Cedar Mesa

[Iceaxe]

Anyone want to spill the beans on some cool ruins in Cedar Mesa? I'll be down with the family in a couple weeks and we are looking for something new to explore.

All thoughts and ideas are welcome.... :2thumbs:

:nod:

[trackrunner]

I heard this site has some good beta on cedar mesa.

climb-utah.com
:roflol: :cool2:

[Iceaxe]

climb-utah.com

:2thumbs:

Believe it or not.... I've already been to those places.... I know a guy who has a friend that knows this other guy that hooked me up with the CoF. :haha:

Actually.... some of the best Cedar Mesa stuff on Climb Utah came from members of Bogley.

:hail2thechief:

[oldno7]

climb-utah.com



Actually.... some of the best Cedar Mesa stuff on Climb Utah came from members of Bogley.



I'll second that thought. There are some on here that are extremely knowledgeable of the area. :nod:

[Scott P]

I don't know what places you have already been, so here's some I'm guessing you may not have seen.

Bowdie Canyon (needs an overnighter)-but just outside Cedar Mesa
Three Fingers Ruin/Hammond Canyon
Hotel Rock
East Fork Arch Canyon
Upper White Canyon has lots of neat stuff as does Upper Armstrong
Big Man Pictograph
Todie Canyon
Green Mask
West Fork Johns
Pine Canyon

All those are nice places and enough to keep you busy a while.

[Iceaxe]

needs an overnighter

Thanks for the ideas Scott....

One thing to keep in mind.... I'll be with the hot young wife.... She is really a good sport about tromping through the woods and hanging from the end of ropes.... but if you want to keep her happy you will make sure she has a nice motel room and that you are back in time to hit happy hour at the local pub.....

:cheers:

[oldno7]

needs an overnighter

Thanks for the ideas Scott....

One thing to keep in mind.... I'll be with the hot young wife.... She is really a good sport about tromping through the woods and hanging from the end of ropes.... but if you want to keep her happy you will make sure she has a nice motel room and that you are back in time to hit happy hour at the local pub.....

:cheers:

Those are not unreasonable request's :haha:

[Iceaxe]

Looking back through some of the old TR's posted by Brewhaha on Bogley I think we might try to hit

Doll House
http://www.bogley.com/forum/files/img_0653_152.jpg

Lewis Lodge
http://www.bogley.com/forum/files/img_0093.jpg

Any more ideas or thoughts?

:popcorn:

[Cirrus2000]

Brewhaha and denaliguide - those are the guys to hit up, since Scott P has already posted! Man, those guys know their stuff...

:hail2thechief:

[Brewhaha]

I PM'ed you Ice.

[Scott P]

Thanks for the ideas Scott....

One thing to keep in mind.... I'll be with the hot young wife.... She is really a good sport about tromping through the woods and hanging from the end of ropes.... but if you want to keep her happy you will make sure she has a nice motel room and that you are back in time to hit happy hour at the local pub.....

Actually those are all day hikes with the exception of Bowdie.

In fact, most are short day hikes. Other than Bowdie, Hammond Canyon/Three Fingers ruin is 9 miles round trip and Big Man Pictograph is 11 miles route trip, but all the rest listed are pretty short day hikes.

[bobb169]

Some pics of the Bowdie Kivas, and the Fortress in Fable Valley. If you take the short cut Bowdie can be done in one day, but there are other ruins all through. The Fortress can be done in a long day...lot to see there as well. Pictographs are not on Cedar Mesa but are well the best there is...........

Bowdie Canyon - PourOff Kiva
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01854.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01835.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01846.jpg
Bowdie Canyon Area
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01816.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01860.jpg
Fable Valley - Fortress
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01771.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01728.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01732.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01736.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01747.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01782.jpg
Pictographs South of Kanab
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Shaman/DSC00336.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Shaman/DSC00344.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Shaman/DSC00348.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Shaman/DSC00354.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Shaman/DSC00373.jpg

[moab mark]

My avatar is of my youngest son at hotel rock. How do you hike in there in a short day? It is a pretty good jaunt in a jeep. That and arch canyon are nice. I need to spend some time down there. Those pictures are amazing.

Mark

[Scott P]

My avatar is of my youngest son at hotel rock. How do you hike in there in a short day?

