Friday & Saturday, October 11-12, 2024
After spending a very warm week along the Arizona Strip with Jared, it was time for me to get back out exploring parts of the Colorado Plateau that are a little bit closer to home. So even though I needed to be home on Sunday, I still wanted to get outside on Saturday and decided to head over into the Robbers Roost area to get in a little canyon hiking and exploring this weekend. I left from work on Friday afternoon, grabbed dinner in town and then headed west into Utah. After topping off my gas tank in Green River I continued driving across the San Rafael Desert until I found a place to camp not far from Hans Flats shortly before sunset. Once it was dark out I finished reading a book and went to bed early so I could get an early start in the morning to beat the afternoon heat.
When I arrived at camp there was a little light striking the sandstone walls of the French Spring Fork of Happy Canyon, but it didn’t last long and there were too many clouds for a nice sunset.
On Saturday morning I started hiking early and watched the sunrise as I descended into a canyon.
Hiking below a little sandstone butte.
I spent the morning walking along the walls of the canyon to see what I could find.
Canyon Rim Hoodoo
Here’s a view from inside a large alcove the contained some very crude ruins.
It was a nice morning for exploring the canyons, but it was warming up quickly!
I think this might be the nicest and roundest brush corral I have ever come across.
After hiking in the morning I spent some time exploring sandy and rocky backroads in the area.
Sams Mesa Box Canyon
Happy Canyon & The Pinnacle
On my way back to Green River I stopped to help two girls that had gotten their car stuck just off the road near the Horse Bench Reservoir. Once I figured out how to attach a strap to their car it was a quick and easy recovery to get it pulled back onto the road and I was able to do my good deed for the weekend!
Rock Art & Ruins of the Roost
Although I didn’t find much in the way of ancient ruins and rock art during my hike this weekend, I did finally visit one Barrier Canyon Style pictograph panel that I’ve been searching for for a very long time, so I consider that a success!
Rough ruins found in a large alcove.
Cracked Metate
The Striped Shaman
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