walking with Dinétah trails

WALKING WITH DinéTAH TRAILS

Then and now, Dennehotso is known for being a farming community. Even in Diné Bizaad (Navajo Language), Dennehotso is pronounced as Dek’ihootsoh. The closest translation being “green and yellow meadows” or “green meadow converging to upper end.” Laguna Creek runs central to the farming area, which provides water to irrigate the fields. Dennehotso is a community rich in walking areas and hiking trails. The community lives along Comb Ridge, and there are stories of trails going up the ridge. These trails are old mining roads. In the 1950s, there was a mining settlement below Comb Ridge, a place called Cane Valley. Although these mines are long gone, one is able to walk towards Comb Ridge and find piles of old, rusted cans from old camps.

Walking Trails
Naałhoozh haaz’diih’íí Trail
Comb Ridge Trail

This community is home of the world’s two largest hand-woven rugs. In Diné Bizaad, Chilchinbeto is pronounced as Chiiłchin Bii’ Tó, which translates as “Sumac Spring.” Besides being known for their beautiful rugs, Chilchinbeto is full of stories passed from generation to generation. The northeastern edge of Black Mesa serves as a backdrop to the community. One of the visual appearances of Chilchinbeto are the “The Fingers” along the mesa. “The Fingers” represent the original four clans in the Diné clan system. From left to right, you will see a bear, a bobcat, a bull snake, and a porcupine. Other stories include the use of the Down Trail. This trail was an old wagon trail used by families to travel to their summer camps on top of Black Mesa. Today, families no longer need to travel to the mesa for cooler weather. The community is enthusiastic to bring in tourism. Thus, they are working to create trails that may be available for community members and visitors alike.

Walking Trails
Baby Camel Trail
Just Move-it Trail

Kayenta is unique because of its scenic location. It is the gateway to Monument Valley and en route to Lake Powell, Grand Canyon, Canyon De Chelly, and Mesa Verde. In Diné Bizaad, Kayenta is pronounced as Tó Dínéeshzhee’, which translates to “Fingers of Water” or “water going in different directions.” There are two main visual distinctions in Kayenta. The first being Black Mesa. Many of the community members have stories of traveling to the top of the mesa to their summer camp. As of now, we know of two old wagon trails that lead up the mesa. One of the trails is known to have an Indian Health Service (IHS) plane that crashed. The plane’s remains are still present. The other trail is near a natural spring. From the highway and from aerial photographs, one is able to make out Kayenta’s most distinctive local landmark “The Toes,” the southwest extension of Comb Ridge.

Walking Trails
Atsá Community Trail
The Kayenta Toes Trail
Wahi Trail