JPFreek - Index

JPFreek - magazine - Index

We chose to hike Road Canyon which is located almost
directly in the middle of Cedar Mesa.. Road Canyon was a good
choice for us because it is not as crowded as the more popular
Grand Gulch area and also because it allowed leashed dogs.
We picked up our permits at the Kane Gulch ranger station and
began our drive up the road to the trailhead (N37.39085
W109.83642). That was an adventure in itself and 4WD low was
needed on several occasions to get there. Road Canyon is
about 1000 ft deep. Thanks to Jackie’s route finding skills, we
found the faint trail that drops down to the canyon’s floor.
Several sections required scrambling skills, but Scout had no
trouble negotiating these sections. Four paws are definitely
better than two feet when it comes to scrambling. Once on
the bottom of the canyon, our ten mile hike was absolutely
beautiful and we didn’t see another soul all day. The hike
generally followed the intermittent creek, then traversed up
the side of the canyon to avoid the steep gullies. After about a
mile or so, we reached the Seven Kivas (N37.39488 W109.82345)
ruin which is one of the most pristine examples of a cliff
dwelling in the area. The guidebooks indicate this was likely a
very important and spiritual site for the Native Americans who
lived in the area. We were amazed to see that some of the
original logs use to make the roofs of the kivas were still intact.
We went on to hike an additional three miles down the canyon.
We returned the way we had come, and with the fading light
and change of direction, the canyon took on an entirely new
look. It was like hiking down a different canyon.
Our final few days were spent at the Arch Canyon Jeep
Jamboree with Mark A. Smith. We were very excited about the
opportunity to meet Mark and attend this event. We enjoyed
meeting new people at the welcoming dinner on Thursday
evening at the Lamplight restaurant in Monticello. Thanks to
the Ute tribe, we were allowed to camp at the mouth of Arch
Canyon with the west side of the Comb Ridge looming above us.
Friday morning was cold and clear, but we were eager begin our
trail ride up Arch Canyon (rated 3). While our group chose the
easier route on Friday, the other group would head up to Hotel
Rock (rated 9), a trip we would be taking the next day. Arch
Canyon was beyond spectacular, with 1000 ft canyon walls to
either side, about 50 stream crossings, and ancient cliff dwellings
dotting the route. After about eight miles and lots of dust, we
arrived at our lunch spot where a short hike was rewarded by
views of a natural arch. The evening entertainment included live
music, dancing and stories by local Ute tribe members.