Once Again in the North Lower Forest.

CR 160 - June 2014, my dog Jenna and I explored trails at the northern lower end of the Manti-LaSal forest.  In 2015, for some reason, a portion of that trail was now fenced off and reserved for hunting.  However, 2016, we tried the trail once more and it was open fully again; this time freshly graded and widened. 

This has to be one of many relaxing rides we have experienced, so having it open, and improved, was a thrill.  Also, a favorite activity is finding rock groupings, or outcroppings, and exploring these as well; never know if ruins or rock art is tucked inside one of many openings.  Climbing up or down to, and throughout, is great exercise too; we also have developed the good habit of checking for scat and tracks.  Coming face to face with a bobcat, mountain lion or bear is not on the to-do list; taking photos from a distance is, and using a zoom lens to achieve it.

This time, Roy was along with us, and good thing too.  As we went the first half mile on CR 160, from Spring Creek Road, we saw a large pickup truck (New Mexico plates) pulled slightly off the trail.  A man came onto the trail waving his arms at us, so we stopped to see if he needed help; a second man sat in the pickup.  The first man said to us, "Did you see it!?!" in quite an excited tone.  "See what", Roy asked.  "The huge dog running through the trees, I think it was a wolf!"  He tried to persuade us to park and follow him into the trees to find this large dog, but we didn't take the bait.

See, we're smart enough to know that, besides the four legged predators that live in, and roam, the forest; the deadliest predator walks on two legs...Man.  The last known wolf to be killed in San Juan County was a large male (his hide measured eight feet long), sixteen years old, nicknamed "Big Foot"; killed by Roy Musselman in March 1920. ("The Improvement Era Volume 24" – September 13, 2013 by Church of Jesus Christ of Saints,  Story of "Big Foot" by Albert R. Lyman)  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that the last known wolf within the state of Utah was killed in the 1930s.  (Personal Opinion: The senseless slaughter of wolves is BULLSHIT!!!)  Now, since wolves have been seen once again in Colorado, could one or more have made their way to San Juan County, Utah?  Maybe, or maybe these guys saw a large coyote, they can grow as large as wolves; or maybe they were simply up to no good.  We said good luck in finding the dog, and kept driving.

Anyway, we soon found an interesting grouping of rock ledges with small alcoves and did some searching there. 

We did try out CR 119 again, but only 2/10ths of a mile down, the trail turned into a rutted mess just perfect for ATVs. Doesn't mean we won't check it out from time to time to see if it gets graded, and more passable.













A favorite place to stop is just past a dry wash; there's a rocky outcropping that we enjoy climbing up to; Jenna especially loves running around there. 







 

Panoramic View from CR 160

Back onto Highway 191, we weren't ready to head home yet, so decided to try and find Gordon Reservoir. Gordon Reservoir, off CR 120, is located 3.8 miles from Monticello, North on Highway 191.  The first time I'd traveled CR 120, I found the remains of a building; what I didn't know was that the dirt road on the side of the building led to the reservoir.  Most of the abandoned building has been removed, basically only the foundation remains; but we took the side dirt road on a lark, and found treasure at the end. 



The road to Gordon Reservoir.

Members of the CR 120 Road Committee.

 Oh, before I continue, I guess I should introduce you to the CR 120 Road Committee and its future membership.

CR 120 Road Committee in Session.

Future Members of the CR 120 Road Committee.

A Young Member Takes a Lunch Break.

View from CR 120.

Taking in the view from CR 120, we found ourselves being circled by Turkey Vultures; we disappointed them by NOT making ourselves available for the lunch menu.  I remember once a visitor to town asking me, "Why are all those birds circling around in the field outside of town?"  After getting a basic description from her, I surmised they were turkey vultures, to which I answered, "Oh, that's part of the Search and Rescue Team; they find the body, and the circling informs the team where to find it; it also means the vultures have found lunch, and the recovery team better get there pronto!"  I have no idea why she looked at me strangely, but said thank you anyway and left quickly.  Geez, doesn't anyone have a sense of humor anymore?

