Steer Mesa dayhike

[slickrocker]

I went up to Canyonlands I-Sky yesterday and hiked out to the tip of Steer Mesa, just south and west of Upheaval Crater. I followed the south rim out to the tip for great views of the Green R. from Fort Bottom at mile 40 to Tuxedo Bottom at mile 25. After some lunch at the tip I followed the north rim back towards Bighorn Mesa and located the 8 ft. wide neck that separates the two mesas. I wanted to get a rough idea of time and a route back to this spot for a future hike out to the tip of Bighorn. In all I figured this hike to be about 10 miles, but the up and down over slickrock domes and the zigging and zagging to find routes made it a tough 10 miles. It took me about 7 hrs. My dogs were barkin' by the end.

Within the first 1/2 hour I spied a bighorn ram. I just sat and watched him with binoculars for 10 minutes, sorry about the quality of this one, he was more than 100 yds away.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000038-1.jpg

Looking down on the Green at the point where Stillwater Canyon begins.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000042-1.jpg

Looking out to the tip of Steer Mesa
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000045-1.jpg

Valentine Bottom, The White Rim, Ekker Butte in the back
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000046-1.jpg

Buttes of the Cross
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000049-1.jpg

Looking up river into Potato Bottom, Fort Bottom is in the upper right. The White Rim sandstone first appears at the curve in the river, center left.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000048-1.jpg

Me out on the tip, Beaver Bottom about mile 34-35 in the backgound
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000051-1.jpg

Potato Basin Bottom, Bighorn Mesa on the right
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000055-1.jpg

The neck between the mesas
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000060-1.jpg

One of several pool sized potholes out there
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t25/yuccahead/Steer%20Mesa/K7A3A04AE729D3_1000064-1.jpg

[R]

I have been looking at Steer Mesa on the map for w while now, wondering if it's a decent hike. Looks like I'm going to put it on my list. -R

[slickrocker]

It's definately worthwhile, great views, no tourists. Can't ask for more than that.

[Jaxx]

looks awesome. thanks for the pics.