A weekend exploring Cedar Mesa

[IntrepidXJ]

Unfortunately since Amanda has to work on the holiday, we only had a normal weekend to go exploring, but we managed to make the most of it.

After heading out after work and driving straight through to Blanding, where we filled up with gas, we made it to Comb Wash campground and managed to setup camp right before it started raining. We knew there might be a chance of rain, but it actually ended up raining all night....and pretty hard, too.

After getting some sleep (not a good nights sleep) we got up early and headed over to the Arch Canyon trailhead where we met up with Jared (XJblue) and his friend Kyle. When we headed up the trail, we were greeted with a few pretty deep water crossings, thanks to all the rain we got during the night.

We stopped at the Arch Canyon Ruin for a few pictures before continuing on.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

After crossing the creek a number of times and stopping for more pictures, we finally made it to the end of the trail.

At this point, we took off down the hiking trail to check out Cathedral Arch and Angel Arch.

Cathedral Arch

Angel Arch

 

[IntrepidXJ]

When we got back to our rigs, it was time for lunch. While we were enjoying lunch, it actually started hailing for a little bit.

After heading back out from Arch Canyon, we headed South down Comb Wash along the large Comb Ridge.

It was a lot of higher speed driving, so we didn't get many pictures. But we did end up stopping at this old cabin along the way.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Once we hit US 163 we climbed over the ridge and did some exploring right on the other side around Hobbs Wash. We found an old section of highway that we followed, and a small arch.

The old highway we followed

It dead ended here

Wagon tracks in the slickrock right past where the old highway ended

The arch Amanda spotted

We climbed up to the arch

We tried to find a way across the Butler Wash canyon, but all the roads down were too washed out, and the bridge for the old section of highway was missing....so we had to get back on US 163 to get to Butler Wash Road.....which we took North again until we made it to the Butler Wash Ruin Overlook where we took another short hike to the ruins.

After heading into Blanding for dinner and fuel, we went back to camp and went right to sleep. I had a much better night of sleep....but it did rain again at some point during the night.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Sunday we got another early start and headed up to Hotel Rock. This was a fun trail with some excellent ruins at the end.

View into Arch Canyon from the overlook

We spent a bit of time exploring the ruins.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Headed back out

Once we made it back from Hotel Rock we headed over to Natural Bridges National Monument. Since Amanda and I had to head back home soon, we said goodbye to Jared and Kyle and took the loop road around the park and checked out the overlooks of the bridges. We would have liked to have hiked down to the bridges, but we just didn't have the time.....so we will be heading back again to do that, eventually.

Sipapu Bridge

Kachina Bridge

Owachomo Bridge

 

[IntrepidXJ]

On our way home, we made a few other quick stops, including Newspaper Rock, Wilson Arch and the destroyed Dewey bridge.

My full photo album can be found here: http://myxj.net/g2/v/2008trips/cedar_mesa_memorial/

 

[Smittty9785]

those are some awesome pics man.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

those are some awesome pics man.

Thanks.....the sky didn't cooperate with us this weekend, so I did the best I could

 

[cw50must]

Yeah those are great, thanks for sharing.

 

[crazyjim]

Wow, beautiful country.

However I wouldn't want to be ANYWHERE near that place in an earthquake :laugh:

 

[jmaxj]

Wow, beautiful country.

However I wouldn't want to be ANYWHERE near that place in an earthquake :laugh:

try it when an airforce jet breaks the sound barrier above ya, rocks fall

 

[Mtb Jak]

i wish i lived somewhere awsome :smsoap:

I want to do a cross country trip, while I still can..

need to start planning this :eeks1:

 

[IntrepidXJ]

i wish i lived somewhere awsome :smsoap:

you can always move.....I did

 

[Patriot4x4]

wow! looks like a very fun adventure! :thumbup:

 

[xjblue]

I finally started getting my shots up, Arch Canyon is done so far.

Arch Canyon Ruin




Deep Crossings




that chimny rock


The sky was horrible for the most part


Everything was in bloom, Scarlet Gilia




A few more here, plenty more to come
http://rides.webshots.com/album/563635193QzxAfq?vhost=rides

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I was wondering when you would start getting some pictures up

Looking forward to the rest

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Awesome shots! Seems as if almost every other thread in this section is of you exploring a new place....i'm jealous!

 

[xjblue]

I was wondering when you would start getting some pictures up

Looking forward to the rest

Slowly but surely

That old line cabin from another view, right out of a Louis Lamour story.


That discussion we had about what we did/didn't know about longhorns.

 

[xjblue]

The old Hwy 163 exploration and the Butler Wash road segment.

My shot of that little arch along the road.


Rainbow in the valley below as seen from that arch.
Tried to get a shot of it through the arch but by the time I got set up it disappeared.


Rainbow #2 off in the distance


Sand Verbina growing in droves, Handlebars will appreaciate this one.
They are very fragrant, this many just about make your head swim.


A huge cave like alcove in Comb Ridge begging to be explored next trip.


A few more in the album - click any pic to go there. Still working on it Randy!