Walnut Canyon National Monument in Coconino County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
A Ribbon of Life
Perhaps people living here 800 years ago called this place Wupatupqa ("long canyon"), as it is known to some of their descendants, the Hopi. It was no doubt known as a place of abundance, given its wealth of plant and animal life and the presence of water.
A creek flowed intermittently through the gorge below you. Use the pictures to orient yourself; you are looking upstream. Walnut Creek rarely flows anymore, its waters impounded for use by the city of Flagstaff.
Significant to Many
Before Euro-American settlement, the landscape of the San Francisco Peaks, which includes Walnut Canyon, was an area used by all of the region's tribal groups (Hopi, Zuni, Navajo, Yavapai, Havasupai, Western Apache, and Southern Paiute). Walnut Canyon remains a favorite place to collect plants for medicinal, ceremonial, and everyday use. The canyon's wildlife, including birds, has important roles in many native traditions and lifeways.
We are guests here today. Please visit with respect.
[Photo captions read]
[1.] Aerial view of Walnut creek drainage and Walnut Canyon.
[2.] A dry Walnut Canyon as typically seen from this point. Water has been diverted upstream since 1904.
[3.] A rare spring flood of Walnut Creek (in 1993) as seen from this point.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 35° 10.274′ N, 111° 30.561′ W. Marker is in Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona, in Coconino County. Marker is along the trail leading from the visitor center to the Island Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff AZ 86004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cliff Homes and Canyon Life (here, next to this marker); A Complex Community (here, next to this marker); Tension and Harmony (within shouting distance of this marker); A Time of Change (within shouting distance of this marker); Migration is not abandonment. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Perfect Shelter (about 400 feet away); Departure (about 500 feet away); What Happened Here? (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walnut Canyon National Monument.
Also see . . . Walnut Canyon National Monument. (Submitted on November 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 507 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 23, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.