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Cedar Mesa Chronicles: Chapter 12

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.

An Evening Walk

Todie Canyon

Canyon View

There were some large potholes at the point above the junction of Todie Canyon and Grand Gulch.

Water Pockets

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.

Upper Todie Canyon Sunset

Canyon Sunset

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!

The Northern Lights from Cedar Mesa

Aurora Borealis ADVENTR

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.

Valley of the Gods in the Rain

Valley of the Gods in the Rain II

Valley of the Gods in the Rain III

I drove out to the top of the Honaker Trail for a view over the San Juan River.

San Juan River in the Rain

San Juan River Overlook

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.

Canyon Rim

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.

Tower at Dusk

Mule Canyon at Dusk

Mule Canyon

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 Camp

 

Cedar Mesa & Beyond: Ruins & Rock Art

Overhang Ruin

Overhang Ruin

Bears Ears & Petroglyphs

Bears Ears & Petroglyphs

Rectangle Ruin

Rectangle Ruin

A very large piece of a pot.

Big Potsherd

Little Ledge Ruin

Little Ledge Ruin

Red Pictograph Ruins

Red Pictograph Ruins

Ruin

Three Potsherds

Two Doors

Three Doors

Faint Handprints

Faint Handprints

Yellow Alcove Ruin

Yellow Alcove Ruin

Yellow Alcove

Little Ruin

Little Ruin

Cleft Ruin

Cleft Ruin

Two Ruins

Broken Doorway

Golden Ceiling Ruin

Golden Ceiling Ruin

Kiva

Kiva

Kiva Entrance

Missing Roof Kiva

Missing Roof Kiva

Kiva Interior

Doorway

Sandals Panel

Sandals Panel

Big Alcove Ruins

Big Alcove Ruins

Three Moon Ruin

Three Moon Ruin

Exploring the ledges of Cedar Mesa canyons…

Cedar Mesa Ledge Hiking

Potsherds

Sealed Up Ruin

Sealed Up

Sealed Up Ruin

Sealed Up Ruin II

Although you can only really see the rim and a little inside, this pot buried in the sand was very cool.

Buried Pot

Buried Pot

>> Cedar Mesa Chronicles 12 Photo Gallery

6 Comments

  1. Randy Gerdes
    Randy Gerdes June 6, 2024

    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.

  2. SteveR
    SteveR June 6, 2024

    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.

  3. Ed Doyle
    Ed Doyle July 15, 2024

    This is a wonderful travelogue

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