Anyway, the trail we took to Gordon Reservoir was not in the best condition; long, deep ruts often forced us to drive on the opposite side of the road.  Once we traveled as far as we could, it was a short walk to the reservoir itself....lovely, quiet, cattle grazing at one grassy end; the blades of the windmills slowly turning...it was a picturesque scene.

Gordon Reservoir is named after Warner Eugene, aka Latigo, Gordon, who was the third foreman of the Carlisle Cattle Company.  However, some writings have his name as William E. Gordon, such as in Life in a Corner: Cultural Episodes in Southeastern Utah, 1880–1950  by Robert S. McPherson, and wonder if the author just gave Latigo the same first and middle name of the local sheriff, William E. Hyde by mistake?

 

 

There was a great feeling of accomplishment, finding CR 160 open fully again and finally finding Gordon Reservoir.

So now I'll leave you with a few nature photos.

Horses in a Pasture on Spring Creek Road.

Wooden Stump Sculptured by Nature.

Prickly Pear Cactus.

No matter how much time you have, no matter the weather, go out and enjoy...period, just enjoy.

Mary Cokenour

The Blue Goose Saloon Still Exists in Monticello, Utah.

Since moving to Monticello, I have heard three versions concerning The Blue Goose Saloon; the first that it burned down, the second that it had been moved, the third that it had been rebuilt and then torn down once again.  Well the mystery seems to have been solved when Jim Brandt purchased the old Bar TN property and renamed it Old West RV.  Also for sale was a small home at the northern corner of their property which was rumored to be the Blue Goose.  After purchase, deconstruction was begun and was found treasure beneath the modern layers of plaster and shingles...The Blue Goose Saloon.  With the help of Jim McCarthy, owner of Abajo Trading Post, this cabin of hand hewed logs and planks will be restored and moved to a new location near the Trading Post.

This finding of a historical site and its preservation is exciting news to many in the community.  I went over to the site and took several photos, before when it was for sale, and after the uncovering.  First a little history lesson...

William E. (Latigo) Gordon was the foreman of the Carlisle Ranch located north of Monticello.  The cowboys who worked the ranch often got themselves into mischief, so Latigo built the first Blue Goose Saloon in 1896, grand opening September 10th.  It's location was where the current Main Street is, between Wagon Wheel Pizza and the second hand shop known as Mimi's Thrift Store.  Latigo's intent was to give the cowboys a place to hang out, instead of causing havoc in Monticello due to boredom. After a few drinks, those cowboys either took a long nap, or caused havoc anyway. He closed it less than a year later when the city raised the price of the license to $1,000.00.

Now the cabin which was found, currently located on 300 South, half a block west of Main Street, was built by Ramon Gonsalez after moving here from Colorado with his wife, Guadeloupe, "Lupe". He died in 1902 and she married Bartolo Jaramillo in 1904. He made whiskey, or White Mule, as he called it, and they sold it from the cabin, calling it the Blue Goose. He was arrested for bootlegging in 1920 during prohibition, as part of a federal sting between Monticello and Thompson (Springs).

I have to give another thank you to Jim McCarthy for providing me with the above historical date on the Blue Goose Saloon.

Before Photos After it was Covered Over with Modern Day Materials.

August 02, 2015

There were obvious signs of water and fire damages in the attic.

Chimney



Wonder whose license plate that had belonged to?

Wood Burning Stove

Modern Interior with Wood Beans Showing.

After Deconstruction and Cabin Revealed.

September 28, 2015

Front



Interior (1).

Hand Hewed Logs and Planks.



Interior (2)

Rear and Left Side

Rear and Right Side
 

Right Side - Front

Right Side - Rear

So there you have it, a historical site in Monticello still exists, will be restored and moved to a prominent location on Main Street for all to visit.  History - 1, Naysayers - 0.

Mary Cokenour