Blanding, Utah

So much to see in this area

San Juan River

Along side of the San Juan River

Barton's Trading Post is a historic ruin in the area of Bluff, along the San Juan River, originally known as the Rincone Trading Post, founded in the early 1880s.

San Juan River

The historic Barton's Ferry was a ferry crossing at the Rincon on the San Juan River, which was established by Amasa Barton after he took over the trading post in 1898. This location was a popular crossing point for many years, and the ferry was a crucial link for local travel. He also built a blacksmith shop and corral, and managed the operation with a water wheel.  The water wheel was used to lift water from the San Juan River for irrigation.  The ferry operation ended after Barton's death in 1887, and later, the Elk Mountain Cattle Company used the site as its headquarters. Today, the only remains of this historical site is the foundation for a water well and the milk house walls.

River House Ruin is an ancestral Puebloan multi-room dwelling. The rectangular rooms

were used for both living and storage, while the circular rooms (kivas) were primarily used

for religious purposes. 

Butler Wash Panel formally known as  Kachina Petroglyph Panel.

Tower Ruin

Big Feet

Comb Ridge Dugway is a historic, unmaintained road built in the 1960's that used blasting to cut through the Comb Ridge before the modern highway, Utah State Route 95 was constructed in the 1970's.

Looking over towards Comb Ridge Dugway

Target Ruins

This is how the ruins gets it's name.

Arch Canyon Ruins

Over looking Arch Canyon

Hotel Rock Ruins is perched on a mesa above Arch Canyon.

Over Under Ruins

Natural Bridges National Monument, a rainy day plan.

Sipapu Bridge

Horsecollar House

Kachina Bridge

Owachomo Bridge

As we head up Mule Canyon about halfway to House on Fire we encounter a few people frantically headed out.  They are warning us of water coming down canyon.   We stop to evaluate the situation and talk to another couple headed out before making our decision to keep going.

The water made for some interesting crossings.

We were taking bets on how Timber was going to get across.  He surprised us all by jumping all the way across the water.

House on Fire Ruins

House on Fire gets it's name because under the right conditions it appears there is a roaring fire coming out of the roof. This phenomenon happens only during mid mornings on a clear day as the sun is reflected from the adjacent ridge onto the roof of the alcove containing these ancient cliff dwellings.

We gave this couple all the time they needed to get their pictures alone.  They were oblivious that we also wanted to get pictures without them.