Betatakin

[AlanLichty]

Betatakin (also known as Talastima or Place of the Blue Corn Tassels to the Hopi) is one of the cliff dwelling complexes at Navajo National Monument which is a short drive from US160 between Page and Kayenta. These dwellings are known in oral traditions for both the Zuni and Hopi tribes with clan symbols for the Deer, Fire, Flute, and Water Clans.

The other primary cliff dwelling in this monument is known as Keet Seel or Kawestima (Hopi name) which was home to the Fire, Flute, and Bighorn Sheep Clans. Another set of ruins in the area is known as the Inscription House or Tsu'ovi and was home to the Rattlesnake, Sand, and Lizard Clans.

Access to the ruins is open to all visitors from a distance or by guided tours. Unfortunately my travel habits typically have me in the area in the spring before the guided tours have started so I was unable to go on any of the trails that would let me get closer. Keet Seel was high on my list when I visited and to best I could do was to stare at the dioramas in the visitor center.

These images are from the Sandal Trail overlook to the Betatakin dwellings.

The overlook:

And a closer view with 800mm worth of lens:

Betatakin

• AlanLichty
• Mar 24, 2018

Ancestral Puebloan ruins at Navajo National Monument.

C&C always welcome.

 

[Mike Mancil]

Wow, those guys really knew how to pick a great spot to live. That’s an impressively sharp 800 shot.

 

[Ben Egbert]

Nice images, and it looks really wel protected from the elements.

 

[JimFox]

Hey Alan,

Thanks for the wide perspective and the tighter view. I really like the detail in the close up, but seeing what looks like an outcropping in the middle of no where is interesting too.

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Another great job of photography, Alan. I have been down to Betatakin, however, I have I always wanted to get to Keet Seel but have never been able to get there. I would love to see some of your images of that ruin if you have them.

 

[AlanLichty]

Another great job of photography, Alan. I have been down to Betatakin, however, I have I always wanted to get to Keet Seel but have never been able to get there. I would love to see some of your images of that ruin if you have them.

Wish I did have some Keet Seel images - the ruin trails don't open until late May. My usual travel season for that area has me home well before prime tourist season starts on Memorial Day. I am planning on being down in NW New Mexico starting around the third week of April but will head back home before the end of May. Kind of a shame since it's easy to take a path right by there on the way home and that route gives me an excuse to stop at Bryce along the way.

 

[MonikaC]

Like you, Alan, I'm never there during the tour season. I've been wanting to see both/either of them, but I guess not enough to go during those hot months. Thanks for posting these teasers!