Trail Links:
Canyon de Chelly - Guided Overnight 4WD Tour of Canyon Interior
Wednesday, July 10-11, 2012
This adventure inside Canyon de Chelly was the highlight trip of the week with an opportunity to see a number of Native American archeological sites up close from perspectives not available to those who confine their trips to the canyon rims. We were guided on this trip by three certified Navajo guides who traveled with our group, in our Syncros.
NOTICE: Pets not allowed inside Canyon de Chelly
Tour Overview:
4x4 trips inside the canyon must be guided by National Park Service Certified Navajo Guides.
Our three guides were Cynthia Hunter, her sister Sylvia and their mother Sally. These guides were highly recommended by Overland Journal Publisher, Scott Brady and were mentioned in the journal's Summer 2010 issue. Having these guides really added to the trip. Both Sally and Sylvia were actually born inside the canyon and Sally capticated us with stories of canyon life when she grew up there. They rode in our vehicles and used our radios to narrate while we drive. We enjoyed frequent stops to get out and see ruins, petroglyphs and other sites of acrheological, scenic or gelologic interest.
We first traveled up the southern canyon branch, specifically Canyon de Chelly, on Tuesday, July 10th and camped overnight at the base of Spider Rock on private property (by permission). We enjoyed a traditiional Navajo meal of Navajo "tacos" and mutton stew prepared on the spot for us by our guides an their family. After dinner we were treated to a private exhibition of authentic Pow Wow dancing, including descriptions the dances, their regalia, and history.
Itinerary & Details:
Tuesday, July 10th
8:30 AM Leave Camp (Well, that was the plan! Insert 1 hour repair of Jim's Syncro here!)
9:30 AM Really begin tour
Traveled inside the canyon to junction, then into the south branch of the canyon,
Canyon de Chelly. Visited ruins & sites along the way to White House Ruins.
1:00 - 2:00-ish Lunch at White House Ruins
Continue through Canyon de Chelly, past other ruins & sites to Spider Rock
4:00 PM Arrive at Spider Rock
Camping:
See the Camp Syncro page for more details.
Camping at Spider Rock on private Navajo property, by permission.
There is no water or other facilities here.
Camping area is generally level and large enough for 20 vehicles and tents.
Bring your own portable potty for the trip inside the canyon.
Dinner: 6:30PM
We enjoyed a Navajo dinner cooked for us at our campsite.
Menu: Navajo Tacos, Mutton Stew
Verdict: Fun and delicious. Those fry-bread Navajo tacos are amazing!
Pow Wow Dancers: 7:00 - 9:00PM
We were treated to the Pow Wow dancing of 6 Navajo dancers who not only demonstrated authentic Navajo dances, but also taught us a bit about Navajo tradition, dance history, the significance of their dances, and their regalia.
Campfire:
Conditions and rules did not permit a campfire on our trip.
Wednesday, July 11th
9:00 - Depart Spider Rock area
Guide Service: Travel past White House Ruins to the junction and then north into Canyon Del Muerto
Stops at Antelope House Ruins, Standing Cow Ruins and other sites leading to Mummy Cave Ruins where we'll turn around.
1:00-ish Lunch stop along the way somewhere
Return to the junction and then back to the Visitor's Center
6:00PM Exit Canyon
Duration: 9 hours
Costs:
In case you're planning a trip similar to ours, this cost information may help.
Tuesday, July 10th
Guide Service Cost:
$20/hr for 1st vehicle
$5/hr additional vehicles up to 5 total
8 hrs x $40/hour = $320for each 5 vehicles, $960 for 15 vehicles
Camping cost:
$30 per group of 5 vehicles for permit to NPS. $90 total permit fee
$30 per group of 5 vehicles to land owner. $90 total camping fee
Total camping costs for 1 night: $180 for 15 vehicles
Dinner cost:
$10/person + tips if we bring our own plates, utensils, drinks.
Pow Wow Dancers cost:
$75 per dancer. For 6 dancers this totals $450 + tips.
