Thanksgiving Weekend | Thursday – Sunday, November 23-26, 2017
A Mesa Verde Style corrugated pot found in situ within Bears Ears National Monument.
Except for last year, it has been kind of a tradition for Diane and I to spend the long Thanksgiving Weekend exploring southern Utah around Cedar Mesa, Comb Ridge and Montezuma Canyon. This year was our first Thanksgiving in the area since it was officially designated as Bears Ears National Monument late last year. Of course, at this point it’s not certain how much longer this Monument will be around in its current form…
Aside from our first Thanksgiving together when we camped at Natural Bridges National Monument, we typically get a hotel room in Blanding because of the long cold nights this time of the year. It turned out that this year was unseasonable warm and it would have been perfect weather for camping had I not already booked a room in advance. It was actually warmer out than I would have preferred for some of our longer hikes. Enjoy a few photos from our long holiday weekend in The Bears Ears!
The Bigfoot Ruins
Canyon Sunburst
After a long hike we finished the day off by watching the golden light before sunset strike these ruins and then disappear.
Driving between the Bears Ears.
Sunset over Cedar Mesa.
Diamond House Ruin
A closer look at the diamond design.
A sunburst over a square kiva.
Open Door
Part of the top of a pot that Diane found.
Roof Construction
An evening at the base of Comb Ridge.
This pictograph is being covered by runoff.
Ancient Steps Ruin
Reverse Handprints
More of the Bigfoot Ruins.
Bushwhacking- my least favorite part about exploring untracked canyons. This was one of the easier sections to get through…
Canyon Pool
Closed Door
Sunset on Comb Ridge.
An evening hike in a Cedar Mesa canyon.
Toeprints in the mortar at Bigfoot Ruins.
This ruin blended in well with it’s surroundings.
Canyon Hoodoo
A footprint pictograph.
Ruins on top of a hill in the middle of the canyon.
An old cattle trail we used to get out of a canyon.
Sandstone Nook
Reflecting Ruins
The remains of a square kiva.
Three Hands Granary
The third pot we have visited on Cedar Mesa.
Colorful and vibrant reflected light on this interior doorway.
You have outdone yourself this time! These are beautiful photos of fantastic sites. Thanks so much for taking the time on your hikes to take these photos and share them!! What treasures to behold! Let’s hope they get saved for future folk to enjoy.
Beautiful.
Can’t wait to get going myself. Your photos are great and inspirational. Nice work.