poshuouinge ruins

If you're new to pueblo ruins, you might want to start elsewhere. This is an unexcavated site. Meaning, you can see the outline of the pueblo, but much of it is still underground for preservation. The hike is a steep climb at some points but overall it's lower to moderately challenging. We made it with no problem, and we're not in the best shape. Round trip hike is probably about a mile or two, maybe a little more. If you don't miss the turnoff from the main road, it's a beautiful hike and a brilliant site to see from the hilltop. There are pottery shards everywhere. And though they're breathtaking, please let that be all that's taken. Leave the pottery there. Not only is it illegal, it's disrespectful to the puebloan people.

If you can find the turnoff down from Bode's, park in the almost always vacant gravel lot and do the short uphill traverse hike to the mesa. Unless you've been here before you might not know what to look for but to your left are the remains of , what was once, a sizable village. Signs don't discourage you from looking but this is federal land and I'd be real careful about taking any shards, fossils, or other noticeable items without a permit. Walk around and you night find the remnants of a kiva. Afterwards, hike up to the shelter on the other side of the fencing (there's a passage) so you can get an oblique look at the site. If you still have energy and time, follow the trail to the ridge top where you will find a map display as well as, probably, a local, enjoying the view and monitoring your behavior. The view from here is real cool and shows the village outline real well.

There are no really standing structures, but you can see from the land what was going on. A lot of interesting things are found on the ground. I picked up a small purple rock only to find it was an amethyst ear ring. I wondered who was the pretty indian maiden who was wearing it when it was lost. Well worth spending some time at the ruin.

So we (2 Adults, 4 boy scouts) hiked up the 1.5 miles to the top and the word "lame" was heard. Then we saw the sign (picture) that showed the remains of an ancient civilization. Then, we saw the outline of the site and was even more amazed. We hiked down and explored the grounds and saw shards of ancient pottery (left in place). We were amazed at this site and the fact that the artifacts aren't logged and stored somewhere important. My advice to any parents, don't tell the kids what they will see, let it be a surprise. An amazing place.

Although the history is fascinating, you only see a footprint of the ruins from far away. After visiting other amazing archeological sites in New Mexico, these ruins, unfortunately paled by comparison

Hidden treasure! Wear comfortable shoes, but a fairy easy hike....You would never guess that this exists until you park your car and take the short walk to witness the view.

We hiked the trail then went to the actual ruin site (not on the trail.) It was incredible to walk around and examine the beautiful pottery sherds laying around and to discover lithic sites as well.

We enjoyed hiking to the top of the mountian. but the ruins were not what we expected or hoped for.