A neighbor told me about a couple hikes close to home. One is called Seven Springs and the other is a short one-mile jaunt called Sears Kay Ruins.
We left the house yesterday before football began to explore the area. I suggested the one-mile loop because we weren’t wearing hiking boots and what I read about Seven Springs — it was more challenging. Also a much longer hike.
On the hike, we learned about the Hohokom people who built a fortress on a hilltop with 40 homes in 1500 AD.
Sears Kay Ruin offers the visitor a glimpse of a distinctive lifestyle that existed long before Columbus. Self-guided 1-mile loop trail will take you through Hohokom Ruins. The site of Sears Kay Ruin was first occupied about 1500 AD. Point of Interest along the Great Western Trail. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35235
The views were spectacular and I’m sorry the iphone doesn’t do them justice.
I’d like to go back again whenever we have an hour to do a short hike. I love that it’s a quick drive from our house. Next time, I’ll wear hiking boots because the trails is rocky and it’s a steep climb up the hill to the ruins. First, I want to find out more about the Hohokom.
We wondered why the Hohokom would live in such an isolated place on top of a hill. We read the signs and learned that the Seven Springs were close by and the hilltop gave the Hohokom protection from other tribes thanks to the fortress they built around it. Life sure looked hard having to hike down a steep cliff for water and food.
This was a historic site along Great Western Trail — something else I’ve never heard of before.
What have you discovered close to your home that you haven’t seen before?
About a year ago I found a series of plaques on the ground leading up to the big library…it was called literary walk. Really cool
That would be interesting. What were on the plaques?
It was snippets about different authors with quotes
I would enjoy that.
It was very fun
This looks fascinating! I just read an article about a house in the UK that dated to around 1100AD. It was built over a pagan burial ground and was considered haunted!
Wow. That would be unnerving! I want to find out more about Hohokom and who they were fighting with that made them move on top of small mountain.
We recently discovered a mountain top winery in Lake County, it’s extraordinary, the views span hundreds of miles in all directions. They converted an old storage container as their tasting room, with an observatory deck on top. We never wanted to leave! xxoo, C
That sounds amazing. I wish my photos would have captured the views from the ruins better. I thought I could see all the way to Mexico.
I’m not a hiker but I usually like the view once I get where I’m going!
Thank you for the post and the history lesson!
I’m glad you enjoyed it.