Watch Tower, Cliff Palace,
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

The Cliff Palace is certainly the most famous and recognizable scene from Mesa Verde National Park in remote southwestern Colorado.

I was on an extended trip through this part of the state in 1981 while on vacation from my job as a forester for the Colorado State Forest Service. When within striking distance of Mesa Verde, I could not resist seeing where Ansel Adams made the photograph he used to illustrate his book The Print (the original edition).

Unlike Mr. Adams' example, I was fortunate enough to come upon the scene (as part of a routine National Park Service group tour, of course) with full sunlight dramatically raking across the face of the Watch Tower. A few exposures on 4x5 inch sheet film and 35mm, a little bit of respectfully gawking at the ruins, and we were herded on our way, back up the trail to the rim above. I don't mean any disrespect to the Park Service; they have a tough balancing act to perform daily between protection and education, and I appreciate the efforts and caring of their many naturalists and rangers.

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