PolarXJ
Observer
Nice pics... Glad to hear about it hear and not on the news :sombrero:
Which road is this?
A Utah Adventure...
- Thread starter Moody
- Start date
Moody
Needs to get out more
262? It is the backside of Temple Mountain. I'd have to look at a map to be 100% sure.
Moody
Needs to get out more
There isn't too much distance between "I'm not quite sure where I am" to "Do we make a fire and sleep here tonight?" when you are lost in the desert.
Cedar Mesa is appropriately called Cedar Mesa for a legitimate reason-it has lots of cedar trees on top. Sounds great and all, but makes navigating at night for 6 people and one headlamp a challenge (especially a guy without his glasses). It is easy to head to the right around that tree, to the left around that wash, and right around the other tree to find yourself completely turned in the opposite direction.
It has been said that coming through a stressful experience with people solidifies or destroys relationships. I am happy to say I wouldn't hesitate to adventure anywhere again with Dave and Jami. Top-shelf, salt-of-the-earth, honest to goodness people. It is pleasure to call them my friends.
Dave, Jami, Davey, and Cedar (hiding out in Mom's pack):
Cedar Mesa is appropriately called Cedar Mesa for a legitimate reason-it has lots of cedar trees on top. Sounds great and all, but makes navigating at night for 6 people and one headlamp a challenge (especially a guy without his glasses). It is easy to head to the right around that tree, to the left around that wash, and right around the other tree to find yourself completely turned in the opposite direction.
It has been said that coming through a stressful experience with people solidifies or destroys relationships. I am happy to say I wouldn't hesitate to adventure anywhere again with Dave and Jami. Top-shelf, salt-of-the-earth, honest to goodness people. It is pleasure to call them my friends.
Dave, Jami, Davey, and Cedar (hiding out in Mom's pack):
Moody
Needs to get out more
The Citadel
From where our cars were parked, we decided to head up a wash to see what we might stumble across on our way to the ruins. Dave saw this nice piece nestled amongst some rocks in the wash:
After oogling over it for a few minutes, we placed it back where it was found, and continued on. Before too long, we topped out on the mesa. From there, we followed some random washes to the cliff edge where we caught our first glimpse of our destination:
(Do you see the structures behind us?)
If you look closely in the photo of Zander and I, you can see we are standing on the edge of a significant cliff. As such, we had to work our way back towards the west in order to get out onto the fin that the Citadel was built on.
We found a rough game trail along the rim's edge, and followed it until we could cross over to the opposite side. On our way, we spotted this set of structures hiding out:
From where our cars were parked, we decided to head up a wash to see what we might stumble across on our way to the ruins. Dave saw this nice piece nestled amongst some rocks in the wash:
After oogling over it for a few minutes, we placed it back where it was found, and continued on. Before too long, we topped out on the mesa. From there, we followed some random washes to the cliff edge where we caught our first glimpse of our destination:
(Do you see the structures behind us?)
If you look closely in the photo of Zander and I, you can see we are standing on the edge of a significant cliff. As such, we had to work our way back towards the west in order to get out onto the fin that the Citadel was built on.
We found a rough game trail along the rim's edge, and followed it until we could cross over to the opposite side. On our way, we spotted this set of structures hiding out:
Moody
Needs to get out more
My excitement was building as we scrambled down the face and onto the fin that the ruins were located on. I hurried on ahead as I wanted to have a few moments alone with the ruins before everyone else arrived. I took exactly one picture of Alexander at the base of the fin, and didn't take another one until we were right at the ruin-I was too enthralled with what I was seeing. First was the remnant of a defensive wall built across the fin, presumably as a last ditch effort against potential enemies. Then, all along the fin were natural potholes that has obviously held water in them for people long since gone. A few random rocks strewn at spillover points suggest to me that they were once placed neatly to maintain the rainwater for as long as possible.
Zander on the fin just before the final climb to the ruins which are built around the base of the large rock on top of the fin.
Zander on the fin just before the final climb to the ruins which are built around the base of the large rock on top of the fin.
Moody
Needs to get out more
The final ascent to the ruins requires a few moves to access. As I was scoping the easiest way up, Zander had sat down on a rock in the shade. As I looked at him, I saw he was sitting next to a metate' very easily in the same spot a Native had 800+ years ago to grind thier Maize.
