BLOG 16: Canyon de Chelly

The visit to Canyon de Chelly (pronunciation: Canyon de Shay – from Navajo Tséyi` = rock canyon) is one of the highlights of our trip.

On the first day, we take a Jeep with a Navajo guide into the southern canyon to the famous rock formation "Spider Rock" – a natural sanctuary of the Navajo. The round trip, including stops, takes just over 5 hours – a delight for Gerhard, who is a 4WD off-road enthusiast, and Cosima joins in...

In 1931, Canyon de Chelly was designated a National Monument. It is managed by the National Park Service, but the land does not belong to them, rather to the Navajo, who are the only ones allowed to serve as guides; without a Navajo guide, one cannot enter or travel the canyon.

The three main canyons are Canyon de Chelly, approximately 43 km long, Canyon del Muerto, 29 km long, and Monument Canyon, 16 km long.

In the canyons, there are numerous signs of human settlements indicating early habitation over 4500 years ago.

Main attractions include:

Spider Rock – two rock spires about 240 meters high are the landmark of Canyon de Chelly. In Navajo mythology, the peaks are the home of the Spider Woman. According to tribal myths, she taught the people the art of weaving and is still revered for it, but she is also said to consume disobedient children (The white peaks are, according to tradition, the bones of those children).

White House Ruin – a small settlement built about 1000 years ago during the early Pueblo culture. It consists of two parts, one at the foot of the cliff and a second a few meters higher in a rock nook. The outer wall of the upper dwelling is made of white stone, hence the name.

Our guide not only tells us the story of the Spider Woman in great detail but also recalls the disgraceful actions of Kit Carson in 1863/1864; one of his ancestors was among the few Navajo who managed to escape under the leadership of Chief Manuelito. As a "White Man," one does not feel particularly good about these stories.

The next day, on our way to Santa Fe, we drive along the “South Rim Panorama Road,” which follows the edge of the canyon rim. The view from above of Spider Rock is something truly special!