Pecos Historical Park

​Doing a complete ancient pueblo tour of New Mexico is a dream that many people set out to accomplish. Plotting the dots on a map in a logical order to minimize travel expenses is the best way to plan the trip and of course camping will be the best accommodation option. Realistically there are so many ancient sacred places and Spanish mission sites in this state that one entire year may not be sufficient to complete the journey. For those who only have time to visit one pueblo site, deciding upon which one will be difficult because there are so many to choose from. Large pueblo sites like Chaco or Bandelier offer at least a week of interesting experiences, while smaller sites like Aztec or Pecos are the perfect choice for a fulfilling day trip adventure. 

The Pecos National Historical Park is easy to access and the paved foot trails are well suited for those who have mobility challenges. Touring this ancient pueblo mission compares to taking a walk in a park, which definitely makes Pecos a perfect choice for a day trip. A complete tour of this park only takes a few hours and there are picnic facilities. A lot of history can be learned during the venture and a guided tour is guaranteed to be educational.

The original Pecos Pueblo dates back long before the Europeans arrived on this continent. The Spanish mission building occupation of the 1600s brought turmoil throughout the southwest and it did not take long for a complete rebellion to occur. Most of the original Pecos pueblo structures and the mission church were destroyed at that time. Later in the 1700s a second church was constructed at Pecos and the ruins are on full display in this park. This is a vast pueblo mission complex and there were many native architectural styles incorporated into the design during the second occupation. The complete history can be learned in the park museum visitor center and there are a lot of interesting details to ponder over.  

There are seasonal risks to contend with at Pecos, especially during spring or summer. Due to the nature of the climate and the grassy valley terrain, this entire region is a haven for rattlesnakes. This is especially true during spring when these pit vipers are seeking mates or food after a long winter. There are lots of rodents in the tall grass and they make homes around rock piles or structures, so it is easy to see why the rattlesnakes accumulate at this ancient pueblo park. 

Staying on the paved trails is highly recommended and warning others of a rattlesnake's presence is good practice. A group of adults with small children were following me down the path when an aggressive rattlesnake was striking at anything that moved along the trail. I babysat the rattler and warned the group as they approached. After a while the rattler settled down after realizing I was not a threat and it slowly moved off into the tall grass. If this happens and a ranger is near, then get their attention so they can relocate the rattlesnake to a safer place.  If you do not wish to encounter any rattlers at all while touring Pecos, then a cold winter season visit will be the best option. For the rest of the year it is best to watch your step at Pecos National Historical Park!