Veterans Day Weekend | Thursday – Sunday, November 10-13, 2022
This year for the extended Veterans Day Weekend I was feeling the pull of the ancients to return to the canyons of Cedar Mesa. Even though I seem to have been neglecting this area for a while now, I decided it was time to follow. As usual, I left from work on Thursday afternoon, drove through Moab and then headed south across Dry Valley to Monticello and Blanding. From there, I made my way west through the Comb Ridge and then up onto Cedar Mesa where I found a spot to camp along the old Emigrant Trail. After a good night of sleep I spent the rest of the weekend exploring a couple of canyons on Cedar Mesa and even made a foray into Lower White Canyon, too. Here are some photos from the weekend!
From the Canyons of Cedar Mesa
Waking up early on Friday morning below Moss Back Butte at dawn.
Moss Back Butte
Thanks to a cold front that came through the area during the middle of the week, it was a bit cold on Cedar Mesa all weekend.
There was plenty of water in the canyons an on top of the mesa, most of it covered with a thin sheet of ice in the mornings.
Square Room Ruin
Petroglyph Boulder
Little Attic Ruin
An assortment of potsherds.
Sideways Guy Alcove
A closer look at the Sideways Guy pictograph.
Cedar Mesa Stripes
Overhang Ruin
Colorful pictographs on the ceiling of a low overhang.
Square Room Ruin
Circle & Sheep
Defensive Wall
Lower Boulder Petroglyphs
Sticks and stones illuminated by the last light of the day.
Cracking Ruin
Little Attic Ruin
Ruin & Glow
Wandering Lower White Canyon
On my way to Lower White Canyon I stopped at an overlook of Fry Canyon.
It was a lovely morning to wander through White Canyon.
Ducket Arch
Big Arrowhead Arch
Lovely canyon stripes.
Canyon Junction
I went for a short hike into the beautiful Short Canyon until I was stopped by a water-filled slot.
Water-Filled Slot Canyon
Can you spot the ruin in this wall?
White Canyon Wandering
Canyon Palette
Here are a couple petroglyphs I found along the way.
On my way back to Cedar Mesa I took a short detour to visit the Arch of the Sun.
Sunday Sunrise from the Edge of Cedar Mesa
On Sunday morning I drove out to an overlook at the edge of Cedar Mesa and watched a colorful sunrise before heading back home. It was a nice weekend on Cedar Mesa and it felt good to be hiking here again!
