Sunday, October 27, 2024 (Comb Wash BLM Campground, Blanding, Utah)

After yesterday's disastrous day, today we are getting out and doing some sightseeing...the reason we are here!

We headed out of the campground around 9:30 and continued west on highway 95, up the hill. Our first stop was at Mule Canyon Interpretive Site...

The Mule Canyon Interpretive Site is a complex of ancestral Puebloan structures located on Cedar Mesa in southeastern Utah. Well-preserved Pueblo structures found at this site are over 700 years old. The complex includes above-ground and underground dwellings, including a kiva and tower that have been excavated and stabilized as well as a block of 12 rooms. The BLM has constructed a canopy to protect the kiva.

Our next quest was to find the trail to 'House on Fire' in Mule Canyon...

Mule Canyon is a cluster of ancestral Anasazi ruins located in Bears Ears National Monument - Shash Jaa Unit near Blanding Utah. The well preserved Anasazi ruins found at these sites are over 700 years old.

We went down a washboardy gravel road until we found a bunch of cars parked on both sides of the road. I had to ask a fellow if we were in the right place...said I think so. The trailhead is not marked at all so we're not sure if this is the official one.

The trail is considered moderately challenging...well, it certainly was at the beginning, just getting down from the road...

Pictures along the way. With such a narrow trail Steve wished he had worn pants instead of shorts!

We followed the couple ahead, they weren't sure if this was the trail either. We later confirmed with others heading back that it was the trail...

It's a good thing the wash wasn't flooded or the trail would be impassable...

Finally...we have arrived!

That guy was hogging photo opportunities the whole time we were there!

House on Fire sets under an overhang on the right side of the canyon about 30 feet above the wash. The ruin gets its name from the pattern in the overhang that resembles flames emitting from the structure. To catch the lighting just right, mid-morning (9-11am) is the ideal time to get to the ruin.

We were here at the right time but I guess the sun at this time of year was in the wrong position during that time period. Still pretty cool though!

Here is a Google picture of it when "it's on fire"...

Time to head back...

On our way back, we came across some horseback riders on their way to the ruin. He enquired about our truck but wanted one for his horses. We later thought it would work for him if he had Shetland Ponies...😂

Steve climbed up to check it out...

Just an old campfire inside...

After a great hike to see the ruins, we made it back to the truck...now, we need to turn it around and get back out of this canyon. Thankfully a number of vehicles had left and we were able to get turned around and back up the hill...

On our way to Natural Bridges National Monument...

Our first stop was at the Visitors Center, where this interesting vehicle was parked...

His stickers were from all over the world...

After a quick stop in the Visitors Center, we started the 9 mile/14.5 km one-way loop...Bridge View Drive.

What is the difference between an arch and a bridge, you ask?  In simple terms, a natural bridge is a natural stone arch that spans a valley of erosion, whereas a natural arch does not span an erosion valley .

Our first stop was at Sipapu Bridge...

There it is in the distance...

We walked the trail only as far as the viewpoint...

The viewpoint only gives you a side view...

A 38 second video...

Follow that bus!

Horse Collar Ruin Overlook...

Panoramic view along the way...

Closeups of the canyon above and below...

The viewpoint in the distance...

The structures are under the lower overhang...

Looking to the right of the structures below...

Looking to the left...

A 40 second video...

Time to head back...

Panoramic shot with the bridge on the right...

A 1:04 minute video...

Time to head onto the next one...

Owachomo Bridge...We walked to the upper viewpoint. Even though we were tuckered out from all the hiking Steve convinced me our best view would be from down below. The bridge is just off to the right of the sign...

 So down we go...the bridge is in the center of the photo...

Almost there...

Steve was right...again!

Time for the long climb back...

Natural Bridges National Monument is absolutely amazing! It's unfortunate that the pictures just don't do it justice! We highly recommend making the trip there if in the area.

On the way home, we stopped at a viewpoint..

View from the signs...

Bears Ears in Bears Ears National Monument...

Home is down there in that canyon...

Once home we discovered just about everyone that was here on the weekend had left. 

Steve took his drone out to get a video of our camping area. Here is a 3:34 minute video...

Tomorrow we continue south...