Wednesday, July 11th
Guide Service Cost:
$20/hr for 1st vehicle
$5/hr additional vehicles up to 5 total
9 hrs x $40/hour = $360 for each 5 vehicles, $1,080 for 15 vehicles
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Here’s some trail information excerpted from published sources:
(Mostly excerpted from Massey & Wilson "Backcountry Adventures Arizona")
NE Region # 45 - Canyon de Chelly
Total Miles: 24 to 50 depending on plan
Unpaved Miles: 24 to 50 depending on plan
Driving Time: 3 to 8 hours
Elevation: 5,500 – 6,200 ft
Difficulty Rating: 5
Scenic Rating: 10
Special Attractions: A rare chance to explore a beautiful canyon in the company of a Navajo guide.
Many cliff dwellings pictographs, and petroglyphs
Personal guided tour of the canyon in your own vehicle
Canyon de Chelly is best known for its strikingly red, sheer cliffs streaked by desert varnish. Two forces - stream cutting and land uplifting - created the cliff walls of this marvelous canyon. The canyon walls are made of sandstone from the de Chelly Formation. The canyon depth ranges from 30 feet to 1,000 feet. Canyon del Muerto, the principal tributary of Canyon de Chelly, received its name when James Stevenson, with the Smithsonian Institution expedition, found the remains of prehistoric Indians burials. The name means "canyon of the dead."
Canyon de Chelly is actually a Spanish corruption of the Navajo word tsegi (or tseyt), which means "rock canyon" or "in the rock." Over time the pronunciation of the word "de Chelly" has changed from "day shay-yee" to "d'SHAY." Chinle, the name of the town just west of the canyon comes from another Navajo word, ch'inli', which simply refers to the mouth of the canyon. In 1882, this town began as a trading post but over the years has grown into a larger town, currently serving as the gateway to Canyon de Chelly.
Canyon de Chelly is as rich in history as it is in beauty. The ruins and rock art of a people referred to as Basketmakers can be found here. These people, who lived between A.D. 750 and 1300. Drought then ravaged the land, and it is possible thst this drought drove the Pueblo people to abandone their cliff dwellings. A myriad of other conjectures have been offered to explain their dissappearance, including overcrowding, disease, and war. They scattered across the Southwest, becoming the ancestors for some of Arizona's and New Mexico's Pueblo Indians. The Navajo, the next people to inhabit this colorful canyon, arrived around A.D. 1700. Their tranquility was deystroyed first by other Indians, then by encroaching Spanish settlers, and finally by the U.S. Army. A year after their defeat in 1863, the Navajo were forced out of their homeland in a bitter march known as "The Long Walk." On June 1, 1868, a peace treaty signed between the Navajo and the United States permitted them to return to their homeland, beautiful Canyon de Chelly.
Description
Canyon de Chelly is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring settings in Arizona. Part of the magic arises from the towering sandstone walls and spires, the ancient ruins, and a sandy, winding trail; but Canyon de Chelly is more than just scenery. The Dine', as the Navajo people call themselves, continue to live in the canyon and the surrounding area, and the glimpse thast we are allowed into their lives enhances an already special experience.
The trail is different than all others in this book in thst you are not permitted to enter the canyon unless a Navajo guide accompanies you. This requirement includes vehicle touring, hiking, and horseback riding. The only exception to this rule is the White House Ruin Trail, accessed from the South Rim Drive.
<snip>
The minimum amount of time required is three hours, which is barely enough to scratch the surface of what the canyon offers. Six hours allows for a leisurely tour to the end of Canyon del Muerto and back and partway up Canyon de Chelly. Both canyons have a lot to offer.
<snip>
The trail commences a short distance past the visitor center, turning off the paved road into the sandy mouth of the canyon. This first section is what gives the trail its difficulty rating of 5. The sand is very loose and extremely deep and limits this trail to high-clearance 4WD vehicles only. Lower tire pressures are recommended. At this stage the canyon is shallow, but quickly deepens as you progress.
