Posted in Utah
February 28, 2018
This Hike Takes You To A Place Utah’s First Residents Left Behind
Ancestral Puebloans called Utah home for centuries before white settlers arrived in the Beehive State. Many archaeological sites are found at Cedar Mesa, in the four corners region. From the late BC centuries to about 1200 AD, this area was home to thousands of native people, and the ruins they left behind provides clues about their lives and culture. Here’s a short, easy hike to see views of the impressive Butler Wash Ruins.
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To find the trailhead, take Utah Highway 95 to mile marker 110. There's a paved parking lot at the trailhead and a vault toilet.
The trail is mostly level and suitable for most hikers. You'll traverse slickrock and walk along a trail surrounded by cacti, desert flowers and sagebrush. Keep an eye out for lizards, birds and other wildlife. Plan on about a half hour to reach the overlook.
Make sure you're adequately prepared for this terrain. Sturdy hiking boots and layers that allow for sudden weather changes are recommended. You'll also want to bring plenty of water along.
A pair of binoculars is helpful to get a close-up view of the ruins, which include cliff dwellings, storage areas and four kivas. The Puebloan people who lived here likely farmed in the valley floor below. The cliffside location allowed for a good defensive position against possible enemies.
It's thought that the Ancestral Puebloans left this area around 1200 AD, possibly due to a long drought.
Accessing the ruins directly is difficult, and not advised. These ruins have been stabilized by the BLM, but otherwise they're as pristine as when they were first discovered in the mid-1800s. Viewing them from a distance helps maintain their structural integrity and keep the ruins intact.
Have you ever hiked the trail to see the Butler Wash Ruins?
You’ll also want to check out House on Fire – a magnificent archaeological treasure that you can find down an easy, one-mile-long trail.