There are several ways to hike up there in a short day. From the mouth of Arch Canyon you can follow the track near the north rim of Arch Canyon to Hotel Rock. It's an easy 3 miles each way, shorter if you drive part of it.

You can also hike up right from the east and Comb Wash. It's only two miles each way, but takes navigation skills.

Both these routes are short day hikes for most.

The best way however, if you like a little adventure and a more rugged alternative (Plus a longer hike) is to use the little north fork of Arch Canyon. There are some neat ruins up there as well. You can then come down the rfirst route mentioned above, but that's a 8.5 mile trip. Still there is some good stuff along the way.

[trackrunner]

Looks like I need to plan a trip in the fall
:popcorn:

http://antimarc.flashrapid.com/spaptions/MOAR.jpg

[Iceaxe]

I was just going to ask about Hotel Rock....

Several questions...

First it looks like I can just drive to the ruin if I come off of Milk Point. Which will not be that bad since I'm planning to hit Lewis Lodge which is in the same neighborhood.... so my question... is that possible and how tough is the road? Can I get there in my pretty 4x4 without dinging or scratching?

And it appears there are two trailheads. The most popular being the one at the mouth of Arch Canyon?

And in MK's new hiking book there is a second one listed... I think... his crap is so confusing it gives my a headache trying to decipher it and the trail is not show on his tiny tiny map...

FWIW: here is a map I found on the interwebs
http://www.fototime.com/12FFE0826BD5B0F/orig.gif

Recommendations for the best way to visit Hotel Rock?


:cool2:

[Scott P]

First it looks like I can just drive to the ruin if I come off of Milk Point. Which will not be that bad since I'm planning to hit Lewis Lodge which is in the same neighborhood.... so my question... is that possible and how tough is the road? Can I get there in my pretty 4x4 without dinging or scratching?

I've never tried that route (from the north), but unless the track has been improved at the time we visited I wouldn't take a stock full sized pickup up the track from the south and from the mouth of Arch Canyon (at least not a new one you didn't want to possible bang up). Even if you did manage to get a big truck up there, you could have walked it faster than to drive it.

That was a few years ago though, so maybe someone has an update. It could be better now (or not). Back then the track wasn't used much and we didn't know one was there until the return.

I have no info on the route from the north, but I would guess it might be less rough.


And it appears there are two trailheads. The most popular being the one at the mouth of Arch Canyon?

And in MK's new hiking book there is a second one listed... I think... his crap is so confusing it gives my a headache trying to decipher it and the trail is not show on his tiny tiny map...

I see only one route on MK's map/desciption. :ne_nau:


Recommendations for the best way to visit Hotel Rock?

As mentioned, it depends on how much adventure and what type of activity you want.

As mentioned there are ruins in the nearby in the canyon to the left, so it makes a good and scenic route, but it is rugged.

If you want the easy way in you could walk in from the mouth of Arch.

If you want a rough drive (if it is legal to drive) you could come in from the mouth of Arch.

Comb Wash is the shortest way in without driving the track, but it's really not faster than the route from the mouth of arch.

[Brewhaha]

We came in to Lewis Lodge TH from the north in a extended cab, extended bed truck. No digging but it was rough dropping down off of Milk Ranch. We swore that the next time we would only come in on 4-wheelers.

[Iceaxe]

We came in to Lewis Lodge TH from the north in a extended cab, extended bed truck. No digging but it was rough dropping down off of Milk Ranch. We swore that the next time we would only come in on 4-wheelers.

I've been told to just park at the top of Milk Point and walk down to the Lewis Lodge Trailhead. Time wise I'm told you can walk the road as fast as you can drive it. Sound reasonable?



I see only one route on MK's map/desciption. :ne_nau:

Correct.... and if you read the actual route description you will note the trailhead he suggests is 2.7 niles north of the Arch Canyon TH everyone else uses.

So if I understand Hotel Rock correctly I'll probably see a heard of ATV rides enjoying the route? If that's true I might hike elsewhere. Let the ATV guys enjoy Hotel Rock and I'll go where they can't.

.

[Scott P]

Correct.... and if you read the actual route description you will note the trailhead he suggests is 2.7 niles north of the Arch Canyon TH everyone else uses.

No, Arch Canyon is actually 2.7 miles from Highway 95 rather another 2.7 miles from Arch Canyon. The directions could have been written better.


