Edge of the Cedars Travel Guide.

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum is not a park that permits camping or activities as allowed in a public park.  It is an Ancestral Puebloan archaeological site, museum & archaeological repository. 

Outdoor park facilities include a short, paved interpretive trail around the ruin, landscaping with native plants and outdoor sculptures, and picnic area.

• Location is within the town of Blanding; 21.3 miles south of Monticello along Hwy 191 for 20.1 miles, right onto Est 200 North, right onto North 400 West, left onto West 400 North, right to access parking area.

• Open March – November (except Thanksgiving Day), Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm, Sun 9-4pm; December - February (except Christmas Eve & Day, New Year’s Eve & Day), Mon-Sun, 9am-2pm.

• Restrooms, water fountain, gift shop inside.

• Admission Fee: Yes

• Camping – Not allowed.

• Pets – Not allowed.

• Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/ (scroll down to Edge of the Cedars box)

• Address: 660 West 400 North, Blanding, UT, 84511

• Phone: (435) 678-2238

Edge of the Cedars is also part of the Four Corners Lecture Series.  We've enjoyed many an afternoon listening to educators on pottery, weaving, rock art, geology, native plants, foods and life in general in the 4 Corners region of the Colorado Plateau.

Mary Cokenour

Mule Canyon's Cave Towers Travel Guide.

Cave Towers, also referred to as Mule Canyon Towers or The Seven Towers, is named for seven large Anasazi, or Ancestral Puebloan, stone towers that were built around 1200AD at the head of a deep gorge.  It is speculated that they are a defensive position protecting a spring in Cave Canyon, as well as granaries and puebloan ruins along ledges.

• Location is 43.9 miles from Monticello; take Hwy 191 south into and through Blanding, 24.6 miles, until the junction of State Hwy. 95, make a right onto Hwy. 95 and travel 19.3 miles.

• Make left turn onto dirt road that has a gate across it; open gate, close after passing through. Travel 4/10ths of a mile to reach a parking area with information board. Access to trailhead is 4/10ths of a mile further along a dirt and slickrock trail that can be hiked, or accessed by 4-wheel drive vehicles with high clearance only.

• Round trip walking distance to ruin sites is 1.6 miles; walking slickrock at canyon’s rim, granaries and pueblo ruins can be seen along the canyon’s ledges.  Approximate visitation is 1-2 hours.

• Difficulty: Easy; there is a steep walk to tower ruin on right side of trail.

• Facilities: None

• Admission: Free

• Camping: Allowed, check informational board at parking area for locations.

• Pets: Allowed, owners are expected to clean up after pet (s).

Walking along the ledges, looking out at the Pueblo ruins, and the surrounding scenery, is mind blowing.

Mary Cokenour

Dinosaur Museum in Blanding Travel Guide.

At The Dinosaur Museum, the complete history of the world of the dinosaurs is presented. Skeletons, fossilized skin, eggs, footprints, state-of-the-art graphics, and beautifully realistic sculptures present the dinosaurs from the Four Corners region and throughout the globe.

• Location is at the southern end of Blanding; 21.4 miles south of Monticello, along Hwy 191 for 21.3 miles, right turn onto 700 South & left onto South 200 West to access parking area.

• Open April 15 – October 15, Mon-Sat, 9am-5pm, Closed Sunday.

• Admission Fee: Yes.    Special group rates are available for tours of 10 or more persons.
                                      Guided group tours are available with reservations.

• Camping: Not Allowed.

• Pets: Not Allowed.

• Website: http://www.dinosaur-museum.org

• Address: 754 South 200 West, Blanding, UT, 84511

• Phone: (435) 678-3454

From the youngest child to the oldest adult, if you are fascinated by dinosaurs, don't miss this museum!

Mary Cokenour

Nations of the Four Corners/Nations Natural Bridge/Westwater Ruins Travel Guide.

Nations of the Four Corners is a cultural center honoring those who added to the history of the area: Ute, Navajo, Hispanic, and Pioneer.

• Location is within the town of Blanding; 21.1 miles south of Monticello along Hwy 191 right onto West 500 South, go 6/10ths of a mile to access parking area.

• Five (5) mile loop hiking trail (maintained gravel/dirt) featuring replicas of Pioneer, Hispanic & Native American home life; an observation tower and Prayer Arch.

• There is also a five (5) mile loop trail (dirt/rock) to the overlook of Westwater Ruins aka Five (5) Kiva Pueblo & to the one (1) Natural Bridge.

• Open year round; open to school field trips, general public & tourists.

• Admission: Free.

• An across the canyon view of the Natural Bridge & Westwater Ruins is located on West 1600 South.

• Website: https://www.sanjuanfoundationutah.org/

• Address: 580 South 650 West, Blanding, UT, 84511

• Phone: (435) 678-4000


Nations of the Four Corners/Nations Natural Bridge/Westwater Ruins

• Location: From Nations of the Four Corners, go east on 500 South to return to Hwy. 191 (6/10ths of a mile), make right onto Hwy.191 to go south to 1600 South (USU Trucking School on corner) (1.1 mile).  Make right onto 1600 South.  The paved road dead ends at Utah Department building; continue onto dirt/gravel road to the left (CR 232 aka Ruins Rd.).

