Ancha Cliff Dwelling: Hiking to Cold Spring Ruin (AKA: The Crack House)

PLEASE READ: due to accelerated deterioration of some of these ruins in recent years, I won't answer any questions regarding their location beyond clues found in the videos. Information has become plentiful over the past 15-20 years, so due diligence will be rewarded for those that appreciate this stuff. And please, if you do seek them out, be respectful of the cultures that built them, as well as those who enjoy and appreciate them, and leave things the way you found them...

[dangerouslyclever]

I found and visited this ruin twice in the 1980s, the original ladders were still in place at that time. It wasn’t listed on any map that we had. Miniature corncobs were scattered throughout on the cave floor. I remember the turn in the cave and the “porch” overlook. I had no idea of the name, The Crack House. Thanks fo posting, your video brought back a lotta memories.

[blackflowersblacksun]

This is all interesting and cool, but is it ethical. As mentioned in the statment below, in the 1980's the site had considerably more artifacts. I believe current etiquette is "Dont touch, enter or crawl on historical structures.

[bighashgang]

My father took me camping in the Anchas as a young boy, his friends went hiking to.a cave the spotted with binoculars, they found a mummified Indian baby inside with some other artifacts, they called the rangers but the rangers said they already know about the baby and the cave and said to stay away so they never went back

[phillivingston]

Amazing hidden treasure behind the wall. I felt like I was right there with you. Your camera work definitely depicted the difficulty level of the final ascent. I especially appreciated following you down the descent. Thank you for sharing the suspenseful adventure with us.

[TheAnarchitek]

The ravine below was probably filled with water, when the peoples who built that, and many of the other Anasazi dwellings, lived in the region. The Anasazi were descendants of the Fremont People, who began moving into southern Utah circa 700-500BC, , when the area was still mostly flooded, an inland sea covering the area from the gap at the eastern end of the Uintah Mountains, to the Mogollon Rim, north-south, and from the San Francisco Peaks, on the west, to the Sierra Nacimientos, on the east.

It took the better part of two millennia (the water arrived centuries before the Fremonts) for the water to drain away, and when it did, when life-enabling water was too far away, the Anasazi "walked away", in search of "greener" pastures, leaving all the ruins, the ridge-top their earliest abodes, the cliff-sides the interim residences, and the plains constructs, like Chaco and Wupatki, late-term, or "the water is going away", locations.

[NuclearNoMore]

A wonderful hike- the cliff dwelling was astounding- I watched that part again, and will again later, I'm sure. How I would love to stay there (with the utmost respect) for a few days to clear my mind and get back to nature! The Prickly Pear '"skeleton'" just above the turn in the trail is fun to see. Thanks very much, guys!

[sandysue]

At 71, I can now just watch others do what I once would and could have! Cool beans!! Thank you for the adventure!

[teotwaki]

Isn't "accelerated deterioration" due to thoughtless people climbing on and into these ruins as well as stomping around inside?

[FRESH-U]

It’s amazing to think of the people that lived there

[cdb]

Rules for Visiting Archaeological Sites and National Parks
We want you to have an enjoyable and safe time. Historical and cultural parks are very special
places and require that we take extra care to preserve them. Once a cultural site is harmed, it can
not be repaired, and we lose an important pat of history.
1) Stay on designated trails in order to protect fragile cultural sites, fragile desert soils,
plants, and animals.
2) Look with your eyes, but not your fingers. Do not remove things from or add things to
(i.e., garbage, graffiti) these places. The artifacts, plants, rocks, and animals are all
protected in all national parks, and should stay where you see them. It is better to take a
photo or draw a sketch.
3) Respectfully visit these places. Treat these special places the way you would if you were
entering a church, mosque, or synagogue. Running, yelling, and horseplay are not
appropriate.
4) No rock climbing. Do not climb or sit on the fragile walls of ancient buildings, and do
not climb the natural canyon walls. Also, do not throw rocks from the tops of the
canyons.
5) Drink plenty of water and eat snacks. Do not leave camp without plenty of water and
snacks.
6) Pay attention to your surroundings and what you are doing. Watch for safety hazards
such as rough and uneven trails, drop-offs along the trails, loose rocks, etc.
7) Watch the weather. The weather can change quickly, and thunderstorms and lightning
are a possibility. Stay away from cliffs and overlooks if there is lightning or thunder.
I understand and agree to follow these rules in all archaeological sites and National parks we
visit.
Print Name
Sign Name Date

[markeverson]

Thanks for sharing and what was up on top of the wooden floor and the timbers? And I could see that the Timbers the floorboards were black from smoke from having cooking fires and Fires for heat and light by the Native Americans:-) also did you notice there was it look like panthertracks cougar or Lynx or Bobcat when you went through that passage in the dust of the floor

[scrubstronaught]

I just attempted these ruins yesterday, its a scary trail! I didn't make is to the ruins. going to try again next year!

[timliscum]

can you image the effort required to get those logs up there// woof

[scooper]

Thank you for taking us along on your adventure. An amazing structure and incredibly well-preserved. Any idea of its age? I watched the entire video and looked at the comments, but I didn't see anything that addresses the purpose of this structure. (if I missed it, I apologize). Given its inaccessibility, and lack of food sources, I assume this wasn't a place where people lived on a permanent basis. Was this possibly used for ceremonial purposes? I guess any theories of its use would be speculative, unless there was some archaeological evidence indicating that people lived there for an extended period. I hope it remains intact and people don't take anything from it. Thanks again!

[Jlopez]

By your breathing difficulty you must be around 5 thousand feet above sea level. Those might be burial grounds

[takinguskoo]

Awesome video. I wonder how much longer till its no longer there cause humans love to destroy stuff

[yosmith]

I won't ask you where, I would rather watch you bust your aZZ to get to these amazing places. :) Great stuff!

[rainbowboa]

another videographer who thinks the ground is the most important thing in the video!

[zband]

Talk about those beams being sturdy. They're over some 400 to 600 years old and they're still holding the same weight? Pretty good by my estimation. Loved the walk through. I'm the type that would love to do some things like this but am not able to do so. Having someone walk you through it when you've already been to some cave dwellings, is like being there yourself. Thanks!!!

[anthonyhitchings]

keep climbing all over them, and they certainly won't last