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OOi'J128 Later, the disposition and use of park land was modified (Sec. 113, Title 16) so that the Secretary could: ". . . upon terms and conditions fixed by him grant leases and permits for use of land. . . [however] such leases or grants shall not include any of the prehistoric ruins in said park or exclude the public from free or convenient access thereto. . , ." The language is plain: preservation of the ruins is the paramount purpose of the park legislation. The park, comprISing about a tbird of the great geologic uplift known as the Mesa Verde, is in the higher, northern part of the plateau at an elevation range of 6000 to 8600 feet. The mesa is cut by deep canyons whose rivers have their sources on the higher north rim and, flow generally southward to the Mancos River. The north escarpment of the Mesa Verde averages some 2000 feet higher than the adjacent lower valley country. The mesa tops are generally covered with thick chaparral brush and pygmy forests of pinyon and juniper, the slopes and canyon bottoms mostly with chaparral, I The park contains thousands of archeological sites. Some of these have been excavated; others located and recorded; still many more, it is believed, remain to be discovered. The Chapin and Wetherill Mesas have been extensively researched, The middle and eastern portions of the park have received only minimal or spot.survey attention. In areas of concentrated Indian use, the broad middle belt of Mesa Verde, observable sites average 100 to the square mile. ~ Mesa Verde National Park is a very popular attraction of the Four Corners country, particularly along the Navajo Trail between Cortez and Durango. Park visitation, occurring almost wholly during the summer, totals about 450,000 annually. Though most travelers come to the area primari Iy to view the ancient ru ins, with their main objective being a conducted tour through a cliff dwelling. many visit other features of the region as well. 16