In Canyon del Muerto the track becomes easier and the sand less deep. The trail turns into a formed dirt trail that winds through the deepening canyon, past many cliff dewllings, rock formations, petroglyphs, and pictographs. Your guide will direct you to the best ones. At many of the larger ruins, such as Antelpoe House Ruin, people (ofetn children) sell jewelry and souvenirs. If you buy from the people in the canyon, all of the profits go directly to the Navajo themselves. However, quality can vary widely. Thje vehicle trail in Canyon del Muerto ends at Mummy Cave, one of the largest ancient Pueblo ruins in the canyon.
<snip>
The spur that travels up Canyon de Chelly passes famous White House Ruin as well as the base of Spider Woman Rock. In either case, you return the way you came in. A gratuity is appropriate. One guide can escort multiple vehicles, although for maximum benefit it helps if they are equipped with CB radios to share the commentary.
This adventure inside Canyon de Chelly was the highlight trip of the week with an opportunity to see a number of Native American archeological sites up close from perspectives not available to those who confine their trips to the canyon rims. We were guided on this trip by three certified Navajo guides who traveled with our group, in our Syncros.
NOTICE: Pets not allowed inside Canyon de Chelly
Tour Overview:
4x4 trips inside the canyon must be guided by National Park Service Certified Navajo Guides.
Our three guides were Cynthia Hunter, her sister Sylvia and their mother Sally. These guides were highly recommended by Overland Journal Publisher, Scott Brady and were mentioned in the journal's Summer 2010 issue. Having these guides really added to the trip. Both Sally and Sylvia were actually born inside the canyon and Sally capticated us with stories of canyon life when she grew up there. They rode in our vehicles and used our radios to narrate while we drive. We enjoyed frequent stops to get out and see ruins, petroglyphs and other sites of acrheological, scenic or gelologic interest.
We first traveled up the southern canyon branch, specifically Canyon de Chelly, on Tuesday, July 10th and camped overnight at the base of Spider Rock on private property (by permission). We enjoyed a traditiional Navajo meal of Navajo "tacos" and mutton stew prepared on the spot for us by our guides an their family. After dinner we were treated to a private exhibition of authentic Pow Wow dancing, including descriptions the dances, their regalia, and history.
Itinerary & Details:
Tuesday, July 10th
8:30 AM Leave Camp (Well, that was the plan! Insert 1 hour repair of Jim's Syncro here!)
9:30 AM Really begin tour
Traveled inside the canyon to junction, then into the south branch of the canyon,
Canyon de Chelly. Visited ruins & sites along the way to White House Ruins.
1:00 - 2:00-ish Lunch at White House Ruins
Continue through Canyon de Chelly, past other ruins & sites to Spider Rock
4:00 PM Arrive at Spider Rock
Camping:
See the Camp Syncro page for more details.
Camping at Spider Rock on private Navajo property, by permission.
There is no water or other facilities here.
Camping area is generally level and large enough for 20 vehicles and tents.
Bring your own portable potty for the trip inside the canyon.
Dinner: 6:30PM
We enjoyed a Navajo dinner cooked for us at our campsite.
Menu: Navajo Tacos, Mutton Stew
Verdict: Fun and delicious. Those fry-bread Navajo tacos are amazing!
Pow Wow Dancers: 7:00 - 9:00PM
We were treated to the Pow Wow dancing of 6 Navajo dancers who not only demonstrated authentic Navajo dances, but also taught us a bit about Navajo tradition, dance history, the significance of their dances, and their regalia.
Campfire:
Conditions and rules did not permit a campfire on our trip.
Wednesday, July 11th
9:00 - Depart Spider Rock area
Guide Service: Travel past White House Ruins to the junction and then north into Canyon Del Muerto
Stops at Antelope House Ruins, Standing Cow Ruins and other sites leading to Mummy Cave Ruins where we'll turn around.
1:00-ish Lunch stop along the way somewhere
Return to the junction and then back to the Visitor's Center
6:00PM Exit Canyon
Duration: 9 hours
Costs:
In case you're planning a trip similar to ours, this cost information may help.
