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Mesa Verde National Park - I Toured Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Square Tower House

Through My Lens

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Mesa Verde National Park isn't like the other parks in my National Park series; it wasn't set aside to protect a mountain or a canyon, it was set aside to protect a city and the remains of an ancient culture. In this video I'm exploring Mesa Verde's cliff dwellings up close, from the massive scale of Cliff Palace to the ladders and tunnel adventure of touring Balcony House, plus the overlooks and mysteries most visitors drive right past, like the strange unfinished Sun Temple.

We loved our time in the park, let us know what you think if you have been and what your favorite tour was.

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:33 Getting to Mesa Verde
0:55 Viewpoints Driving into the Park
1:45 Map of the Park
2:01 Exploring Mesa Top
3:30 Square Tower House Tour
6:50 Square Tower House Overlook
7:25 More Mesa Top Loop Ruins
8:00 Cliff Palace Tour
12:15 Cliff Palace Loop Viewpoints
12:54 Balcony House Tour
17:10 Park Museum & Passport Stamps
18:28 Park Restaurant
18:50 More Mesa Top Loop Sites
20:26 Sun Point View
21:27 Sun Temple
22:26 Tips for Visiting Mesa Verde National Park

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20 Comments

@RonaldBrown59 3 days ago

That Cliff Palace was amazing. Thanks for sharing.

@TM_expeditions 6 days ago

This guide perfectly captures the intentional beauty of Mesa Verde.
Timeless history like this reminds us why we wander. Thank you.

@popshiking 5 days ago

Such a fascinating place to visit. So different from any other National Parks I have seen. Josh does a great job helping the viewer to experience the 3 hikes!

@rhondaz356 6 days ago (edited)

WOW, that park must be fascinating.
The history alone is amazing. I can only imagine being there, in person. I absolutely love evidence of ancient civilizations.🔥
Thank you so much, Josh and Pops.
Your coverage was phenomenal, as always, especially considering the challenges of the climbs, etc.
Thank you for taking us with you🥇🥇

@bevcangelosi340 6 days ago

Pops you have a very brave son there! I’m almost 70 and maybe I’d do that hike when I was younger but not now. We love all your amazing,interesting videos from some really amazing guys…. Keep on smiling… God bless you and keep you both safe!

@BeammeupSpotty 6 days ago

wow. at my age i'm thinking i'm not going to make it to 50+ national parks, so i appreciate you going for me, and climbing the ladders too. ha.

@AdventuresofMomDadGirland3Dogs 6 days ago

Great video!! We absolutely loved Mesa Verde National Park! It is one of my teenage daughter's favorite National Parks. You definitely felt the culture there. We both agree – the balcony house tour was incredible!! 💚

@morrowaviation 6 days ago

Pops is humbly pleased and appreciative of his 40. Well done gents, thanks for another good one.

@xamargalber8088 7 days ago

WOW!😱 AWESOME! 🤩

@jeanettewaverly2590 7 days ago (edited)

Ohhhh thank you for showcasing this amazing and unique park! I worked there as an interpreter ranger for several summers and one winter. Led many Cliff Palace and Balcony House tours and spent countless hours on duty at Spruce Tree House before it was closed due to concerns about the stability of the alcove ceiling above the structures. They weren’t doing tours to Square Tower House in those days, and I’m thrilled that those have resumed now. Of the many, many memorable moments I cherish from my time there was a Cliff Palace tour that included a family from one of the current, living, Pueblos in New Mexico. I asked the husband if he would like to say a few words about Cliff Palace, and he shared that his lineage used to live there. As he spoke, he teared up with emotion. The rest of the visitors on the tour stood transfixed by the power and poignancy of the moment. It brought the humanity of the experience home to us all.

@melindacohea127 7 days ago

I’ve been giving this one to miss, because I cannot climb stairs. But your detailed information has changed my mind. When the visitor center is completed and reopens I plan on making this one of my stops. thank you for these informative national park tours. It’s super helpful.

@adriennelarosa4847 3 days ago

Thank you for doing this. So amazing! And as many times as I have been to Colorado, there is no way I could be on one of these tours! But I get to see all of this anyway!!!

@mo-b-812 7 days ago

This is one of my favorite national parks. So unique and I didn't know what to expect beforehand. Glad you got to do so many tours and Pops got to enjoy it despite the heights/ladders.

@kathymccall218 7 days ago

You absolutely amaze me in your ability to hold a camera and film while taking a "death-defying" (!) hike!!! Excellent presentation by both of you! Many thanks ❤😊

@mindiwilhelm4322 4 days ago

We stayed in the lodge in the park. At night when it was really dark, we heard a lot of noise. My husband turned on a light he brought with him. The hillside was filled with elk.

@Robert-Gulfstream 7 days ago

Hi Josh and Pops thanks for the great tour. We love national parks. Hope you guys are having an amazing weekend ❤❤

@bertolli6496 6 days ago

Welcome to Mesa Verde! I'm so glad you're doing a tour of beautiful Colorado.

@Lakesgirl1261 6 days ago

You and pops do a fantastic job at highlighting and giving tips. What a beautiful place . Thank you!❤

@susanf.3362 7 days ago

We loved Mesa Verde too.

@prowrestlingisart6742 6 days ago

I’m glad there is a viewing area for the Tower House since the actual reservations are so limited. But it’s limited for good reasons and helps preserve it for now and the future