Nations Natural Bridge

• Travel 1.2 miles to a pull-in for Nations Natural Bridge; there will be a sign indicating the Natural Bridge.

Westwater Ruins aka Five Kiva Ruins

Westwater Ruins aka Five Kiva Pueblo is an outstanding example of ancestral architecture of a cliff dwelling that was occupied about 750 BC to 1275 AD.  Although inhabited from Basketmaker to Pueblo III, the current set of ruins is primarily Pueblo III.  The broad flat plaza of the main central area is the location of the kivas; storage and housing rooms are the room blocks seen behind.  A natural spring in the canyon would account for why the ancestral Puebloans chose this area to reside in.

• Continue along road to Westwater Ruins aka Five (5) Kiva Ruins; keep an eye on the canyon walls to the right of the road as there are granaries tucked into it.  The road dead ends at an unpaved parking lot (5/10ths of a mile from the natural bridge), Westwater Ruins can be seen across the canyon, facing northward.  There is a steep, yet easy to hike, trail (dirt & rock), downward to the edge of the canyon face where an unobstructed view of the ruins can be seen.

• Total mileage from Nations of the Four Corners to Westwater Ruins is 3.4 miles.

Nations of the Four Corners also has picnic areas, so pick up a meal and enjoy the scenery.

Mary Cokenour

Mule Canyon Roadside Ruin Travel Guide.

Mule Canyon Roadside Ruin

Mule Canyon Roadside Ruin is an open Anasazi habitation site consisting of both above-ground and below-ground dwellings. This site was initially occupied briefly about 750 AD, reaching its peak between 1000 and 1150 AD.  Pueblo ruins consists of 12 rooms, a reconstructed Kiva, and remains of a tower.

·        Location is 44.8 miles from Monticello; take Hwy 191 south into and through Blanding, 24.6 miles, until the junction of State Hwy. 95, make a right onto Hwy. 95 and travel 20.3 miles.  There will be a sign indicating the turn off into the parking area.

·         Round trip walking distance is ¼ mile along a concrete walkway; approximate visitation is 30 minutes.  Informational boards are at the Kiva site.

·         Difficulty: Easy

·         Vault toilets, parking area; but no drinking water available.

·         Admission: Free

·         Camping: Not Allowed

·         Pets: Allowed, owners are expected to clean up after pet (s).

    

 The concrete walkway, and short distance, makes this ruin site very accessible to those with walking disabilities or are wheelchair bound.

 Mary Cokenour

House on Fire Travel Guide

House on Fire Ruin

House on Fire Ruin obtained its name from the swirling, striated patterns on the rock roof above the structures, during a certain time frame of daylight; making the roof look as if it is engulfed in flames.  The rooms are not living quarters, but instead are granaries used by Anasazi to store corn and other crops.

·         Location is 44.2 miles from Monticello; take Hwy. 191 south into and through Blanding, 24.6 miles, until the junction of State Hwy. 95, make a right onto Hwy. 95 and travel 19.6 miles.  Make a right onto Mule Canyon/Texas Flat Road (graded dirt road and there is a sign indicating it), go 3/10s of a mile. 

·         There are widened parking areas on both sides of the road; on left side of road, walk 25 feet & go down a very steep and sandy decline.  There is an informational board at the trailhead.

·         Best time of day to see “fire” effect is between 8am to 11am; by 12 Noon, the entire site is in shadow.  Many alcoves along the trail have the “fire” effect, but no ruins are inside them.

·         Hike is round trip two (2) miles; approximate visitation is three (3) hours.

·         Difficulty: Easy; the trail goes into and out of a dry wash in several places, a walking stick is recommended due to the sandy soil along its banks and the rocks lining the wash’s bottom.

·         Climb up onto the ruin’s ledge is very steep; there are two (2) well-worn trails upward that can be followed.

·         A Geocache is located at the site.

·         Admission: Free

·         Facilities: None

·         Camping: Only in designated BLM camping areas; see informational board at start of Mule Canyon/Texas Flat Road.

·         Pets: Allowed, must be leashed at all times; owners are expected to pick up after their pet (s).

  

                       This is a wonderful early to mid-morning hike!

                       Mary Cokenour

Butler Wash - West Fork - Travel Guide

Butler Wash – West Fork: Ballroom Cave, Target Ruin, Tower House

Ballroom Cave

Ballroom Cave was inhabited between A.D. 1150 and 1350; there is a main alcove plus two caves.  The climb up to the alcove and into the caves is quite steep.

 Target Ruin

The Alcove is filled with various rooms with a curtain wall fronting the alcove and rooms behind it at one end. The Target Ruin is named for a large target or bulls-eye design painted on the side of a wall inside the curtain wall.

