few years ago and I was there for a few hours by myself and felt very privileged to have it to myself. It’s a very special place.

Thanks so much for doing this. I've never been there but watching you going through the place is almost like being there!

On my bucket list. You answered some questions I haven't been able to get answers to like is the fall a good time to go weather wise. Great commentating, great camera work too. Thank you!

You are such a good guide. Thank you for a wonderful video of Chaco Canyon. I loved all the details on the 5 mile walk.

Watching Native America on PBS tonight. What a wonderful surprise to see a segment about Chaco canyon. I had never heard of this place until I watched your video. Thanks.

This was very interesting and quite fascinating I might add. Chaco Canyon is now on my list of places to check out.

Awesome! More! I really enjoyed the tour. You've done a great job presenting your adventure.

Thank you for your efforts and for isharing the richness of the American indigenous culture. I regret not visiting Pueblo Bonito when I was in the area, more than once! Your perseverance and use of common sense is admirable. Thank you, thank you!

What a very peculiar place! Thanks for the detailed tour!!!

Hey thanks a lot for bringing us with

I"m going to make sure we go see this place. Thank you

Most excellent tour! Thank you so much!

Tristan, Amazing. My teacher buddy Andres and I visited Chaco for a few hours before Covid. We got to see a few of the spots you recorded. Chaco is like being transported in a time machine. Your film captured the arid feel of the sandstone environment. When we visited we came from sea level Connecticut to Chaco which has an elevation of 5 or 6 thousand feet which slowed me down. A National park guide explained people visited as pilgrims. A few years later My wife and I walked the Camino Francis pilgrim route in Spain. That route was marked by Templar and Hospeteler castles because of the long conflicts. At Chaco none of the remains were defensive. It must have been a peaceful period. I was intrigued by all your gear in your vehicle. I want to make your paper towel holder looped over the head rest of the non driver's seat. Genius.

So glad we decided to see all of this many years ago, so much history.

I'm going to visit Chaco Canyon in August. Your video was extremely informative, clear headed, honest, and enjoyable. Keep on the path, and off too, for that matter. Thanks again!

I enjoyed your hike! Very interesting and informative of the areas and people that once, lived there. Thank you!

What a great, informative but relaxing history lesson! I could watch your videos for hours and hours. Thank you so much for sharing. Hope you are recovering well. Best wishes from Germany!

Love your videos ... I wait until I get home at night to watch them on my large screen smart TV. I think your videos are the best on RU-vid for your history and geography commentary. Your cinematography is also excellent - wind and all. I love that you plan your visits when people are not around. Thanks for educating us ... I look forward to your next video.

Amazing and enjoyable thanks for the tour.

Excellent video. More informative than many I've watched. Thank you.

Very interesting! You are at the top of the list that I have listened to on youtube. Yeah, this place is a must see. Will do! Thank you!

I see that you did learn a lot more and came to greater appreciation of this place, after to your video of a few days earlier. Good job.

This was an excellent tour. I will be visiting Chaco soon, so your video gave me and idea of what to expect. Your videos are so informative. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing! 👍😊

Beautiful area. Thank you for another trip back in time. This winter I'll plan trips for next year. Take care 👍.

Fascinating and very enjoyable. THank you.

Thank you, nice work. Very educational. You have a nice speaking voice to listen too.

What a fantastic video, Tristan. I love the way you share these places and your thoughts. Feels like I’m hiking alongside. Thank you!

I love your channel and videos. This is much better than anything I've seen on tv. Thank you for sharing with us.

Great video! A friend and I went there at the end of the day 10 years back! To get the full experience I would say try to get in a full day! Good to see the stuff here that we missed!👍🏻

I was at Aztec Ruins in February. The Grand Kiva is amazing. :) Peaceful and quiet. Gotta hit Chaco next soon.

This video was superb. You took us on an awe-inspiring adventure, and did a really terrific job. Your video inspired me to visit ASAP. And now I'm off to check out your gear website. Thank you!

I spent 2 days there with my 2 boys & we were alone for the day too. Beautiful place.

Thanks for an excellent trip and fascinating history

Well done tour. THank you very much.

Great video Tristan . I enjoyed it very much .

I first came here in 1968. My dad had read about it and loaded up the car with us 3 kids for a road trip from Minnesota. I was 13 years old and vividly remember the other-worldly and remote feeling at Chaco. The ruins were so ominous looking, and so large compared to others we’d seen; I felt very unsettled there. That said, I’ve returned several times since with another trip planned for next year. Thanks very much for sharing your experiences here. Great work!

👍 Very fascinating and I can't wait to see this for myself so thank you for pointing out another great location!

I'm going to get to go here. Thank you. Looking forward to a facinating time.

Thanks! Going there in a couple of weeks!

Awesome ! Thank you for posting.

Awesome trip! Thank you!

Very interesting. Great video. Thank you

lovely thanks for sharing!

Thank you for informative and amazing video.

I’ve decided that Chaco was a giant Anasazi spa/resort religious retreat.

Great video and I want to visit this place now. Be safe and Venture On!.

Oh... Nice to learn about new things. A lot more thorough than mainstream travel shows that just fluff around. Great job.

Fabulous place. Well done

You do an excellent job of providing a history lesson while entertaining us at the same time.......not to mention the video quality is first rate! Hope you’re healing well!

Squatter man petroglyphs, great find!

My wife and I visited chaco back in '82 when you only could get there by dirt road. Was so impressed with the site and remains so today. Thanks for sharing!....:-)