If you really like adventure AND you trust your ability to climb implicitly, you can have a grand adventure by climbing to the upper ruins. The ruins themselves are not so spectacular but the view is. I will try to explain the hike but since there are no trails, you're on your own here. Once again, I do not recommend this unless you are an avid hiker, a sure-footed climber, and an adventurer. . . and even then, think very carefully and walk carefully.

Once you have reached the lower ruins, stand looking out into the canyon. To your right, you will see a rock ledge. Just below and to the right of the ruins you are standing in, is another rock shelf. Go down, climb on the lower shelf and follow it into the prickly pear cactus grove to the right. There is a rough trail through the cactus and onto a rock that leads up to a hole in the rocks. Climb up towards the hole and squish through it. Careful. Now you are on the other side of the rock wall. Hike up to the right, and you will see a larger red rock on which you have to climb.

Climb up the large red rock and travel straight up the wash that takes you through the scrub brush. When you emerge from the wash, put rocks or some marker there so you can find your way back. I'm not kidding. I've gotten lost on the way down when I haven't done this! Now head up and to the left up under the rock shelf. The area gets flat under the shelf. Wander to the left until you find a little step up and then hang a right and go up till you can't go up anymore. Now it looks like you're at the end of nowhere, but really you face a rock ledge that heads to the right. Precarious. Stop now and don't go any further if you are not sure-footed or if you're scared of heights!

If you continue, head around to the right on the narrow rock ledge. You will come to a sheer cliffside wash where you have no choice but to head up and to the left. Careful. Go slow. VERY careful. Do not rush. Stop before you enjoy the view. Carefully traverse the cliffside, slowly heading to the right until you encounter an area near the cliffs where you climb up a rough and tumble wash of loose rocks up to a big old tree, and then follow the rough path along the cliffside to the left, winding around and around, until you reach the unmistakable mouth of the upper ruins.

Now comes the final challenge. You must climb up the tree stump, holding on to rock ledges and climbing the last 20 feet into the ruins. Go slow, and careful once again, if you do it at all. If you do, you will be rewarded with a pounding heart and spectacular views. Or, you can just enjoy the pictures on this page from the comfort of your own home!