Arizona

February 25, 2006

When I went to the Canyon de Chelly, I stopped at the Hubbell Trading Post on the way. Once at the Canyon, I stayed at the Thunderbird Lodge, which is the only lodging located within the park. Then I made the mistake (see below) of going to the Four Corners instead of hiking down into the canyon.

Hubbell Trading Post

On my way to Chinle, AZ, where the Canyon de Chelly is located, I went through Ganado and stopped at the Hubbell Trading Post. This is the oldest continuously operated trading post on the Navajo Reservation. The trading post is still active and is now operated by a non-profit organization that maintains the trading traditions the Hubbell family established.

Hubbell Trading Post

Views around the Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post — notice the cat in the doorway

Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post — horses in the corrall

Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post

Hubbell Trading Post — inside the stable

Hubbell Trading Post — the entrance

Inside the Hubbell Trading Post

Thunderbird Lodge

I did a search for lodging at Canyon de Chelly and came up with the Thunderbird Lodge, which is the only lodging located within the park. I was prepared for it being old and possibly run down, but was mildly surprised to find it a very nice, well maintained place to stay.

It was dusk when I arrived

Views at the Thunderbird Lodge

Views at the Thunderbird Lodge

Rooms at the Thunderbird Lodge

Four Corners

I debated whether to hike down to the White House ruin or drive to the Four Corners area. I decided on the Four Corners.

Recommendation: DO NOT BOTHER TO GO TO THE FOUR CORNERS. There is nothing there except for the monument in the photos below. There is not even a restaurant or snack bar or a place to buy drinks. There were a few Native American stands with some souvenirs, but that is it.

If I had it to do over, I would hike down to the White House ruin, which is the only area where you can go down into the canyon on your own. Part of the reason I chose to go to the four corners area is because I had set up a jeep ride into the canyon ahead of time. Once I got there it turned out that I was the only one signed up for the ride and they wanted to charge me about four times the original amount to take the ride, so I declined.

A sign near the Four Corners

It's pretty isolated around the Four Corners area

The entrance to the Four Corners

Here is a view of the monument

This is the spot where the four states all come together

These photos were taken from the center of the monument looking out toward the four states

Utah

Colorado

New Mexico

Arizona

Most of these stalls were empty
There were a few Native Americans selling souvenirs in a couple of them