Tuesday, July 10th
Guide Service Cost:
$20/hr for 1st vehicle
$5/hr additional vehicles up to 5 total
8 hrs x $40/hour = $320for each 5 vehicles, $960 for 15 vehicles
Camping cost:
$30 per group of 5 vehicles for permit to NPS. $90 total permit fee
$30 per group of 5 vehicles to land owner. $90 total camping fee
Total camping costs for 1 night: $180 for 15 vehicles
Dinner cost:
$10/person + tips if we bring our own plates, utensils, drinks.
Pow Wow Dancers cost:
$75 per dancer. For 6 dancers this totals $450 + tips.
Wednesday, July 11th
Guide Service Cost:
$20/hr for 1st vehicle
$5/hr additional vehicles up to 5 total
9 hrs x $40/hour = $360 for each 5 vehicles, $1,080 for 15 vehicles
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Here’s some trail information excerpted from published sources:
(Mostly excerpted from Massey & Wilson "Backcountry Adventures Arizona")
NE Region # 45 - Canyon de Chelly
Total Miles: 24 to 50 depending on plan
Unpaved Miles: 24 to 50 depending on plan
Driving Time: 3 to 8 hours
Elevation: 5,500 – 6,200 ft
Difficulty Rating: 5
Scenic Rating: 10
Special Attractions: A rare chance to explore a beautiful canyon in the company of a Navajo guide.
Many cliff dwellings pictographs, and petroglyphs
Personal guided tour of the canyon in your own vehicle
Canyon de Chelly is best known for its strikingly red, sheer cliffs streaked by desert varnish. Two forces - stream cutting and land uplifting - created the cliff walls of this marvelous canyon. The canyon walls are made of sandstone from the de Chelly Formation. The canyon depth ranges from 30 feet to 1,000 feet. Canyon del Muerto, the principal tributary of Canyon de Chelly, received its name when James Stevenson, with the Smithsonian Institution expedition, found the remains of prehistoric Indians burials. The name means "canyon of the dead."
Canyon de Chelly is actually a Spanish corruption of the Navajo word tsegi (or tseyt), which means "rock canyon" or "in the rock." Over time the pronunciation of the word "de Chelly" has changed from "day shay-yee" to "d'SHAY." Chinle, the name of the town just west of the canyon comes from another Navajo word, ch'inli', which simply refers to the mouth of the canyon. In 1882, this town began as a trading post but over the years has grown into a larger town, currently serving as the gateway to Canyon de Chelly.
Canyon de Chelly is as rich in history as it is in beauty. The ruins and rock art of a people referred to as Basketmakers can be found here. These people, who lived between A.D. 750 and 1300. Drought then ravaged the land, and it is possible thst this drought drove the Pueblo people to abandone their cliff dwellings. A myriad of other conjectures have been offered to explain their dissappearance, including overcrowding, disease, and war. They scattered across the Southwest, becoming the ancestors for some of Arizona's and New Mexico's Pueblo Indians. The Navajo, the next people to inhabit this colorful canyon, arrived around A.D. 1700. Their tranquility was deystroyed first by other Indians, then by encroaching Spanish settlers, and finally by the U.S. Army. A year after their defeat in 1863, the Navajo were forced out of their homeland in a bitter march known as "The Long Walk." On June 1, 1868, a peace treaty signed between the Navajo and the United States permitted them to return to their homeland, beautiful Canyon de Chelly.
Description
Canyon de Chelly is one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring settings in Arizona. Part of the magic arises from the towering sandstone walls and spires, the ancient ruins, and a sandy, winding trail; but Canyon de Chelly is more than just scenery. The Dine', as the Navajo people call themselves, continue to live in the canyon and the surrounding area, and the glimpse thast we are allowed into their lives enhances an already special experience.
The trail is different than all others in this book in thst you are not permitted to enter the canyon unless a Navajo guide accompanies you. This requirement includes vehicle touring, hiking, and horseback riding. The only exception to this rule is the White House Ruin Trail, accessed from the South Rim Drive.
<snip>
The minimum amount of time required is three hours, which is barely enough to scratch the surface of what the canyon offers. Six hours allows for a leisurely tour to the end of Canyon del Muerto and back and partway up Canyon de Chelly. Both canyons have a lot to offer.
