When we travel we usually have a general idea of what we want to see but don’t firm things up until we’re actually onthe road and change the path as weather and interest change. This time we knew we wanted to wander in the four corners area and see some of the rock art and ruins there. We’ve made several trips to the area so we weren’t going to go to Arches or Island in the Sky in Canyonlands again this time. The monsoons hit early this year so most of our hiking had to take place in the morning as it was showery in the afternoon. This led to doing more driving in the rain rather than hiking, picture taking, etc. The only reservation we made far ahead was for the Recapture Lodge the second night. I didn’t wake up to the fact that it was Memorial Day weekend until a short while before we left so once we found lodging in Green River I kept it for two nights and called from the road when we were headed for Kanab. Those places had no vacancy signs on them before the evening was out so it was wise to get a bed for the night. before too late. We were on eastern time still so got up and going early and to bed early. A few pictures are posted under May 2009 Four Corners Trip on www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets.

May, 20: We flew out of Hartford into Albuquerque because we got a great rate on air fare. Drove to Bloomfield, NM for the night.

May 21: Headed to Mesa Verde, got to the VC by ten to find out that Wetherill mesa and long house ruin won’t open for three days and that’s the only area we haven’t explored before. So we hiked down to Spruce House ruin and headed out. Stopped at Lowry Pueblo off 491 north of Cortez and then into the Needles District of Canyonlands. Stopped at Newspaper rock for some pictures on the way into Needles. Time for a hike into Cave Spring and Cowboy camp. Snapped pictures of pictographs there and then out to the end of the road and back to Bluff for a night at Recapture Lodge. It rained periodically with lightning in the distance and fantastic temperature changes when the rain came - near 80 in the sun, 50’s in the rain then back to the 70s within minutes.

May 22: Out to Lower Butler Wash, just west of Bluff, UT, hike along the edge of the canyon to the Wolfman site, took pictures, got out before rain started. Then drove up to Upper Butler Wash, off UT 95 and a hike over the rock to view of the ruins on the far side of the canyon. back on 95 and a quick stop at Mule Canyon roadside ruin. Looked at the end of Lake Powell which has a lot more water in it than the last time be drove 95, lots of fantastic scenery along the way, then on to 24 to i 70 and the Best Western in Green River - great breakfast included with room, so we booked for the next night too, scored a large room with a little balcony overlooking the Green River.

May 23: Up early for very good breakfast and off on our adventure. Our book said that the exit to Buckhorn Wash off i 70 was 129, but there was no exit there and it started raining so we continued west then headed north on 10 to the Rochester Rock art panel site near Moore. Rain subsided so we hiked out to the petroglyphs. Back on the road to Price then down to Nine Mile canyon. Rain started up again so we did about half of Nine Mile Canyon and shot some pictures of the petroglyphs but the road was quickly deteriorating so headed back to Green River for the night.

May 24: Another nice breakfast and off to try to find Buckhorn Wash again. Took the 131 exit marked “Ranch exit” and around the corner, not visible from the exit, was the Buckhorn Wash sign. The road in was a bit nasty due the the previous days of rain, greasy in spots, rutted, water in the dips but not too deep and at least the dips were concrete, glad we had a 4wd . Very nice pictographs in the wash.and the site is well marked, worth the drive. Continued through to Castle Dale and then down 10 to i 70. We were far enough west to continue to Freemont Indian State park. Visited the museum and did a short hike through a petroglyph trail but the rain again. So we deciided to head towards the north rim. Went down i15 to 143 to148. Stopped in at Cedar Breaks NM. What a surprise, very compact, beautiful, who knew it was there? Stopped for pictures, didn’t hike and there was still snow in places as it is at 10,500 feet above sea level. Then on to Kanab, UT for the night.

May 25: Off to the North Rim of the GC. Hiked out to Bright Angel Point and a little along the Transit trail. Nice and sunny to start but clouds threatening rain so we decided to head out. Headed across Arizona through the Hopi mesas and spend the night in Gallup, NM.

May 26: Went on to el Morro and Inscription Rock. Hiked up to the top (2 mile trail) to visit the ruins on top. Then on to Acoma Pueblo - did the tour then spent the night at the Sky City Casino/Hotel.

May 27: Have a mid afternoon flight, so decided to go to Salinas Mission, Abo ruin in the morning and then head up to ABQ and home.

