IntrepidXJ
ADVENTR
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2012
- Messages
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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
Featured image for home page:

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
Featured image for home page:
