Devil's Canyon Campground

Sept 11   Moab - Devil's Canyon Campground     65 miles     1 1/2 hours

Wilson Arch on Hwy 191

We left Moab this morning and headed south on Hwy 191. We're staying at a National Forest Campground called Devil's Canyon Campground. It's absolutely beautiful and quiet up here. It's cooler because it's higher up so when we got here at 11 am, it was only 76 degrees.  It's dry camping  $10 per nite and we plan to stay 3 nites. Devil's Canyon is located between Monticello and Blanding.

Our site #12

 









After setting up our camp, we drove into Blanding and went to the visitor's center. The lady working there gave us a tip on where to find 5 Kiva Ruins located right in Blanding so off we went. We found it and was admiring the views when another car pulled up and said they were going to hike to the ruins. We were kind of hesitant because it was on the other side of the valley. We decided to follow behind them and I'm glad we did. So amazing to be among ruins where people actually lived, probably 800 to 1,000 years old.

5 Kiva ruins from the other side of the valley

The hike took us across a creek

Had to squeeze thru some tight places

Almost there

Worth the hike

 Sept 12

This morning we went to Edge of the Cedars State Park and Museum.  It offers a glimpse into the past, with ancient artifacts, and a tour through ruins right behind the museum, including a 1,000-year-old Kiva. Joe enjoyed this museum, we spent a lot of time there.

Next we went to find Butler Wash Ruins. It was supposed to be a half mile hike to the viewpoint, but it seemed longer. Plus it was the middle of the day, very hot! We finally arrived and saw cliff dwellings that were built and occupied by the Anasazi Indians approximately 700 years ago. We had to view the ruins from across the valley.

Trail was rocky

and sandy

 Sept 13

We did a lot today. We got up early and drove out to Mule Canyon. We did the hike to House of Fire. About 1.25 miles one way. When we got there, no one was around so we were kind of hesitant because its kind of a long hike into a canyon. But I really wanted to see the ruins and believe me, it was worth it. House of Fire is absolutely awesome. 

Lucky we got an early start

House of Fire

Next we drove to Mule Canyon Ruins. The ruins here is an open Anasazi habitation site consisting of both above and below ground structures.

Finally, we drove to Natural Bridges National Park which features three bridges that have been formed by millions of years of water and wind erosion. We did the Bridge View Drive thru the park that leads to overlooks for all three natural bridges and Horse Collar Ruin archeological site, another cliff dwelling. The paved loop was nine miles long. We thought we could drive right up to the overlooks but each one had a short hike.

Sipapu Bridge

Horsecollar Ruin

Kachina Bridge

Owachomo Bridge