Utah, Re-Ruined (Apr 2021)

We had unfinished business in Utah, after our Ruining Around Utah trip back in spring of 2019. An unseasonably wet winter meant that the higher elevation roads were still impassable due to snow, so one of our primary goals - the Lewis Lodge ruins - remained just out of reach. And I haven't gotten back since.

I'd had so much fun on that trip - searching for Native American ruins - that I decided it was time to go back. This time, the plan centered almost entirely around ruins - Lewis Lodge, Hotel Rock, Moon House, River House, Jailhouse, and wonders of Arch Canyon forming the backbone of the adventure. Of course, I'd see other things as well along the way as I travelled Cedar Mesa from Blanding to Bears Ears, and down Comb Ridge to Gooseneck State Park to Mexican Hat.

I'd get more than I bargained for, and then some. And I can't wait to go back again!


Day 1: Stymied Again by Lewis Lodge (full story, more pics)

...Retracing my steps, I found the spot where I'd gone wrong, and continued on the correct way. If such a thing was possible, the road got rockier, the ledges got taller, and the trail got narrower along the side of the cliff. I had 3.5 miles of this trail before reaching Hotel Rock, and the first half mile took me nearly 45 minutes...

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...Awe would be the best way to describe the feeling I had as I lingered there inside the cathedral, looking out its arch. Clearly such a reverent place, I found myself expecting to find some Native American dwellings or rock art on the walls around me, but while they surely found the place inspiring many hundreds of years before me, they must have enjoyed it the same way I did - looking out onto Arch Canyon and the wonders it held....

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All Alone in Arch Canyon - Re-Ruined #2​

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All Alone in Arch Canyon - Re-Ruined #2​

 

...I maintained that 50mph for the better part of half an hour before stopping again; perhaps my longest uninterrupted run of the entire trip. Comb Ridge was majestic the entire time, providing visual interest in both its profile - as well as my search for ruins - as I sped along its base....

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Following Comb Ridge to Moonhouse - Re-Ruined #3​

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Following Comb Ridge to Moonhouse - Re-Ruined #3​

 

...Had I made it to Lewis Lodge on the first day of this trip, Mexican Hat would have been my last stop before pointing the truck north and heading home. However, given that it was only a bit after noon, that I hadn't made it to Lewis Lodge on the first day of the trip, and that I hadn't seen any snow on the trails I'd travelled so far, I'd hatched a plan the previous evening to work my way north on UT-261 in order to give Lewis Lodge one more shot.

I'd approach it from Bears Ears, via the route - one may recall - I'd been told was impassable. Hopefully, everyone was wrong....

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Repeat Failure, and Finally Redemption - Re-Ruined #4​

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Repeat Failure, and Finally Redemption - Re-Ruined #4






And that's the story. I hope you've enjoyed it! As always, you can get emails of new stories by:

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Dan, great trip report, as always!

This place is just up the street from me (would have enjoyed joining you), so I know what to explore the next time I'm in the area.

@Sixthelement and I came across a stuck vehicle late one night. Helping them out, if you're capable of doing so, is always the right move.

Looking forward to the next one.