The trail to the False Kiva site is an unmarked backcountry path that begins haphazardly from the side of the highway. Since the National Park Service does not advertise this hike and there is no clear trailhead, it took us a while walking back-and-forth along the highway to even find where to begin.

The hike itself involves a short but steep descent down the bowl-shaped cliffs into a remote alcove. It was only a mile long each way, but we took our time; there was snow on the ground, partially melting by the afternoon sun to form streaks of water across the rocks that looked very much like ice. We really didn't want to fall here.

We had the alcove to ourselves for a few hours as we sat and waited for the sunset. The view was stunning. It almost felt like this alcove was a majestic viewing room intentionally carved into the cliffs for the sole purpose of admiring the landscape below. A couple other hikers seemed to think so as well as they arrived to join us in watching the sunset.

Before the sun fully set, we were already on our way back. The descent was stressful enough for us; no need to add pitch darkness and black ice to the equation.