StantonHyde

Took the kids "down south" for Fall Break--this year, I based our vacation out of Bluff, Utah. This is one of my favorite places in Southern Utah. I have always used it as a jumping off point for my backpacking adventures but there is plenty to do for those not seeking the back country. My kids are 13 and 10--decent hikers but prone to complaining if it gets too hard/too hot. I wanted to keep everybody happy so I focused on hikes/outings geared to them.

Lodging:
I have always stayed at the Recapture Lodge. The best place for a community of outdoors people---they have super friendly staff who can advise you on hikes, a free/decent breakfast, and a library of local info that is out of this world. BUT they were booked for the Bluff Arts Festival!! So, I ended up at the Desert Rose and the best fit they had was the 2 BR cabin. The cabin was lovely--the finishes etc. The queen bed room is small but the room with the 2 twins is spacious. There is one, large bathroom. A small living room and a nice kitchen with a small eating table. The "porch" looks out at the Bluff--nice, but you are sitting in a gravel parking lot--not so good. The cabin was $290 a night and did not include breakfast (we had the kitchen to make our own but at that price point...) So it is toss up--do you want fancy amenities or a little less with folks who are in the know?

Dining:
We ate breakfast in the room except for my latte--a must have. I tried the one at Dukes. Admit I like the one across the street at Comb Ridge better. Lunches we packed because we were hiking.
Dinner: Night one was at Twin Rocks. They have a good variety and a great kids menu. Plus some ok beers and wine. Not fine dining but really not bad for the absolute middle of nowhere. Night two was Dukes: very limited menu. The best thing to do here is to get the amazing spring salad and some of their flat breads. Those items are very different and were fantastic. They had a good grill cheese sandwich for my son. BUT--they don't have a liquor license. That is a limiting factor for me. Fortunately, I brought wine with me so I could have a glass before and after dinner!! Night Three: We were tired and got food to go from Twin Rocks.

Activities:
Day One:
We hiked the various hikes along Butler Wash: Wolfman Panel and Monarch Cave. Then decided to stop at the Mule Canyon Ruins by the road (95) and hike to House on Fire Ruins in South Mule Canyon. I had never driven the Butler Wash Road--that is a long road!! Wolfman Panel is really cool--it had been over 20 years since I had seen it. Monarch Cave is now closed off so you can't get to the dwellings--my daughter was very disappointed. The Mule Canyon ruins were interesting and extremely easy to see. House on Fire Ruin is one of my favorites--I hiked it and the rest of the canyon for the first time this spring. Fortunately for us, there had been a recent rain and some new pottery pieces had "washed up". We put them right back where we found them!!!

Day Two:
Drove to the 4 Corners Monument--I have ALWAYS wanted to stick my legs/arms in different states. Weird bucket list item! Then we went to Hovenweep and hiked the 1.5 mile trail by the Visitors Center. This is a great trail. But October is prime season for rattlesnakes--they are migrating to their dens. There was a really big, beautiful golden brown one by the side of the trail and we just waited until it went its way. But then we got buzzed/rattled at by at least one near a bench--didn't see it but that always scares me more!! Then my son almost stepped on a baby rattler that totally blended in with the trail. Honestly to Pete! I was DONE at that point. I see lots of snakes in Salt Lake but I really don't like riled rattlers. shudder. (Ok, I will take them over the moose I saw hiking 2 weeks ago--I have no interest in coming face to face with a bull moose in fall. I ended up crashing through the underbrush to get off the trail but that's another story...) We had an interesting drive through the North East section of the Rez on the way back. "yes, honey, those are horses in the road--the sign does say Open Range".

Day Three:
Started the morning at Bluff Fort. Wow, the LDS Church has done a great job with this. It is nicer than This is the Place Park in SLC!! I really liked it and the history and all the items the kids could see in the cabins. There were a number of items my grandmother always had on her farm (she was born in 1911) so that was fun for me. Then we went up to Edge of the Cedars Museum/Park in Blanding. sigh. This is my idea of heaven. I love Ancestral Puebloan culture/artifacts/pottery/sandals. Some of these items I have heard mentioned in hushed tones (the macaw sash, the Perfect Kiva ladder) and I have hiked so many of the canyons where these items were found. Plus there is a restored Kiva and the kids could get into it. Yay!! Then we drove home.

