The Arizona Forest Trail That Holds A Long Forgotten Secret Of Arizona's Earliest Residents
By Katie Lawrence|Published October 05, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Exploring ancient ruins often requires lots of strenuous hiking, but there’s one archaeological site in Arizona that’s accessible via a short-and-sweet, quarter-mile stroll. Located in Flagstaff, the Elden Pueblo Heritage Site showcases how the Sinagua people, some of the area’s very first residents, lived. It’s a truly fascinating experience and one that can be enjoyed by all skill levels.
Nestled in the Coconino National Forest, the Elden Pueblo Heritage Site was inhabited by the Sinagua people from about 1070 until 1275 A.D.
It's amazing to see just how skilled these ancestral people were at building sound structures that would hold their own in the harsh elements of the desert.
Experts believe the Elden Pueblo was part of a complex trading network, as items from places like Mexico and the California coastline have been unearthed here.
Recent discoveries at the site also suggest that the eruption of the Sunset Crater volcano might have occurred over a much longer time period than what was previously believed.
As with any archaeological site, it's important to be respectful and appreciate the sacred nature of the ruins.
Since all tours of the pueblo are self-guided, there are no set hours for visitation.
Click here to learn more about the Elden Pueblo Heritage Site.
Have you ever visited this fascinating ancient ruin in Arizona? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section. Tell us how it went, then check out our previous article for more hikes in Arizona that lead to ancient ruins.
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