Friday – Sunday, May 10-12 & 17-19, 2024
After leaving the UGIC Conference on Friday afternoon I was originally planning to spend the rest of the weekend exploring the nearby Book Cliffs and Tavaputs Plateau, but with all the rain and snow the area had received this week, and with even more predicted over the next couple of days, I figured that was probably not a great place to be right now. Although I did have backup plans for the San Rafael Swell in case of bad weather, after saying goodbye to Moab on Thursday I was feeling the need to get out into a landscape that I have a more personal connection with and feel at home in so I could grieve alone, so I decided to head down to Cedar Mesa, even if it meant a longer drive out of the way. Since I was leaving from Price, this meant I could avoid the traffic in Moab and drive to Cedar Mesa through Hanksville, which is a route I don’t drive very often since it usually doesn’t make much sense for me to go that way. After stopping for an early dinner in Hanksville, I followed North Wash and White Canyon to Cedar Mesa and went straight to the Todie Canyon Trailhead so I could walk the rim at sunset.
Starting my evening walk along the rim of Todie Canyon.
Todie Canyon
There were some large potholes at the point above the junction of Todie Canyon and Grand Gulch.
Although the sun was mostly blocked out by clouds for much of the hike, a little light did slip through as I hiked back to the trailhead.
Later that night when I was at camp getting ready to go to sleep I noticed a strange glow in the night sky to the north. I got my camera out and was able to take my first photos ever of the Northern Lights!
Aurora Borealis ADVENTR
After waking up to rain and hail on Saturday morning, I decided to sleep in for a while.
Eventually I went for a drive to the Moki Dugway and San Juan River to see if the weather was any better at this end of the mesa.
I drove out to the top of the Honaker Trail for a view over the San Juan River.
I passed by a number of waterfalls as I drove back up the Moki Dugway.
Eventually the rain stopped and the sky started to clear and I was able to get out for a hike the rest of the afternoon and evening.
I headed over to the Mule Canyon Towers at sunset hoping I would be able to photograph them with the Northern Lights later that night, but it was just too cloudy out.
Mule Canyon at Dusk
The following weekend Diane and I returned to Cedar Mesa and had a nice time camping and hiking together. Below are photos of the ruins and rock art I saw from both weekends.
Cedar Mesa & Beyond: Ruins & Rock Art
Overhang Ruin
Bears Ears & Petroglyphs
Rectangle Ruin
A very large piece of a pot.
Little Ledge Ruin
Red Pictograph Ruins
Faint Handprints
Yellow Alcove Ruin
Little Ruin
Cleft Ruin
Golden Ceiling Ruin
Kiva
Missing Roof Kiva
Sandals Panel
Big Alcove Ruins
Three Moon Ruin
Exploring the ledges of Cedar Mesa canyons…
Sealed Up Ruin
Although you can only really see the rim and a little inside, this pot buried in the sand was very cool.
I’m continually amazed at the number of ruins and petroglyphs you find! I wouldn’t know where to begin. The idea of the Northern Lights behind the towers was a great one…that would be an award winner. And, the construction of the “cleft” ruin is astonishing to think about. As always, thanks for sharing these.
Thanks Randy!
Fine images as always. One of these days I’m going to figure out where that ruin under the mushroom is! You mention Todie- the camping area nearby the trailhead was a favourite of ours, so we were dismayed to find the short side road to it blocked on our visit this May. Not sure why as it didn’t seem to be abused, or in a sensitive area. Last but not least- condolences on losing Moab.
Thank you Steve!