We did more driving than we originally planned because the afternoon rain ate into our outdoor time but got to see lots of places that we hadn’t been to before and we should have done this 30 or 40 years ago when we had more stamina. Maybe it is that we live near sea level and need much more time to get adjusted to the elevation, hiking for us takes longer than the brocures say it should, maybe we pace ourselves and enjoy the views or maybe we’re just a couple of geezers. The views along the way were fantastic and changed continually so driving is quite pleasant.

Thanks for the great report, emalloy. Sounds like an incredible trip!

Thanks for posting; I enjoyed reading this.

Lee Ann

Thank you for the great report.

MY

Wow, you really covered a lot of ground...you must have buns of steel!

How as Acoma Pueblo? I've always wanted to visit there...worth it?

If you have been to Taos, you will find that there are many similarities to Accoma. It was very windy up there and you have to go from the VC in a van with a native guide. Both say they are the oldest, continually occupied pueblo, both have no amenities for the people who live there, who are mostly elders. There were people selling hand made pots etc. in both and the stories of the struggles with the Spanish, the views on dual religions, pueblo revolt, etc. were similar but of course from the point of view of the people living at each at the time. There is a museum at the VC and people selling pots, etc. there too. The tour took about an hour and you could spend as much time as you want at the VC.

We probably would not have covered as much ground if the weather cooperated and fortunately DH likes to drive and except for the horse that wanted to use the road too and a cow or two and the steer who didn't think we should go down the road we had no traffic problems and didn't hit any of the animals although did have to stop and let them decide to let us go. If you've ever driven i95 at rush hour, you think driving in this area is fun.

I gather that you're from Connecticut so, yes, I can see how western driving would be fun...we love it too but try to stick to the back roads. Of course that Utah Gumbo that the rains cause on their backways can give "sticking to the back roads" a different meaning.

We shent 3 hours going 5 miles once a couple of years ago on the highway from Springfield to Hartford so I can relate.

Thanks for the trip report BTW...made me homesick fora place I've never lived!

Lovely photos. I'm jealous!

I loved Acoma pueblo, especially as we had a great tour guide. There's a special feeling that's hard to describe from up on top of the mesa, I guess it was the spirits talking to me!

Hi emalloy,

I'm digging up your old thread because we want to do Buckhorn Wash and wondering how long it took you to do the whole route from I-70 to Hwy 10? If you were only going to do half of the route which half would be the better half? The half near Hwy 10 or I-70? Did you make it to the Wedge Overlook? Would you recommend it too? Any other places you would recommend in the area?

Utahtea

Just so you know......they have just recently changed the name of the Cisco exit # 214 off of I-70 to Danish Flat. Same exit # but different name.
http://www.theanasazi.com/

Sorry.....posted the above on the wrong thread.

Utahtea,

We went to Buckhorn Wash in the spring, after it had rained and had a 4wd, but the road was really slipery, red mud ick with several curvy up and down hills . We started on the I 70 end. Fortunately, DH is used to driving in bad weather, so he handled the trip in to the pictographs and petroglyphs well. When we got to the major panel of pictographs, there was another couple who had come in from UT 10 and it had taken them much less time to get to them, so we made the decision to go out that way and it was an easier trip. I think if the road had been dry, it would have been quite easy to get to either way.

If you plan to camp there, there were several spots where we saw campers pulled off in what looked like a non campground, probably BLM or state land. If I remember correctly there was a real campground too.

We didn't get to the Wedge, because we were winging it for reservations and I called from the car and found a place to stay in Kanab. Dumb to do on Memorial day weekend I know.

Hope you have a great trip.

Hi emalloy,

We did Buckhorn Wash today starting from I-70 and ending at Hwy 10 with a side trip to the Wedge Overlook but we didn't have time to get to the different overlooks.

I just loved the scenery and the rock art. Besides the big panel of pictographs & petroglyphs, we found two other rock art sites and the dinosaur track. This is my new favorite backway!

We picked up the San Rafael County guide called "The Road Less Traveled" which gives great descriptions & directions. I recommend this brochure for anyone looking to travel in the area. http://www.emerycounty.com/Travel/Br...ssTraveled.pdf

FYI, they changed the the exit numbers along I-70 and the exit use to be 129 and was changed to 131. The brochure has all the correct exit numbers.

Utahtea

HI utahtea,

We did figure out that they had changed that exit number. Glad you loved the route.

Thanks for the link to "The Road Less Traveled" We'll have to get that. We have been to some of the places in it , Rochester site was very nice and not a bad hike and not far from the main drag through Moore.

I'm looking for your TR with pictures of this trip!

emalloy