On Thursday, December 6, 2012, Mesa Verde National Park will host the 2012 Annual Holiday Open House from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Chapin Mesa headquarters area.

Everyone is invited to join the park staff in this holiday celebration featuring special tours, luminarias, musical entertainment, night sky interpretation and refreshments. Ranger-guided tours of Spruce Tree House, the third largest cliff dwelling in the park, will be presented at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Spruce Tree House is also available for self-guided tours from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Luminarias will glow along the pathways throughout the headquarters area, a National Historic Landmark District, and along the trail to Spruce Tree House. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.

The Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum will remain open until 9:00 p.m. There will be musical entertainment in the museum auditorium throughout the evening. The schedule of performances is as follows:

Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum Auditorium
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. William Yazzie, traditional Native American flute and drum
5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. Meadowlark, contemporary folk rock
5:50 p.m. – 6:20 p.m. Silver Echos Flute Choir, holiday music
6:25 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Four Corners Community Band, holiday music
7:25 p.m. – 8:25 p.m. Wild Mountain Music, bluegrass

Spruce Tree Terrace Cafe
6:15 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. William Yazzie, traditional Native American flute and drum

Spruce Tree House Trail
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. William Yazzie, traditional Native American flute and drum
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Fort Lewis College Bala Sinem Choir, traditional Native American drum and chant

The nonprofit Mesa Verde Museum Association (MVMA) Museum Store will be open highlighting the sale of books, posters, puppets, historic photographs, and great holiday gifts as well as in-store specials. Bring your gift shopping list along to take advantage of this special occasion. Proceeds benefit Mesa Verde National Park.

Attendance at the Open House is free. Refreshments will be provided at Spruce Tree Terrace by ARAMARK, Mesa Verde Company, City Market-Cortez, and the Mesa Verde Museum Association.

No park entrance fee will be charged after 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, 2012. Mark your calendar and plan to join us in the park festivities! For further information, please contact the park at 970-529-4465.

Join San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA) on Saturday, December 15 from 10:00 a.m. to noon for the second program in the Southwest Colorado Winter Ecology Series: a “Winter Discovery Walk for Families at Boggy Draw,” near Dolores. We will focus on using our senses during this walk – how does winter look, smell, sound, feel, and even taste different from other seasons, and why? For ages 4 – 10, accompanied by an adult. Snowshoes are provided if needed. There is no charge for the Discovery Walks. Contact SJMA to register for this walk (preregistration requested), or schedule your own Winter Discovery Walk at 970-759-1170 or e-mail gabi@sjma.org. Walks can take place on easy terrain near Cortez, Mancos, Dolores, or Durango.

Spend a winter morning at Mesa Verde National Park on Saturday, December 22 from 9:00 a.m. to noon for “Plant and Animal Adaptations at Morefield Campground.” Park biologists and interpretive rangers will lead a hike to explore the amazing ways that animals and plants survive in the cold winter environment of Mesa Verde National Park. The hike will tour the winter habitats of plants and animals in the Morefield Campground area. Limited to 20 people, ages 7 to adult. Advance reservations are requested; contact MVNP at 970-529-4631 to reserve your space or for more information.

The Southwest Colorado Winter Ecology Series is a partnership between SJMA, San Juan National Forest, BLM Tres Rios Field Office, Mesa Verde National Park, and San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society. Visit www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/ winter_guidedhikes.htm for more information about the Winter Ecology Series.