El Morro National Monument
- New Mexico
 Rising
above the valley floor, a massive sandstone bluff was a welcome
landmark for weary travelers. Today called El Morro (or
Inscription Rock), it marked what became a popular campsite.
Prehistoric Indians were the first to find the waterhole hidden
at its base. After the Colorado Plateau was abandoned, people of
the Anasazi culture moved into the valley. Around A.D. 1375 they
began construction of two villages on top of the bluff. By the
1300s, at least 1500 people occupied the largest village, today
called A'ts'ina.
Perhaps seeking a better environment the Anasazi left their
homes by AD. 1400. For reasons unknown to us, they carved
figures, animals, birds, and geometric designs along the cliff.
Today these carvings, called petroglyphs, remind us that the
Anasazi were the first to leave their mark here.
March 11, 1583, found a Spanish expedition resting by the base
of the massive bluff. Noting the secluded pool, they named it
"El Estanque del Penol" (the waterhole of the rock).
Soon this place would become a popular campsite for the
Spaniards.
In 1598, Don Juan de Onate established the first Spanish colony
in what is now New Mexico. While exploring the vast territory,
Onate stopped at El Morro many times. However, it wasn't until
1605 he changed the sandstone face forever. On the 16th of
April, his discovery of the southern sea was deeply engraved in
the stone, recording his success for all to see.
As late as 1774 lengthy messages were carved by the Spaniards.
These historic writings, with words running together and unique
abbreviations, are a challenge for today's readers.
The late 1700s and early 1800s were a time of cultural and
political turmoil for New Mexico. Changing from a Mexican
republic to a United States territory, New Mexico played a major
role in west ward expansion.
US. military expeditions were sent to explore the new territory.
In September 1849, an Army lieutenant and an artist made their
camp at El Morro. The artist spent two days copying the
petroglyphs and Spanish messages. Lieutenant J.H. Simpson and
artist R.H. Kern recorded their visit becoming the first to
leave an English inscription on the bluff.
Attracted by the reliable waterhole, grass, and shelter, several
military expeditions encamped here. When the trails west opened,
pioneers and, later, railroad survey crews passed by. Many left
their autographs, carving their names, dates and hometowns into
the stone.
Today, some visitors can link their ancestry to names inscribed
upon El Morro.
Visitor Center
-- Your visit to El Morro begins here. Rangers are available to
answer your questions and orient you to the facilities and self
guiding trails. An entrance fee is required. Children under 17
are admitted free. U.S. citizens age 62 and older may purchase a
Golden Age Passport for a one-time fee of $10. Golden Eagle and
Golden Access passes are also issued and honored. An annual El
Morro Park Pass can also be purchased.
The Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 a.m to 7:00 pm from
Memorial Day through Labor Day and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm the
remainder of the year. The monument is closed Christmas and New
Year's Day.
Museum -- Exhibits located in the Visitor Center span 700
years of human history. A video program provides an introduction
to the area.
Self-Guiding Trails -- Two self guiding trails are
available. Inscription Trails is a 1/2 mile round trip walk on a
paved surface. The trail begins at the Visitor Center and takes
you to Inscription Rock where you can see petroglyphs, old
Spanish messages, and 1800s autographs. The Mesa Top Trail is a
2-mile round trip hike from the Visitor Center across varied
terrain. It begins at Inscription Rock and continues to the
Anasazi ruins above. This trail focuses on the geology and
archeology of the area. A 200-foot climb and the uneven
sandstone surface make this a more strenuous hike. Sturdy
walking shoes and water are necessary.
Trails are open daily 9:00 am to 6:00 p.m from Memorial Day
through Labor Day and from 9:00 am to 4:00 p.m the remainder of
the year. Trails may be closed due to severe weather conditions.
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