Cedar Mesa Ruins & Rock Art
Friday - Sunday, June 8-10, 2012
The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO
This weekend I met my friend Philippe and his wife on their annual trip to the Southwest from France. This year we planned a day to do a little hiking and exploring on Cedar Mesa (Last year we spent a day hiking in the San Rafael Swell). We spent Saturday hiking together and searching for a few ruins and rock art sites. That evening I ended up camping at their campsite in Natural Bridges. We also had an unexpected visitor to camp that evening when Laurent Martres and one of his friends stopped by. It was nice to meet him since I used his Photographing the Southwest books when I first started getting into photography a few years ago. We also got to see a sneak peek of a new book he will be publishing soon. On Sunday I went off on my own to do a little more exploring before heading back home. Here are plenty of photos from the weekend in no particular order.
After work on Friday I drove down to the Mule Canyon Towers and set up camp nearby. I managed to get there just as the sun was setting and striking one of the towers.
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Cave Tower Sunset by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Philippe taking photos of the Bigfoot Ruins. The ruins are named the Bigfoot Ruins because there is a footprint in the mud next to the doorway of one of the structures.
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Philippe and the Bigfoot Ruins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A pile of potsherds found at the Bigfoot Ruins.
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Bigfoot Potsherds by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Bigfoot Ruins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Bigfoot Alcove by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The next few photos are from a large rock art panel found near 'The Shoe'
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The Shoe Panelramic by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Shoe Panel Detail II by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Left Shoe by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Shoe Panel Detail by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Shoe Ruin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
The Perfect Granary was very well-preserved and in good shape. The roof is still completely intact.
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Perfect Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
There was nice reflected light and texture in the sandstone above this little granary.
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The Golden Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Golden Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
While searching some boulders for a different petroglyph panel (that I did not find this time), I did manage to find this small panel.
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Boulder Petroglyphs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I've wanted to find and photograph the Remnant Ruin for a while...I finally got my chance.
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Remnant Ruin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A closer look at the remaining pictographs above the ruin.
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Remnants by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This is probably one of the largest potsherds I have come across so far. (FYI- I don't have small hands.)
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Large Potsherd by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
There were a few more remnants of pictographs found nearby, too.
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All That Remains by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
When I reached the Red Bear Panel, I was surprised at just how large it really was. Photographs don't do it justice.
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Red Bear Panel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Bear Panel B&W by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I revisited the Collapsed Roof Ruin in a little better light. A large boulder of sandstone has broken off from the roof of the alcove and landed on this structure. Surprisingly, the ruin has managed to support it and not been completely destroyed.
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Collapsed Roof Ruin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
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Collapsed Roof by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A small granary found nearby.
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Tiny Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
I also managed to visit the impressive Bighorn Ruins on this trip. There were a few interesting structures at this site.
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Bighorn Granaries by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Two sheep petroglyphs near the ruins in black and white.
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Two Sheep by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
This large pictograph is found around the corner from the ruins.
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Fading Man by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
A small ruin with the doorway in the roof.
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Roof Access by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
Of course I needed to get a photo of the bighorn sheep pictographs with the ruins in the background.
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Bighorn Ruins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr
As usual, I had another great weekend searching for ruins and rock art on Cedar Mesa and I'm looking forward to returning in the fall.
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