Four Corners Memorial Weekend

Saturday morning we woke up extra early and headed for one of or favorite campsites in Comb Wash. As we were driving through Monticello, I noticed a Cherokee in my rearview mirror that sort of looked familiar. By the time we reached Blanding that Cherokee had caught up with me and it was in fact someone I knew.....Jared. We both pulled off at the local Shell for some gas and talked about our current plans for the weekend. We had spent the last Memorial Day weekend exploring the Comb Ridge area, and it looked like we would be doing the same again this year.

After setting up camp in Comb Wash we took a short walk to some ruins that Jared had found near our campsite last year.



Then we headed north to the road cut into Comb Ridge that you can see when you are on the Hotel Rock trail. I have always wanted to drive this old section of road since I first saw it, and was not disapointed.

You can see the road cut in this photo if you look closely




We stopped near the top when we saw an old car hanging onto the edge of a cliff. While we were stopped, I turned around and spotted a small arch above us.

Jared taking a photo with the small arch above us


The old car on the edge...




Jared also spotted what looked like some pictographs hidden high above us, and attempted to climb up to them, but could not find a good way up...


The final section to the top of Comb Ridge had been blasted through at one time and was pretty bumpy now with some smaller ledges.

Once at the top we took a right on Poseys Trail which followed along the edge of the ridge for a few miles at an overlook above the cut for UT 95.



Our next destination was to find the Tower Ruin at the head of Butler Wash. We ended up taking the long way down into the canyon, but we did find the ruin.









Before heading back to the Jeeps, we hiked up another side canyon looking for other ruins.


On our way back to the Jeeps the clouds finally let loose and it started raining pretty good on us. We were pretty soaked by the time we made it back.

By the time we had finished lunch, the rain had stopped again, so we made our way over to find the Over & Under Ruins. After a few dead ends on some of the Jeep roads we followed, and then hiking down the wrong trail to find the ruins, we finally found our way (all part of the adventure).

Over & Under Ruins




By the time we made it back to the Jeeps, it was getting late so we headed into Blanding to fuel up and grab some dinner before heading back to camp for the night. Since Amanda and I had got up pretty early that morning to head down there, we were exhausted and went right to bed when we made it back to camp.

The full galley from Saturday can be found here: http://myxj.net/g2/v/2009_adventures/four_corners/saturday/

Sunday & Monday still to come.....

On Sunday we woke up early again and headed South along Comb Ridge until we reached Snow Flat Road, which would take us up onto Cedar Mesa.

Crossing Comb Wash


At Snow Flat Road getting our hiking permits with Comb Ridge in the background


On our way we passed a small natural bridge next to the road that I had to stop and get a photo of


Our first destination for today was to try and get to the Moon House Ruins. This was supposed to be an easy hike with some minor scrambling, however when we got there, we found the climb down into the canyon was more technical that we were prepared for, so we had to settle on viewing the ruins from the other side of the canyon on this trip...

Reflection at the Moon House Ruins trailhead


Moon House Ruins in McCloyd Canyon




Jared taking a photo of the ruins

After making it back to Snow Flat Road we continued on to the highway and headed for our next destination....Johns Canyon Overlook. On the way to the overlook we found another small cliff dwelling under a pour-over. The alcove above this ruin had collapsed at some point, and a large rock was sitting on top of the dwelling. I was surprised that the whole thing had not completely collapsed.





There were some pictographs on the alcove wall


After exploring the ruin for a little bit we continued on to Johns Canyon Overlook





After having some lunch at the overlook, we headed over to Muley Point before going down the Moki Dugway



Johns Canyon Trail below....we'll be driving it later


You can barely see Monument Valley in the distance

A photo Amanda snapped on the point




Before heading into Johns Canyon we made a quick stop at Goosenecks State park





Headed towards Johns Canyon




The first set of petroglyphs we came across




There were many recent washouts along this trail from the recent rains (we were the first sets of new tracks since then), but most of them were minor and easily navigable. However, once we reached a narrow section under a slide area, the trail was washed out too much to safely continue, so we turned around. It was only about a mile or so from where the trail would have dead-ended at a wilderness area anyways.

Jared standing near one of the washed out sections


On our way back out of Johns Canyon we found a few more petroglyphs















After spending over twelve hours hiking and behind the wheel of the Jeep we headed into Mexican Hat for some dinner at the Swinging Steak. It was another great day of exploring!

You can find the full photo gallery from Sunday here: http://myxj.net/g2/v/2009_adventures/four_corners/sunday/

Monday still to come...

Looks like a great trip, fantastic photos. Wish I could have been there.

On Monday, Amanda and I said goodbye to Jared and headed our separate ways. We ended up sticking to the pavement and did some more 'touristy' stuff as we looped around on our way back home. Our first stop was the Four Corners Monument. Amanda has wanted to stop here for a while, so we finally did it.



Our next stop was Mesa Verde


We didn't have too much time to spend at the park as we wanted to get home at a decent time, but I really wanted to get a feel for the park, get some information to help plan future trips and to do a short hike away from the Memorial Day crowds. We managed to accomplish all of that.

After a stop at the Visitor's Center for some info, we headed a little ways down the road and took a short hike to the Far View House and surround structures. While the park was pretty busy, we saw only two other people the whole time we explored this area.

Far View House




Far View Tower


Mummy Lake


Coyote Village

After leaving Mesa Verde we headed into Durango and then North on US 550 back home.

Silverton


As we were heading up to Red Mountain Pass, we got caught in a good snowstorm



The full gallery for Monday can be found here: http://myxj.net/g2/v/2009_adventures/four_corners/monday/

IntrepidXJ said:

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That's a really cool shot.

Awesome pictures and report.

Nice Randy...

Comb wash is an area i had been looking at. Thanks for the pics.

Cool pics.

Nice pictures as always Randy. Some time when you are up on Cedar Mesa you should check out the 'Citadel' ruins. They are on the Cigarette Springs road and just a little bit hard to find but very worth the trip.

MoabXJeeper said:

Nice pictures as always Randy. Some time when you are up on Cedar Mesa you should check out the 'Citadel' ruins. They are on the Cigarette Springs road and just a little bit hard to find but very worth the trip.

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Von...I'm sensing a Ruin run with you as our leader....whaddya think?

MoabXJeeper said:

Nice pictures as always Randy. Some time when you are up on Cedar Mesa you should check out the 'Citadel' ruins. They are on the Cigarette Springs road and just a little bit hard to find but very worth the trip.

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Planning on hitting the Citadel on my fall trip to Cedar Mesa....they are at the top of my long list of ruins to check out.....just wasn't ready for them this trip

You're one lucky SOB.