Chimney Rock to close for lunar viewing events

By Reuben M. Schafir Herald Staff Writer

Thursday, Jul 13, 2023 12:56 PM Updated Thursday, Jul. 13, 2023 6:46 PM

San Juan National Forest concerned about large crowds and public safety

The major lunar standstill occurs every 18.6 years. The moon rises between two sandstone spires at Chimney Rock National Monument in an “awe-inspiring” event, however the monument will be closed during viewing periods in the interest of public safety. (Courtesy of San Juan National Forest)

Citing safety concerns, the San Juan National Forest announced it will close Chimney Rock National Monument, the Puebloan archaeological site between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs, to the public during times when the major lunar standstill is viewable between the monument’s two sandstone spires.

The first closure will take effect this weekend.

The major lunar standstill occurs every 18.6 years, when the moon reaches the northernmost point on its wobbly orbit. The event lasts about three years. Approximately once per month during those three years, the moon is visible from certain locations in the monument, framed in a sliver of open horizon between the two spires.

Researchers believe the Chacoans who lived at the site built the Great House Pueblo so that the astronomical event could be viewed from the structure. Wood samples taken from the Great House indicate it was built the same year as an major lunar standstill.

More recently, viewers could observe the lunar standstill from a fire lookout tower.

That tower was deconstructed in 2010, leaving observers without a location from which the event is fully viewable.

“Now that that tower is gone, people would be going up to the top of the trail where the tower was, where it only has a little bit of room for a few people to stand,” said San Juan National Forest spokeswoman Lorena Williams.

In a news release, a spokesperson for the SJNF described the trail to the viewing location as “strenuous” and hazardous, given the 1,000-foot cliffs that abut the trail.

“It wasn’t as popular 18 years ago, there wasn’t social media,” Williams said. “People didn’t really even know about it unless they were local. And so there’s already a lot of national attention on this. There’s an anticipation that large crowds will show up and that trail and viewing place can’t accommodate a crowd.”

Ron Sutcliffe, a volunteer with the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association who observed the major lunar standstill 18 years ago, said it was an “awe-inspiring” and “dramatic” event.

He said it was a shame that the monument is closed during viewing periods, but recognized that “the likelihood of a catastrophic event to individuals is high.”

The enforced closures will affect Chimney Rock Road (National Forest Service Road 617), Chimney Picnic Parking Road (NFSR 617A) and the Great House Trail (Trail 632) between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.