tL's phOTOGRAPH_oF_tHE_dAY #1971 - Walnut Canyon National Monument was proclaimed in 1915 to preserve the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua Indians in north central Arizona.
The canyon rimis 6,690 feet above sea level; the canyon's floor is 350 feet lower. A 1 mile walking trai loops and descends 185 feet into the canyon passing 25 cliff dwelling rooms constructed by the Sinagua dynasty.
Sinagua is Spanish for "without-water" and the tribe were able to thrive in this dry region & became experts at conserving water and dealing with droughts.
The Sinaguas left mysteriously around 1250 CE. It is believed that the Sinagua departed because of fear of neighboring tribes or droughts. The disappearance of the Sinagua left over 80 cliff dwellings behind; small, but large enough for the inhabitants to cook and sleep.
Because of the area's dry climate, the water present in the canyon was essential for its inhabitants over 700 years ago just as it is for the animal and plant life there today.
Plant life is very diverse in Walnut Canyon, with more than 387 different plant species, including Arizona black walnut, Agaves, a variety of Cacti, Ponderosa Pine trees and Firs. High concentrations of sensitive plant species still abound, contributors to the decisions made by prehistoric people to settle in this area.
A variety of archeological and natural resources of Kaibab limestone and geographic crossbedding of Coconino Sandstones as seen 10 miles southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona.
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