Thursday – Sunday, March 25-28, 2021
This weekend Jerry and I were planning to go on a three-day backpacking trip in Capitol Reef National Park, but as the weekend got closer the weather forecast was not looking good. The forecast was calling for much cooler temperatures with rain and snow which would not have been good for the narrow water-filled canyon we wanted to hike, so it looked like we would be changing our plans. Instead, we decided to head further south to Comb Ridge and Cedar Mesa since we knew we would be able to work around the weather there no matter what it did. I left after work on Friday afternoon and headed south to meet up with Jerry. After getting stuck in traffic for a while just before entering Moab, I drove through some pretty strong winds with snow from about Monticello to Blanding. I met Jerry at the Butler Wash Ruins just after sunset and we decided to camp along Comb Wash, just in case there was a lot of precipitation overnight and the roads got muddy. As predicted, there was more rain and snow overnight so on Friday we stuck to the lower elevations and did a little hiking on Comb Ridge. Later in the day things had started to dry out so we headed up onto Cedar Mesa for the rest of the weekend. Here are some photos from our weekend spent below the Bears Ears.
Juniper Log Ruin
Here’s a view from the other side showing the juniper log used in the construction of this ruin.
Assorted potsherds found in front of a ruin.
A smaller ruin located inside a larger room, like a closet or cupboard.
Storm clouds clearing over a canyon.
Little Ledge Ruin
An interesting petroglyph panel we spotted.
Colorful streaks on a canyon wall.
The Door
This was probably the highlight of the weekend for me. We found this colorful pendant made of shell in a large alcove. Very cool!
Little Citadel Ruin
An evening view from one of our campsites on Cedar Mesa.
This was probably the strangest ruin we found all weekend. This alcove contained two straight walls that were parallel to each other and located on opposite ends of the alcove. We’ve never seen anything like it before.
This is the other side of the same wall.
This is part of the wall that is found on the other side of the alcove. Just behind it there appeared to be a cist that was looted in the past. It was a very unusual site.
Rectangle Room
A colorful cove he hiked through.
Clearing clouds over Comb Ridge.
A nice point that Jerry spotted near a ruin.
Petroglyphs high on a canyon wall.
Walking the rim of a Cedar Mesa canyon.
Collapsed Roof Kiva
A nice grinding stone that was found on a ledge far away from any other ruins or rock art.
Jerry walking around a large pothole on the mesa top.
Two Doors
I love this. Thanks for sharing. I’ll buy your book when you finish it.
Southwest paths?
I think you are currently reading the closest thing to a book that I will ever publish!
That pendant was a great find!
Wow, this is great. I was just in the area (as you know) but didn’t make it to Butler Wash. Just another reason – among many – to head back.
I must say, the series of posts this weekend has been inspiring!
Thanks! Been trying to get caught up, but still a few posts to go…
Great post. Been two years now that I have not been able to make my annual trip to that area due to Covid. Your photos and trip reports help make it a bit more tolerable. Some great finds. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for these of Cedar Mesa. I saw some new sites, and I particularly loved seeing the Comb and the canyons. I am forgetting how beautiful it all is. Thanks for the posts. A treasure!