The Maze and the Mesa (April 2011)

[cnynrat]

Thanks very much for posting your report - looks like you had a great trip!

It's been a few years since we've last visited the area, and I had not heard about the new permit system for Moon House. Probably needed as we've encountered some really large groups of people there, even in the off season.

 

[ROKTAXI]

Day 2 was our longest hike on the trip....over 11 miles round trip.

That beats our 9.75 miles we did a while back! :Wow1:

 

[JamesDowning]

Very nice documentation. Really enjoying not only the pictures, but the commentary too!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

That beats our 9.75 miles we did a while back! :Wow1:

I've got some longer ones planned for later this year....want to tag along? :sombrero:

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Day 7: Big Man Panel & Lower Comb Wash

Friday, April 15, 2011

When we woke up on Friday morning it was about 26 degrees out…the coldest morning so far on the trip! We had another quick breakfast and then took off for the Government Trailhead. Soon we were hiking across Pollys Pasture until we reached the Government Trail that drops down into Grand Gulch.


Government Trail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The sign marking the descent into Grand Gulch.


Grand Gulch View by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A view over Grand Gulch as we head down the Government Trail.

Once we reached the bottom of Grand Gulch we headed upstream to the Big Man Panel. Along the way we passed a small and well preserved granary on a ledge above us.


Small Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Soon we reached the Big Man Panel. We spent some time exploring the area and taking plenty of photos.


Big Man Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Big Man Panel Straight On by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the Big Man Panel.


Big Man Alcove by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

An overview of the large alcove this panel is found in.


Line of Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

There were plenty of handprints next to the large anthropomorphs.


Big Man #1 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Big Man #2 by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

It was a nice easy hike to reach the panel…..but the hike back out to the trailhead was a bit slower and more tiring…

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Jared hadn’t been to the Snake House Ruins before, so we decided to head over there when we finally reached the Jeep again. That way we could stop in Mexican Hat for some dinner later that day


Snake House Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Pictographs found to the left of The Snake House.


Snake House Designs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The large snake pictographs and other designs on the alcove ceiling.


White Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the white pictographs over the snake.


Black & White T by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A T-shaped door in black & white.


Exploring the Snake House by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Jared checks out part of The Snake House.


Designer Handprints by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Hidden on the back wall inside one of the small rooms were a number of white handprints with interesting designs.


Unique Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

An interesting granary near The Snake House.

After exploring the Snake House Ruins we continued on and visited the Butler Wash Petroglyph Panel, too.


The Shamans Panel Wide by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A wide overview of the Shamans Panel.


Butler Anthropomorphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A close up look at a few figures that make up the Shamans Panel.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Smaller Anthropomorph by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

One of the many, many, many petroglyphs found along the Butler Wash Panel.


Faint but Detailed by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I always enjoy visiting rock art sites multiple times (especially the larger sites like this one) because I’m always finding new things on each visit. This faint panel is one I missed the last time. If you look closely you will see a large anthropomorph with a headdress, a set of hands, another large figure that looks like it might be playing a flute and even a duck-headed figure…..among many others.


Faint Butler Wash Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s another of the many faint panels that are hard to see that I was able to bring out better in this photo.


Curly Horns by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A bighorn sheep with very curly horns.

After visiting the rock art panel we headed back to Mexican Hat and had some steaks for dinner from the Swingin’ Steak.

There was still a little sunlight left after dinner, so we stopped at Goosenecks State Park to take some photos before heading back up to camp for the night.


Burning Bush by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Sunset at The Goosenecks by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Jared takes a photo of the goosenecks.


Jareds Sunburst by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

I just love the sunbursts from my 16-35mm lens!


Campfire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Resting at the campfire after another long but exciting day.


Day 8 to be continued…

 

[Goochm]

Spiked snake

Could the "spiky snake" perhaps be a leggy centipede I work at Montezuma Castle National Monument in AZ, and even more than a hundred years after the park was established there are still many unanswered questions about The Old Ones. Nice, nice photos and commentary!!!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

It could be....this is just my interpretation of the pictographs...which probably isn't right anyways

Could the "spiky snake" perhaps be a leggy centipede I work at Montezuma Castle National Monument in AZ, and even more than a hundred years after the park was established there are still many unanswered questions about The Old Ones. Nice, nice photos and commentary!!!

 

[PirateMcGee]

wow thanks for sharing these man!!!


THIS is why expedition portal is awesome....

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Day 8: Mule Canyon

Saturday, April 16, 2011

On Saturday we woke up again to yet another cold morning, but thankfully not quite as cold as the previous day. Originally we were planning on staying in our current campsite for the last night, but at the last minute we changed our plans and decided to move to Comb Wash for the last night. We packed up camp and headed over to Comb Wash and then setup camp again. Once camp was set, we headed over to Mule Canyon and were hoping to take a nice leisurely stroll up the canyon for an easy day of exploring……but as I stated before, is seems Jared and I don't quite know the meaning of an ‘easy day' because by the time we reached the Jeep again we had hiked over 8.5 miles round trip with a lot of climbing up to ruins along the way.

