The Wheels on the Bus go round and round, round and round, round and round. : May 2025

Our view of Monument Valley heading to Bluff

Mexican Hat

John's Canyon

From the other side of the canyon it didn't look like we would be able to get through this rock slide, but it was no problem.

Broken Man petroglyph

Hiking to the Procession panel off of Butlers Wash

The Procession panel depicts three snaking lines of 179 human-like figures, marching in single file and converging on a great circle. The panel also include images of deer, bighorn sheep, elk and geometric shapes. The small human figures appear to be led by a few larger ones carrying hooked staffs and wearing headdresses.

Petroglyphs on Comb Wash Road

Overlooking Arch Canyon Road

Hotel Rock Jeep Road

Lunch spot overlooking Arch Canyon

Hotel Rock is a fairly well preserved ruin perched on a mesa above Arch Canyon.

Sitting Hen Butte in Valley of the Gods

Road Canyon

Pottery sherds

That was a long 8 1/2 mile hike on a hot day. At the time, I referred to it as the worst day of my life. Dave laughed at me.

The instant we saw this advertisement in March we knew we needed to go

You can find these petroglyphs and more near the boat ramp at Sand Island

We look at all the petroglyphs while our rafts are loaded

The San Juan River offers river rafting through one of the world’s greatest outdoor museums. With opportunities for hiking to Ancestral Puebloan sites to view rock art and cliff dwellings. The Upper Canyon trip starts in Bluff and floats 27 miles to Mexican Hat. Nights 1 & 2 are spent on the Navajo Nation side of the river.

Day 1

Getting our instructions before launching

Between stops one & two Dave lost his phone in the bow of the boat. The phone was in the water between 1 & 2 hours. Once he found it, it worked for a few hours but then died. Hopefully he approves of my pictures.

Butler Wash Panel

Camp is set up for the night. We all have been given instructions on how the use the "Groover".

It's been a long time since we have slept on the ground. We did it for one night in 2018. Prior to that it was back in 1994.

Desecration Panel

Figures have been selectively desecrated, possible related to a healing ceremony to remove evil spirits.

Our first sunset on the San Juan River

Day 2

Woke up to this donkey wandering around right outside our tent at sunrise

Marley and Levi loading up for our morning departure

River House is nestled into the west side of Comb Ridge. This magnificent 14 room ruin is a delight to have the opportunity to see up close.

After we got camp set up some of us walked up river to float down and cool off

Mule Ear

Hiking to Chinle Wash

Pottery sherds

Baseball Man petroglyph

Yellow, but faded petroglyphs

We shared our camp site with a dozen turkeys

Day 3

We saw lots of Bighorn sheep

Check out all the baby Bighorn

In 1907 Emery Goodridge began drilling for oil along the San Juan. His highly successful drilling started an oil boom to the region and gave rise to the town of Mexican Hat. The remnants of exploratory oil wells and the primitive road to Lime Creek here were built in 1928 by the Utah Southern Oil

Company. Like many oil prospectors, they found no oil and abandoned their machinery.

The San Juan River is a fantastic place to find fossils, particularly in the Paradox Formation and other ancient rock formations along the river's cliffs. These rocks preserve evidence of ancient marine life, including crinoids, sponges, and other fossils dating back millions of years.

Crinoids

Floating back to camp

Day 4

With calmer water, our guides hooked all the rafts together for one big party.

Our guide Kari

Back on dry land after 4 awesome days on the river with Dr. Andrew Gulliford.

We explored ancient sites, swapped stories, laughed and had great food. Huge thanks to this amazing crew, Marley, Levi and Kari for making it such a memorable trip!