El Morro National Monument

El Morro, which is Spanish for "the headland" or "the bluff", is a place with a rich and diverse history. A central theme of its history is centered around its valuable water source that was relied upon by those who lived here and travelers passing through to include ancestral Puebloans in the 14th century, Spaniards in the 17th century, and emigrants coming westward in the 19th century.

Headlands Trail

I followed this path from the mesa floor, up and across the top of the sandstone bluffs, and finally back down and around to the starting point. Over its two miles, I experienced the history of the ancient Puebloans, enjoyed the Mother Nature's unique touch on the natural landscape, and view the artwork and writings of countless peoples.

The route to the top of the bluffs included a climb over rock and installed stairs.

Approach to the Sandstone Bluffs

1 of 3 Sets of Stairs

Once on top, I followed markers and the trail etched into the rock.

Trail in the Sandstone Rock

The color of the rock was mostly tan or white depending on the layer I walked across.

White Streak atop the Tan Sandstone

Follow atop the White Rock

Mother Nature has a talented and unique approach to the shapes and designs she puts in the rock.

Human Eye

What Do You See in the Inkblots?

Microscopic Organisms

While I walked along the top, I viewed the surrounding area as well as a box canyon that wound its way into the bluffs.

View from the Top

Rock Spire in a Box Canyon

In one area, the bare rock gave way to soil in which desert plants thrived.

Desert Plants

Brown-Spined Prickly Pear Cactuses

After I made my way down off the bluffs, I came to probably El Morro's main attraction through the years, its pool of water. When full, it's about 12 feet deep and holds about 200,000 gallons.

Pool at Base of Bluffs

Traveler's Oasis

Atsinna Pueblo

Atsinna means "where pictures are on the rock". The ancestors of today's Zuni people occupied this sizable town of more than 800 rooms from about 1275 to 1400. Eighteen rooms were excavated in 1954, 1955, and 1961. Today, the focus at El Morro is on preservation rather than excavation.

Excavated Rooms

Round Kiva

Petroglyphs

The walls of the sandstone bluffs contain many petroglyphs. Here are a few of the best preserved.

Bighorn Sheep

Bear Paw

Hands and (maybe) Lizard

Footprints and (maybe) Mountains

Inscriptions

Many travelers left their names, dates, and sometimes words of posterity carved into the walls of El Morro. The following sample shows the diversity of those who came here.