So if I understand Hotel Rock correctly I'll probably see a heard of ATV rides enjoying the route? If that's true I might hike elsewhere. Let the ATV guys enjoy Hotel Rock and I'll go where they can't.

Not when I went and the track was obscure at best, but with the increase in ATV's, I wouldn't know how it is now.

Anyway, all the other suggestions would have zero chance of running into vehicles.

To break it down by catagory:

Overnighter

Bowdie Canyon (as mentioned you could take the shortcut and see one of the ruins in one long day, but it would be a shame not to see the rest of lower Bowdie. Waterfalls, pools, ruins and highly beautiful in the middle and lower sections-the upper end above the confluence isn't as good, so the shortcut route is better).

Pretty long day

Big Man Pictograph
Three Fingers Ruin/Hammond Canyon

Moderate Day (length wise)

Upper White Canyon
Upper Armstrong Canyon
Todie Canyon
Green Mask

Half Day

East Fork Arch Canyon
Hotel Rock
West Fork Johns (could be made longer)
Pine Canyon

[Iceaxe]

Scott.... I appreciate your suggestions... but for the most part you are just giving me areas to hike in... I know the areas. What I really want is to know is where all the goodies are at. :nod:

Now if you want to PM me directions to the Green Mask that would be cool. :2thumbs:

Big Man Pictograph, Three Fingers Ruin and Hotel rock I already have beta.

So I'm thinking Seven Kiva and the Citadel one day. Maybe Lewis Lodge and the Doll House the second day?

I'd be happy to swap the Citadel for something else in the area. maybe something else out Road Canyon way?

Anything else up by Lewis Lodge? Anything else near the Doll House I should be stopping to see while I'm out that way?

:blahblah:

[moab mark]

First it looks like I can just drive to the ruin if I come off of Milk Point. Which will not be that bad since I'm planning to hit Lewis Lodge which is in the same neighborhood.... so my question... is that possible and how tough is the road? Can I get there in my pretty 4x4 without dinging or scratching?

I've never tried that route (from the north), but unless the track has been improved at the time we visited I wouldn't take a stock full sized pickup up the track from the south and from the mouth of Arch Canyon (at least not a new one you didn't want to possible bang up). Even if you did manage to get a big truck up there, you could have walked it faster than to drive it.

That was a few years ago though, so maybe someone has an update. It could be better now (or not). Back then the track wasn't used much and we didn't know one was there until the return.

I have no info on the route from the north, but I would guess it might be less rough.


And it appears there are two trailheads. The most popular being the one at the mouth of Arch Canyon?

And in MK's new hiking book there is a second one listed... I think... his crap is so confusing it gives my a headache trying to decipher it and the trail is not show on his tiny tiny map...

I see only one route on MK's map/desciption. :ne_nau:


Recommendations for the best way to visit Hotel Rock?

As mentioned, it depends on how much adventure and what type of activity you want.

As mentioned there are ruins in the nearby in the canyon to the left, so it makes a good and scenic route, but it is rugged.

If you want the easy way in you could walk in from the mouth of Arch.

If you want a rough drive (if it is legal to drive) you could come in from the mouth of Arch.

Comb Wash is the shortest way in without driving the track, but it's really not faster than the route from the mouth of arch.

I do not know alot about the ruins in this area but I do know you will not want to take your truck from arch canyon to hotel rock. If you do I want to come watch. That is a decent jeep trail. We were suprised.
Mark

[Iceaxe]

I do not know alot about the ruins in this area but I do know you will not want to take your truck from arch canyon to hotel rock. If you do I want to come watch. That is a decent jeep trail. We were suprised.

So what you are saying is we will have no problem making it all the way in a rental car......

:roflol: :roflol: :roflol:

[Brewhaha]

Scott.... I appreciate your suggestions... but for the most part you are just giving me areas to hike in... I know the areas. What I really want is to know is where all the goodies are at. :nod:

Now if you want to PM me directions to the Green Mask that would be cool. :2thumbs:

Big Man Pictograph, Three Fingers Ruin and Hotel rock I already have beta.

So I'm thinking Seven Kiva and the Citadel one day. Maybe Lewis Lodge and the Doll House the second day?

I'd be happy to swap the Citadel for something else in the area. maybe something else out Road Canyon way?