<snip>
The trail commences a short distance past the visitor center, turning off the paved road into the sandy mouth of the canyon. This first section is what gives the trail its difficulty rating of 5. The sand is very loose and extremely deep and limits this trail to high-clearance 4WD vehicles only. Lower tire pressures are recommended. At this stage the canyon is shallow, but quickly deepens as you progress.
In Canyon del Muerto the track becomes easier and the sand less deep. The trail turns into a formed dirt trail that winds through the deepening canyon, past many cliff dewllings, rock formations, petroglyphs, and pictographs. Your guide will direct you to the best ones. At many of the larger ruins, such as Antelpoe House Ruin, people (ofetn children) sell jewelry and souvenirs. If you buy from the people in the canyon, all of the profits go directly to the Navajo themselves. However, quality can vary widely. Thje vehicle trail in Canyon del Muerto ends at Mummy Cave, one of the largest ancient Pueblo ruins in the canyon.
<snip>
The spur that travels up Canyon de Chelly passes famous White House Ruin as well as the base of Spider Woman Rock. In either case, you return the way you came in. A gratuity is appropriate. One guide can escort multiple vehicles, although for maximum benefit it helps if they are equipped with CB radios to share the commentary.
DIFFICULTY RATINGS
[The information below is mostly excerpted from Massey & Wilson's "Backcountry Adventures" book series difficulty ratings so you'll know how to interpret the ratings above. Ratings or 4-5 seem best suited for what might be called "mild to moderate, family friendly 4-wheeling" in a Syncro.]
1 [Graded dirt]
2 High-clearance 4WD preferred, not necessary. These trails are dirt roads, but may have rocks, grades, water crossings, or ruts that make clearance a concern in a normal passenger vehicle.
3 High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
4 High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Expect a rough road surface with rocks larger than 6 inches, but there will be a reasonable driving line Patches of mud are possible but can be readily negotiated; sand may be deep and require lower tire pressures. There may be stream crossings up to 12 inches deep, substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades, and sections of moderately loose road surface.
5 High-clearance 4WDs are required. These trails have either a rough, rutted surface, rocks up to 9 inches, mud and deep sand that may be impassable for inexperienced drivers, or stream crossings up to 18 inches deep. Certain sections may be steep enough to cause traction problems, and you may encounter very narrow shelf roads with steep drop-offs and tight clearance between rocks or trees.
6 These trails are for experienced four-wheel drivers only. They are potentially dangerous, with large rocks, ruts, or terraces that may need to be negotiated. They may also have stream crossings at least 18 inches deep, involve rapid currents, unstable stream bottoms, or difficult access; steep slopes, loose surfaces, and narrow clearances; or very narrow sections of shelf road with steep drop-offs and potentially challenging road surfaces.
7 through 10 [Not considered for Syncro Safari routes so their descriptions are not depicted here.]
END EXCERPT
1 [Graded dirt]
2 High-clearance 4WD preferred, not necessary. These trails are dirt roads, but may have rocks, grades, water crossings, or ruts that make clearance a concern in a normal passenger vehicle.
3 High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
4 High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Expect a rough road surface with rocks larger than 6 inches, but there will be a reasonable driving line Patches of mud are possible but can be readily negotiated; sand may be deep and require lower tire pressures. There may be stream crossings up to 12 inches deep, substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades, and sections of moderately loose road surface.
5 High-clearance 4WDs are required. These trails have either a rough, rutted surface, rocks up to 9 inches, mud and deep sand that may be impassable for inexperienced drivers, or stream crossings up to 18 inches deep. Certain sections may be steep enough to cause traction problems, and you may encounter very narrow shelf roads with steep drop-offs and tight clearance between rocks or trees.
6 These trails are for experienced four-wheel drivers only. They are potentially dangerous, with large rocks, ruts, or terraces that may need to be negotiated. They may also have stream crossings at least 18 inches deep, involve rapid currents, unstable stream bottoms, or difficult access; steep slopes, loose surfaces, and narrow clearances; or very narrow sections of shelf road with steep drop-offs and potentially challenging road surfaces.
7 through 10 [Not considered for Syncro Safari routes so their descriptions are not depicted here.]
END EXCERPT