Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

 We hiked the Sand Canyon trail north to the most northern blue connector trail west to the East Rock Creek trail. We followed that south to the blue connector trail east. In total, it took us 3 and 1/2 hours  in 29 to 33 degree heat to hike these trails. Temperature between the valley and the mesa changed from very hot to hot with a breeze.  The trailhead sign advised hikers to hike with a gallon of water (3.79 L). Together, we  had 2.15 L, 2 sandwiches and a container of grapes. We sipped our last bit of water twenty minutes before we arrived at our truck. We had two plums stashed in our cooler bag.
Once my water ran out, I started visioning my share of the plum stash. We stopped at the nearest convenience store and each guzzled a bottle of gatorade. Liquid reinforcements continue.

This is near the beginning of the trail.

Cacti are a very adaptable plant. They grew plentifully along the trail (incentive to stay on the trail!). We saw several burnt trees, guessing lightning. Notice the cacti flourishing.

Inhabited by Puebloan people sometime between 700 to 1300.

                                                              Nature's air conditioning

                                         

Amazing colors

                                     At the end of our hike, five minutes from the trailhead