Of course we visited the House on Fire (Flaming Roof) ruins, and then we continued up the canyon a few more miles searching for other ruins and rock art as we went. I know we missed some of them, probably because we turned around too soon, so I'm sure I'll be heading back again sometime in the future


Flaming Roof by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Curved Flames by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


House on Fire Overview by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

An overview of the House on Fire ruins.


Mule Canyon Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The next set of ruins we found up the canyon from House on Fire.


Mule Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Jared and the view up Mule Canyon.


High Ruins Overview by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A well-preserved set of ruins further up.


High Ruins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the ruins since we didn't even try to find a way up to them since there was no obvious route.


Resting Tree by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When we reached the spot in the canyon we turned around at, I stopped to rest in the shade of this tree and took this photo as I lay on the cool sandstone.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

On our way back down Mule Canyon we stopped and climbed up to one more site we had skipped on the way up. I’m glad we did, since there turned out to be some cool rock art, too.


Circles and Stripes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The top of the alcove glows bright orange in the background with the large concentric circles in the foreground.


Paint and Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here we found another painted wall that used to be in the back of a structure. There are plenty of petroglyphs located above the paint, too.


Overgrown by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We were unable to climb up to these ruins located on a ledge above us.


Jared and the Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Jared checking out a small granary.


Colorful Alcove by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The same granary as above, in the colorful alcove.

There was still plenty of time left in the day when we reached the trailhead again so we headed up the Dog Tanks Road to visit the petroglyphs on Walnut Knob.


Through the Comb by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looking back at Comb Ridge from Walnut Knob where UT-95 cuts through.


Walnut Knob Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

One of the two large panels of petroglyphs found on Walnut Knob.


Hunting Shield by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at the panel. Probably a Ute panel since there are horseback riders in the scene.


The Sheep and the Shield by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here’s the other larger panel.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

The Hunter and the Shield by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look.


Walnut Shield Figure by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Closeup of the shield figure.

Afterwards we headed to Blanding for some dinner at the Homestead Steak House where I had a burger and some of their homemade biscuits. After our meal we headed to the Mule Canyon Towers to await the sunset and the stars that night. Before it got too dark out Jared showed me some petroglyphs he had found the last time he explored this site.


Cave Towers Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A small structure found near the Mule Canyon Towers.


Moon Over the Rim by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The moon rising over the rim of Mule Canyon as we explore below.


Mule Canyon Hunt by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The ‘Hunt Scene' petroglyph panel that Jared showed me.


Duck Head & Snakes by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A closer look at some of the figures in the panel, including a duck-headed man.


The Kill by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Looks like it was a successful hunt!


Lower Mule Canyon by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Lower Mule Canyon as the sun sets.

Once it was dark enough we both tried out some night shots.


Mule Tower Star Trails by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

When I setup this shot, my original goal was to get some star trails to show up through the window as well as around the tower. Unfortunately, some clouds blew through the shot as I was taking it, so that didn't work out as I had planned this time. I do like the way the clouds look in this shot, though. The lighting on the tower is from the almost-full moon behind the camera. I didn't have to add any additional light.

Mule Canyon Tower Timelapse Video: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rlngstrt/5688394403/

Follow the link above to a very short time-lapse video I made of the separate shots used to make the photo above. You can see the clouds blowing through the scene and also the moonlight on the tower changing.


Big Dipper Tower by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Before we left, Jared had the idea for this shot and took one. I liked the idea and took a quick shot with the Big Dipper above the Mule Canyon Tower.

When we were done, it was back to Comb Ridge for our last night of the trip.

Day 9, the final day, to be continued…

 

[musty40]

Great photos! Heading to the Maze in October, can't wait.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Day 9: Long Fingers Canyon

Sunday, April 17, 2011

The last day of our 9 day trip had finally arrived and I was looking forward to getting home and taking a real shower. We wanted to make this a shorter day so that we wouldn't be getting home too late. We broke down camp, had a quick breakfast and then we crossed over Comb Ridge and headed south along Butler Wash. Then we hiked into Long Fingers Canyon and explored all of the alcoves, ruins and rock art that we could find. It was a nice and easy hike with a lot to see and explore. It's amazing how many large alcoves this short canyon contains!


To the Comb by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Hiking along the ‘now closed' road towards Comb Ridge and Long Fingers Canyon.


White Hands by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The first large alcove we came to had a set of white handprints on the back wall.


Red Figure by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

As we neared the Long Fingers Ruins we passed a number of faint petroglyphs and pictographs. I spotted this faint red anthropomorph high above.


Flying Target by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This is certainly one of the more unique petroglyphs I have come across. I've never seen anything like it before. It was hard to get a good shot of it, but I think this one turned out OK.


Stick Figure by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Another of the faint petroglyphs on the way to the ruins.


Pregnant Stick Figure by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here's another stick figure that has a round middle section….my guess would be representing pregnancy.


Metate Designs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This boulder has a few interesting petroglyphs and a couple of metate grooves.


Jared in the Alcove by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Jared exiting the deep alcove below the ruins.


Spirals with Feet by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

These spirals appear to have legs and feet with three toes.