Leave Only Footprints

Perhaps one of the more curious details left behind by the original inhabitants that once roamed the western Colorado and southern Utah landscape are the ancient hand and toe trails known as moki steps. Essentially, moki steps are climbing routes that scale bare slickrock domes and walls as a means of providing access to a dwelling, granary, water source, lookout, or even a shortcut to another canyon. But oftentimes, the true destination of these steps carved into the stone can be a complete mystery. The Ancestral Puebloan people were without a doubt skilled and adept climbers, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that maybe they just enjoyed the thrill of establishing a route that climbed high above the ground to an unbeatable view. Here’s a look: