Mesa Verde NP - recommendations/advice?
Hello! I am planning a two day trip to Mesa Verde NP, and am looking for some recommendations. I'm 23 and in shape but not really a 'hiker' and I don't have much experience planning trips like this. I love archaeology and natural history.
First, which of the routes in the picture would be the most scenic and worth the drive? I would be open to short stops along the way but nothing major (I'm planning to go to Arches NP and Black Canyon of the Gunnison on other trips).
Second, any recommendations for orders of hikes/guided tours? I'd like to do at least the Cliff Palace and Balcony House tours but I'm not sure if I would be able to do those in the same day given the 5 hour drive. I plan to leave around 7:30 and arrive at 1:30, and leave the park around 5pm on the second day. Are there enough hikes to fill in the time if I do one tour per day?
About the hikes, I'm really interested in Petroglyph Point Trail since I love petroglyphs but the NP website says it's very challenging - how accurate is that? especially for a young person in shape? I've done ~3 hour hikes up mountains before and they were hard but I was totally okay. Any other cool archaeological hikes to take?
Thank you