After getting all warm and fuzzy for a few moments, I looked up:
The Citadel:
After getting all warm and fuzzy for a few moments, I looked up:
The Citadel:
This was a great trip. I am glad I got to be part of it. The dodge did great minus a few kidney shocking bumps and one slide off the road so my tires where in the air(at least that is what my wife thought)
.
Wandering around in the desert was rough, but I was surprised by everyones good attitude. If I have to be lost this is the group to do it with. luckily Roger and I oriented ourselves with the map and compass before we left the truck. There were zero landmarks in the night to tell us where we were at. It was super hard to get your head around what direction we were facing even with a compass.
After we made it to the road and walked for a mile or so little davy asked if he could go pick out a headlamp when we got back home. He has since nailed down a date of tonight to go shopping. We have a hundred headlamps, but he wants to make sure he gets the right one.
I will try to add some of my photos to this when I get the chance.
I don't know if Roger mentioned, but somewhere along the line Little Davy lost his shirt! How the heack do you lose a shirt? Keys, wallet, fingers, I can see, but a shirt come on.
. Wandering around in the desert was rough, but I was surprised by everyones good attitude. If I have to be lost this is the group to do it with. luckily Roger and I oriented ourselves with the map and compass before we left the truck. There were zero landmarks in the night to tell us where we were at. It was super hard to get your head around what direction we were facing even with a compass.
After we made it to the road and walked for a mile or so little davy asked if he could go pick out a headlamp when we got back home. He has since nailed down a date of tonight to go shopping. We have a hundred headlamps, but he wants to make sure he gets the right one.
I will try to add some of my photos to this when I get the chance.
I don't know if Roger mentioned, but somewhere along the line Little Davy lost his shirt! How the heack do you lose a shirt? Keys, wallet, fingers, I can see, but a shirt come on.
Moody
Needs to get out more
I had better finish this up.
After our little adventure, I attempted to sleep in a bit on Sunday and rest. I was pleased when Zander asked, "Are we going to go on another hike?" Obviously his spirits weren't dampened by the previous night. We packed at a leisurely pace, and decided to drive down the Moki Dugway and then up the backside of Comb Ridge (Butler Wash). The road was much more washed out than when I was there before, and one spot had washed out so much that it would have required a much more capable vehicle than mine to get through. Thankfully there was a nice little bypass that had been created around the washout.
Once we were off of the dirt, we went to see the well-traveled and not-so-off-the-beaten-path Butler Wash ruins.
The short 1/2 mile hike was a nice way to stretch our legs out after the previous day's jaunt. Although they are somewhat 'commercialized' they are still pretty amazing.
An arch just above the ruins:
In the parking lot, we saw this nice little setup:
Overall, a fantastic trip. Thanks for coming along with me. I re-learned some lessons, enjoyed the company of good friends, and got my fill of Southern Utah, if at least for a week or so.
I love the desert.
-Roger
After our little adventure, I attempted to sleep in a bit on Sunday and rest. I was pleased when Zander asked, "Are we going to go on another hike?" Obviously his spirits weren't dampened by the previous night. We packed at a leisurely pace, and decided to drive down the Moki Dugway and then up the backside of Comb Ridge (Butler Wash). The road was much more washed out than when I was there before, and one spot had washed out so much that it would have required a much more capable vehicle than mine to get through. Thankfully there was a nice little bypass that had been created around the washout.
Once we were off of the dirt, we went to see the well-traveled and not-so-off-the-beaten-path Butler Wash ruins.
The short 1/2 mile hike was a nice way to stretch our legs out after the previous day's jaunt. Although they are somewhat 'commercialized' they are still pretty amazing.
An arch just above the ruins:
In the parking lot, we saw this nice little setup:
Overall, a fantastic trip. Thanks for coming along with me. I re-learned some lessons, enjoyed the company of good friends, and got my fill of Southern Utah, if at least for a week or so.
I love the desert.
-Roger
Moody
Needs to get out more
KC: Are you around? Putting together some specifics for the Great North trip...coming through your neck of the woods...