Anything else up by Lewis Lodge? Anything else near the Doll House I should be stopping to see while I'm out that way?

:blahblah:

No real destinations near the Doll House or Lewis Lodge. Lots of little stuff that is pretty ordinary.

[Iceaxe]

Fortress in Fable Valley.

OK, so how do you go about finding the Fortress in Fable Valley?

And exactly how do you hike Fable Valley. I was just looking at the USGS map and it looks like a trail runs all the way through with a TH on both ends.

More info please....

:hail2thechief:

[RedRoxx]

I went to Fable years ago, from the top, drove my modified Jeep down a washed out road to the corral, then camped and hiked down in the morning. As soon as I hit the wide end of the valley you could see several ruins in their alcoves across the valley way. I saw a large black bear on the trail in there. I just hiked to the spring and around the ruins and back. I am not sure which one is the fortress.
Any way some friends of mine went there just last year and swear they were stalked by a large black bear.
For some reason I find that area kinda creepy. I won't be back, although quite beautiful.

[bobb169]

Assuming you know how to get into that country...come off of Longs Point Rd on the Sweet Alice Rd. Go along it to the Fable Valley TH (N37 51.674 W109 58.779). Last year the road has got pretty rough and you can only go down it about 1/2 mile so park at the top. Total to hike to the fortress is about 3.5 miles. Fortress is at (N37 53.978 W109 58.052) Along the way you will spot others, the open flat is covered with potshards and ruins. It evidently was a large community. Go on past the Fortress and watch there are other ruins and petroglyphs. The Fable Valley Spr is very good water. This canyon the trail goes back up to the Beef Basin Rd. Go on past the spr about 3/4 mile and there is a ruin high up in the cyn to the west. Not much else past here. Keep on going and you end up in Gypsum Cyn and to the Colorado river, this is a cool hike, did it about 10yrs ago and floated down to Bowdie Cyn and hiked back up to the Sweet Alice Rd. If you go to fable valley also take the time for the Bowdie Cyn ruins, they are worth it as well.

Yes there are Black Bears, we ran across one in Gypsum Cyn. Also they graze cattle in Fable Valley. The road across Longs Point has one place where there is a hugh snowdrift that melts late.

You can PM me for the GPX track.

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01714.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01717.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01772.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01736-1.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01784.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b51/bru15/Bowdie/DSC01779.jpg

[oldno7]

Incredible stuff-----Thanks Bob

[Iceaxe]

Thanks for the info.... you guys are awesome. :2thumbs:

[Brewhaha]

Nice Bobb, another item just got added to my list.

[Iceaxe]

OK.... I think I have one day of our trip dialed in. Thanks to the many suggestions from Bogley members I think we are going to try a down Sheiks Canyon and up Bullet Canyon loop. It will be a long day but it looks like we will get to visit really a lot of awesome stuff.

One question... what is the water quality at the springs along my route? Do I need to pack a pump? Or can I just tab the water? In other words, do the springs emerge from a wall or am I getting it out of a pool?

Now time to start figuring out day two.... :haha:

:2thumbs:

[Scott P]

One question... what is the water quality at the springs along my route? Do I need to pack a pump? Or can I just tab the water? In other words, do the springs emerge from a wall or am I getting it out of a pool?

The "springs" were stagnant pools on our visits. Kind of a swampy taste. Bring a filter.

[hike.higher]

Bringing back this old thread.

There was a little discussion on approaching Hotel Rock from the North. Can anyone comment on that, wondering if anyone knows how things have changed in the past 4 1/2 years.

[Iceaxe]

Bringing back this old thread.

There was a little discussion on approaching Hotel Rock from the North. Can anyone comment on that, wondering if anyone knows how things have changed in the past 4 1/2 years.

It's the same road that takes you to Lewis Lodge, when you hit the Lewis Lodge trailhead just keep driving an additional 4 miles. The road is a true 4x4 road. A stock jeep or 4x4 truck will have no problem, Subaru's and station wagons that some refer to as SUV's will not make it.

Lewis Lodge Route Description
http://climb-utah.com/CM/lewis.htm

[hike.higher]

Thanks. Was planning on Lewis Lodge already and hoping to stretch it to Hotel Rock. I'll give it a try.

[peterb]

That is some crazy/great rock art!