Always remember--the middle of October is Fall Break for all of Utah Schools--it is always jam packed as people scramble for a get away. When I drove through Moab Saturday night, it was a total zoo. I am glad we went to an out of the way place and glad we started the trip a day early and went home Saturday vs. Sunday. We even a big ole moose outside of Spanish Fork on Route 6--just watching the traffic roll by......

emalloy

Wow! What a great trip. I remember our trip to the Wolfman site, I couldn't help thinking that DH had the keys to the car in his pocket and if he were to slip down into the canyon, should I hike down to see if he's ok or out to get help. Very brave to take the kids on that trail.

We were in the area for a while earlier this month, but didn't get down to the Bluff area. We've stopped at the Mule Canyon roadside ruin, but haven't been to the House on Fire, was it an easy hike in?

4 corners is hokey, but fun even if it isn't where it is supposed to be. Did you post pictures of you with your parts in the four states? I'm so glad we didn't encounter any rattlers, and I hope your son didn't get hit by the little one.

Thanks for posting and bringing back some good memories.

StantonHyde

emalloy--the Wolfman trail is actually really easy--you just have to find the right crack into the site/over the edge. The House On Fire Site hike is so easy it is amazing! Short steep descent at the beginning from the road to the trail and then flat as can be. The whole trail up the canyon is quite nice as well if you want to go on a bit and see more ruins on the cliff face. (e.g. you are down by the stream, ruins are up higher)

I did indeed get pix of me spread eagles on the spot. Two girls did backbends with their feet and hands in different states--cute!--I would have clunked my head

My son barely missed getting bit and babies are the worst--they go for the venom more than the big guys. That was more than this mama needed!!

Ackislander

We hiked all over Hovenweep with friends some years back. Good thing we didn't know about rattler migrations or we might have stayed in the car!

I love that part of the country.

Dayle

StantonHyde,

Thanks for another great trip report. Your kids are so lucky to have a Mom who takes them to these great places. I do appreciate your TRs because you acquaint people with less known Utah areas that have much to offer!

Happy trails

sludick

Thanks - adding rattler migration to the list of things I didn't know about in advance.

Another was your warning about mid-October school break in Utah. Yes, that was us in the crowd at Moab - we just spent 4 nights there arriving 10/14. A total zoo, as you said..

StantonHyde

Dayle: Thanks! Once you've seen all the "top" stuff and you're limited to a 6 hour drive, you've got to get creative!! It's fun for me to do the shorter hikes etc-especially through their eyes We do big trips for spring break so we have to go on the cheap for fall!!!

Dayle

StantonHyde

And aren't we lucky to live in a place where we can do the frequent short trips to such great places?!

StantonHyde

Dayle--that's exactly why I moved to SLC!!!!

spirobulldog

We did the 4 Corners thing a few years back. Just had to have the pic standing on 4 States. Nice Report!

sharondi

What a fun trip! House on Fire is a spectacular site and a nice, easy walk up the wash. Great selection of fun and interesting sites. Always enjoy the incredible collections at Edge of Cedars.

During this year's fall trip back in early Sept, we took the backroom tour at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado - very worthwhile. Also enjoyed Salmon Ruins and the incredible restored kiva and ruins at Aztec NM. We spent a few days exploring Canyon of the Ancients but need more time there. So much to explore in the 4-corners region.

Thanks for the great trip report.

Dayle

Sharondi,

How did your friends enjoy Utah?

StantonHyde

Sharondi--I love that museum. I want to do those 3 sites you mentioned. But I think I will have to find a way to talk my husband into doing it as a couples get away. My kids and I would torture each other with my wanting to read all the signs and their wanting to run through the museum at warp speed