SUMMER UPON MESA VERDE

ESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK is in the extreme southwestern corner of Colorado and is reached by two routes from Denver. A night is usually spent en route, and the ruins are reached by wagon, horseback, or automobile from Mancos.

Apart from the ruins, the country is one of much beauty and interest. The highest spot on the Mesa is Point Lookout, 8,428 feet in altitude. The mesa's western edge is a fine bluff two thousand feet above the Montezuma Valley whose irrigation lakes and brilliantly green fields are set off nobly against the distant Rico Mountains. To the west are the La Salle and Blue Mountains in Utah, with Ute Mountain in the immediate foreground.

The views are inspiring, the entire country "different." In the spring the entire region blooms. It used to be a country of wild animals and at times deer are still plentiful. There is a thoroughly comfortable hotel near Spruce Tree House.

One of the unusual attractions of last summer was the unearthing of the great mound which covered Sun Temple. Dr. Fewkes maintained a camp near the mound and lectured almost nightly to those who gathered around his campfire. The same informal custom will probably be resumed during this and succeeding summers while the exploration of other suggestive mounds is progressing.

PHOTOGRAPHING ONE OF THE ROOMS AT BALCONY HOUSE Photograph by Mrs. C. R. Miller

TYPICAL SKULLS OF PREHISTORIC MAN FOUND IN THE MESA VERDE These skulls show an unusual breadth as compared with Indians of to-day, though of the same ethnological type. Nordenskiöld concludes that the race was fairly robust, with heavy skeletons and strong muscular processes. The facial bones are well developed and lower jaw heavy Photographs by J. L. Nusbaum

THE TRAIL TO BALCONY HOUSE

THE ENTRANCE TO BALCONY HOUSE

BALCONY HOUSE IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING AND BEST PRESERVED Photograph by Pen Dike Studio

THE INTERIOR OF A SACRED KIVA

STONE CHAIRS FOUND AT THE CLIFF PALACE Photograph by Mrs. C. R. Miller