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
I haven’t commented in a while, but I view and enjoy all your posts and photography. Thanks for taking time to do this!
Spectacular!!
Thanks for the great photography and vivid descriptions.
One question: did you have any difficulty getting out onto Sam’s Mesa? I’ve read elsewhere that there’s a treacherous downgrade. We saw the mesa from the Burr Overlook on the other side of the river and would like to explore the mesa.
Best of luck and best of health to both of you.
Bill- I don’t remember having any issues driving out onto Sams Mesa.