General view of canyon. From this point you will observe that the canyon
makes a large "horse shoe" bend leaving an "Island" connected to this
side by the narrow neck of land we call the "Saddle." It is in this
small section of the canyon that there is the heaviest concentration of
prehistoric cliff-dwellings.
From here you are able to discern the distinctly different types of
vegetation growing on opposite sides of the canyon. On the north side
(or southern exposure) we see many of the desert type plants native to
southern Arizona. On the other side we have the types common in the
higher and colder elevations.
Walnut Creek, the stream which cut the canyon, was dammed in 1904 to
form Lake Mary which supplies the city of Flagstaff; otherwise there
would be a running stream in the canyon today. The early Pueblo Indians
probably picked the canyon for their homes for this reason.
They farmed the mesa tops. The natural caves formed by erosion furnished
ideal roofs, as well as protection from enemies and comparatively easy
access to domestic water supply.
_You will now take the trail, to your left, which will lead you to the
next stake at the "Saddle." The trail is steep and there are several
flights of stone steps. It is quite safe, but we urge you to use care in
your descent._