Tower House

Tower House is a 1000 year-old cliff dwelling, also known as the "Waterfall Ruin" as during rainfall, a waterfall falls over the cave opening.

·          Location is 34.9 miles from Monticello, take Hwy. 191 south into and through Blanding, 24.6 miles, until the junction of State Hwy. 95, make a right onto Hwy. 95 and travel 10.3 miles.  There is roadside pullout on the right (northeast) side of the road near the sign for the “Butler Wash Ruins”, park in the pullout. If you reach the turnoff for the Butler Wash Ruins (Overlook) you have gone too far. Turn around and head back 3 - 10ths of a mile to the pullout.  There will be a fence to walk through with a BLM mylar marker.

• Distance: 3.2 miles (round trip) to see three (3) Ruins along West Fork of Upper Butler Wash.
• Elevation: 5,215-ft. at Trailhead, 5,315-ft. at West Fork of Upper Butler Wash
• Elevation Gain: 100-ft.  
• Difficulty: easy-moderate on well worn, dirt trail; steep climbing near ruin sites.
• Admission: Free
• Camping: Dispersed, no water or vault toilets.
• Pets: Allowed, must be leashed, owners expected to clean up after pet (s).

 Bring lots of drinking water for this hike, and don't forget the picnic!

Mary Cokenour

Butler Wash Ruins - Pueblo Overlook.

Butler Wash Ruins - Pueblo Overlook

Butler Wash Ruin is a cliff dwelling that was built and occupied by the Ancestral Puebloans, sometimes known as Anasazi, in about 1200 AD.  There are habitation, storage and ceremonial structures, including four kivas.

·         Location is 35.0 miles from Monticello; take Hwy. 191 south into and through Blanding, 24.6 miles, until the junction of State Hwy. 95, make a right onto Hwy. 95 and travel 10.4.  There will be a sign indicating the turn off into the parking area.

 ·         Round trip hiking distance is 1 mile and takes approximately 30-60 minutes.

·         Difficulty: Moderate.  Trail to the site winds its way across slickrock and into/out of washes to reach an overlook of the cliff dwelling. An interpretive sign is located at the overlook.

·         Vault toilets, parking area; but no drinking water available.

·         Admission: Free

·         Camping: Not Allowed

·         Pets: Allowed, owners are expected to clean up after pet (s).

There are a couple of benches along the trail; sit and enjoy the scenery.  Bring a picnic lunch, but whatever you pack in, must be packed out!

Mary Cokenour

Return to Mule Canyon Cave Towers.

I've previously posted about the first time visiting the Cave Towers at Mule Canyon with Four Corners Adventures, so here is the return visit the next day.  On that first visit, I mainly stayed on the left hand side of the canyon area; this is about the right side.  The high winds were gone, the sky clear and sunny; walking the ledges was a piece of cake, and no holding the camera with one hand, while the other held onto a tree for support.



Now, how to find the Cave Towers (aka Seven Towers), from Highway 191, going south from Blanding, go 19.3 miles along State Highway 95.  On the left hand side of the highway you'll see a dirt trail with a gate across it; just open the gate, go through and make sure to reclose the gate.  About 2/10ths of a mile, you'll reach a parking area with an informational board; the ruin site is only 4/10ths of a mile further on, so you can either hike to them or drive.  If you drive, make sure you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle with high clearance, skid plates would be a beneficial addition.

View from Parking Area.

As I said in my previous post on Cave Towers, the seven towers are distributed along the rim of Mule Canyon.  Roy and I climbed to the partial tower seen on the right hand side; use a walking stick for extra leverage on the sandy upward trail.  Within this tower is still one of the original wood beams, and a view of the puebloan ruins along the canyon's wall ledges.

Mule Canyon Wall Ledges with Pueblo Ruins.

Some of the towers are completely collapsed, but as you travel from one tower to another, you will notice that the other six are in view to each other.  Their placement protected the canyon, the secret spring that ran within this area, and watch guards were in sight of each other.  Smart strategy!

Ruin on Ledge Below Collapsed Tower.

The advantage to being able to walk the ledges, along the right hand side, is being able to better view the ruins tucked into cave openings and along the wall ledges.  A zoom lens on the camera is a huge help in seeing them properly, and we also had binoculars.

Pueblo Ruins Along Wall Ledges

 

 

 





Ruin Near Mesa Top.

My previous post on the Cave Towers included photos of Mule Canyon, so here I concentrated on pillars, pinnacles and walls.

 

 



Walking back to our vehicle, we found two interesting things, well interesting to us at least. The first was a stone which seemed to have a circle with lines radiating from it; was this a carving of the sun, or simply natural weathering from sun and rain?  The second was a gathering of dried juniper berries on the path itself.  The nearest juniper bush was about 10 feet away; the wind might have blown them there, but they were so neatly together.  More than likely, they had gathered by a bird or small creature.

Like the rest of Mule Canyon, this area is quiet, serene and beautiful; come visit, however, leave it as clean and complete as when you first entered.

Mary Cokenour