West Window Ruin
There are at least ten Sinagua cliff dwellings in Long Canyon. What we call the West Window (because it has a nice window, shown below) is the farthest from the parking area. I have only visited this site once, on a solo hike in 2015. This is the deepest I've been into Long Canyon, so there could be more cliff dwellings beyond this one, but I've never heard reports or seen any photos.
FINDING THE SOCIAL TRAIL
There is more than one way to reach this ruin. Be advised that I've only hiked the route shown was hiked once, and that was almost a decade ago. It has been reconstructed by studying satellite images. The GPS coordinates provided are therefore not precise. They are my best guess based on the fact that satellite images show a number of obvious social trails converging on a large overhang.
The overhang shown in our GPS tracks seems a little high up based on my memory. The only other overhangs visible in the satellite images, which you will be able to see well enough along the way, seem a little too low. What I can say with certainty is that you will be able to find the right overhang by following the route shown.
I'm also quite certain there are multiple (shorter) ways to get back down to the system trail. The upper portion of this route is not precise and may be difficult for inexperienced hikers to find and follow. The trail profile shows how steep this route would be if you come down this way. Anything that steep is bound to have at least a Class 2 scramble.
HIKE DETAILS
RATED: Difficult due to steep uphill climbs, thick brush and route finding. There are multiple existing social trails.
TRAIL TYPE
Social Trail
GPS FOR TRAILHEAD
Social Trail
GPS FOR TRAILHEAD
34.93577 -111.85079
GPS FOR RUINS
34.94102 -111.85558
TOTAL DISTANCE
7.4 miles out and back from the nearest parking area.
1.03 miles for the loop shown on map.
ELEVATION GAIN
1100 ft (seems like too much)
EST. HIKING TIME
4 hours round trip from the nearest parking area.
BEST TIME TO GO
Sep - May.
Hike early in the day to avoid summer heat.
PET FRIENDLY
No. Please do not visit ruins with your pet.
GPS FOR RUINS
34.94102 -111.85558
TOTAL DISTANCE
7.4 miles out and back from the nearest parking area.
1.03 miles for the loop shown on map.
ELEVATION GAIN
1100 ft (seems like too much)
EST. HIKING TIME
4 hours round trip from the nearest parking area.
BEST TIME TO GO
Sep - May.
Hike early in the day to avoid summer heat.
PET FRIENDLY
No. Please do not visit ruins with your pet.