Southern Utah

[BillM]

In Mid Oct, the wife, mutt and I headed out to S. Ut to visit favorite spots and explore new ones. We headed out 50 and 70 and on day 2 were in Green River where we stocked up on ice, gas and melons. From Grn Rver we backtracked a few miles and headed south on the 24 and camped at the face of the San Rafael Swell near Goblin Valley. The next day we hiked up into the Swell to a cave with a window near little wild horse creek. The cave had pictographs and other signs of habitation.

 

[BillM]

From there we headed west deeper into the Swell and camped with a view of the canyons that cut through the face of the Swell to the East.

 

[BillM]

The next day we headed South through Hanksville and found a dirt road off of the 95 probably 15 miles before Natural Bridges National monument. Camped a couple of miles down this road and the decided to stay on it because our map and gps showed that it looped around and came back to the 95 on the other side of Nat Brdges. Fortunately we had time because a half day later and many miles of crawling in 4 Lo we found pavement. Headed down to Cedar Mesa in the rain and camped off a dirt road there.

 

[BillM]

In the morning headed to the ranger station and got our week long hiking pass, local road info and made sure we knew where we could take the dog. The 261 cuts through Cedar Mesa and to the west is the very popular Grand Gulch area where dogs are not allowed. Fortunately to the East of 261 there are many less known canyons that have tons of ruins to explore and fewer people where the Mutt was welcome. It was still raining so we headed into Blanding for a late breakfast and explored the Tower ruins on our way back.

 

[BillM]

We camped out a side road East of 261 near a spring and had a rare campfire.

 

[BillM]

The next morning we headed out to what was probably the highlight of the trip. An Anasazi ruin that was out on the end of a very narrow ridge (20 ft wide) about 800 feet above the surrounding canyons. We knew it was at least a class 4 scramble so we left the dog in the camper. Getting onto the ridge was the hard part, about 400 feet of very sloping ledge that was 10 feet from an overhung dropoff of several hundred feet. We made it but the view back was pretty unsettling.

 

[BillM]

Because of the location the ruins were in great shape. The rooms were tiny, still soot on the walls and even some wood and cordage from what, a 1000 years ago?

 

[ski3pin]

Wonderful! More?

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks Bill. Pretty cool. Amazing those ruins haven't been vandalized.
That was some hike along the ledge.
Thanks Frank

 

[BillM]

To build out on this ridge they must have been terrified of someone. The only water source besides a few potholes was 800 feet lower and there was no soil on the ridge so they must have farmed in the canyons. Talk about a wicked commute!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Cool! One of the best guides to the area is "Photographing Southern Utah" by Laurent Martres. There is so much to see and do there. I hope you made it to Mule Canyon.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[BillM]

After exploring the ruins we made it back off the ridge. To be honest we were both a little sketched out about the hike/climb back and were pretty quiet while exploring. After we made it back safely we both admitted to our concerns. We are glad we did it but are not sure we would do it again. We are both intermediate rock climbers, I lead 5.10 and the wife can follow anything I can get up. There's something about class 4 with a long drop below and no rope and no place to anchor if you had a rope. Glad we went but probably won't again.

 

[BillM]

The next day we hiked down a canyon to Fallen Roof Ruin. Because of the recent rains there were full potholes everywhere and wildflowers too.

 

[BillM]

The ruins are under a cliff that is exfoliating but are far enough back that they aren't impacted. Don't want to be there when the roof falls!

 

[BillM]

We then drove down Snow Flats road toward Comb Ridge and camped out.

 

[BillM]

We then headed to the Valley of the Gods to camp but it was blowing a gale from the west and there was no place to hide. Went down to the San Juan and it was still too windy. Finally tucked into a canyon on the East side of Comb Ridge where it was relatively calm.

 

[BillM]

Spent a couple of days exploring the side canyons of Comb Ridge where there are many ruins.

 

[BillM]

And other signs of past life.

 

[Stalking Light]

Excellent TR, thanks.

 

[BillM]

Finally headed up to Moab for a burger, beer and Hollywood shower. Then explored up towards Canyonlands and drove down Spring Canyon road all the way to the Green in Labyrinth Canyon which was cool because we've floated that section and never knew there was a road down there. From there we headed home. All in all a great 2 weeks.