President’s Day Weekend on Cedar Mesa

[IntrepidXJ]

Saturday - Monday, February 14-16, 2015

Diane and I spent Valentine's Day and the long President's Day weekend on Cedar Mesa for our very first camping trip of the year. We setup our base-camp at the Natural Bridges National Monument campground and enjoyed the beautiful spring-like weather all weekend. The temperature never dropped below freezing at night and was a very comfortable mid-sixties during the day. It was nice hiking weather in the middle of February and a great time to get outside to explore the Colorado Plateau! We spent the weekend revisiting a few ruins and searching remote canyons for new ones. Here are plenty of photos from our weekend adventure!

I have visited the Moon House Ruins a few times in the past, but Diane had never been here. I finally managed to get some photos I am happy with of these ruins.


Behind the Wall by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The highlight of our weekend was finding this amazing pot. I've always wanted to see a complete pot out in the wilderness, and I'm glad I've finally been able to have the experience. When I first took a photo of this pot I envisioned it in black and white.


Ancient Vessel by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Front Step by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The warmer temperatures melted off most of the snow on the mesa tops which filled up these large potholes.


Snowmelt by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


McLoyd Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Warm reflected light compliments these pictographs at the Moon House Ruins.


Moon House Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A hoodoo stands at the edge of a Cedar Mesa canyon.


Cedar Mesa Hoodoo by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Detail of the painted wall in the Moon House Ruins.


Stripe by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A hoodoo reflected in a small puddle.


Hoodoo Reflection by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Our base-camp at Natural Bridges with the Bear's Ears in the background.


Natural Bridges Camp by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

This interior room at the Moon House Ruins is very difficult to get a decent photo of. Not only is it very dark in there, the only light that does get in there comes through the only door, so keeping your camera and tripod shadow out of the photo is impossible. Here's my best attempt.


Moon Room by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Beautiful reflected light above the exterior wall at Moon House Ruins.


Moon House Ruin by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Decorative by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Here's a color version of the beautiful pot that we found.


The Pot by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Round Room by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Red Man by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Driving along Comb Ridge near sunset.


Along the Comb by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Diane climbing down from the rim of a Cedar Mesa canyon.


Climbing Down by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Dark Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Two Rooms by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Around the Bend by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Ancient Doorway by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The pot was well protected under a shallow ledge.


In Situ by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Corncob Ruins by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Corncob Granary by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Granary on Fire by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

One last photo of the pot showing the large crack on the other side.


Cracked by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr


Interior by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

We left for home on Monday morning, but not without stopping at Looking Glass Rock on the way.

Moss Back Butte shortly after sunset as we left Natural Bridges.


Moss Back Butte by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

With the warmer temperatures in the afternoons, sections of the roads became a little muddy.


Leaving Natural Bridges by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

The large alcove in Looking Glass Rock containing the arch.


Looking Glass Rock by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Through the looking glass...


Through the Looking Glass by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Some faint Barrier Canyon Style pictographs that have been vandalized over the years.


Looking Glass Pictographs by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

A snowstorm over the Book Cliffs.


Distant Snowstorm by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

Shadows and scattered storms over the Grand Valley.


Grand Valley Desert by IntrepidXJ, on Flickr

>> President's Day Weekend on Cedar Mesa Photo Gallery
>> The Original Trip Report on ADVENTR.CO

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[BJett]

Still beyond impressed that you found that pot by reading between the lines of 'In Search of the Old Ones'.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Still beyond impressed that you found that pot by reading between the lines of 'In Search of the Old Ones'.

I wish I could say that I found this pot only using the information in the book (maybe eventually I would have?). I found a few other photos elsewhere that helped me narrow down the location.

 

[Opi]

The highlight of our weekend was finding this amazing pot.

I thought that was pretty easy to do out in Colorado these days.
Cool stuff as always!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I thought that was pretty easy to do out in Colorado these days.

You'd be surprised...a number of counties and cities have banned the sale. So it's easier to get in some places over others.

 

[Vegan.Hiker]

Awesome stuff as always Randy. I love that picture looking down the road.

 

[John Goering]

"cracked by IntrepidXJ" Why did you do that Randy? Great photos.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

"cracked by IntrepidXJ" Why did you do that Randy?

Hey, now don't start a rumor like that!

 

[TannerT]

I thought that was pretty easy to do out in Colorado these days.
Cool stuff as always!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

[Smaugxxx]

Hope you keep this secret for you (for the pot) and don't share anything with.
I'am very happy that's the pot still always intact.

 

[Bob Wire]

First class move to leave the pot and no trace of a trail to it. Well done

 

[Smaugxxx]

Shuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu the winddddddddddddddddddddddddddd Life isssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss greatttttttttttttt keep cooooollll Alan

 

[tozo]

great photos and report. I was in the same area, mostly wandering around Comb Ridge and exploring Valley of the Gods. The weather was truely amazing for February.Nice photos as always!

 

[Taylor F.]

Moon House is one of my favorites in the Cedar Mesa area. Visited it last year about this time.

 

[gnwatts]

Nice pot.

 

[JSDez23]

Great report, looked like a beautiful weekend out there on the Mesa! It's great to see the Pot is still there and safe. I've seen it twice over the years and is definitely one of the most special things I've visited out there. Moon house of course is quite spectacular to say the least, those are great shots you took! My parents were the ones to bring me to the pot originally, after researching it and making many trips over a span of 2-3 years to find it after reading David Roberts book. Wasn't sure how many people had seen it.