Mule Canyon Hike to House on Fire

Gopher Flats
June 5, 2019
Moab, UT

June 5th was a fun day trip.  Our destination was about 80 miles south of Moab.  We were up early and headed south on Hwy 191.  

A beautiful stretch of Hwy 191

After driving through Monticello and Blanding, we made a right turn onto Hwy 95.  

A new Highway for us to explore.

We kept our eyes open for a dirt road on the right just past mile-marker 102.

After paying a small fee at the kiosk, we drove a quarter of a mile and parked on the side of the road to begin our hike in Mule Canyon.  This hike has been "in the bucket" of things to do for quite awhile and I was thrilled to be there.  I was also thrilled that only one other vehicle had parked at the trailhead.

The pleasant hike into Mule Canyon is well marked and quite pretty this time of year if you like tall canyon walls covered in green foliage, trees and wildflowers.

 The trail follows a creek bed as it meanders through the canyon.  This area is loaded with Anasazi ruins with House on Fire being the most popular.  The ruins in Mule Canyon date back to 700 to 1000 years ago. 

It was a bit surreal walking and talking in the canyon that the Anasazi also lived in going about their daily lives and depending on the plants and animals for survival.  

The yucca plants were plentiful in the canyon.  It's so cool to think that the Anasazi used them daily for many necessities. Since they were such great weavers, they had skills to use the yucca in many ways. Hats, ropes, shoes and clothing were created along with string used to make weapons.  Yucca produces a "banana like fruit" that also provided a great source of fiber.  

 Our destination for the day was House of Fire.  It's a little over a mile from the trailhead.  And our goal was to be there mid-morning to catch the glow from the indirect sunlight that gives the ruins it's name.  We were early, so we waited...

...and waited...

and like magic, the House on Fire !

A big "WOW"!

As with so many of our adventures, our hike through Mule Canyon to House on Fire summons us to other hikes and more ruins there...a goal to check more off the bucket list.

I'll close for now with a few more pictures from the day. 

Nature's art...

My favorite color for prickly pear blooms...

This is not a National Monument or park.  The ruins in Mule Canyon have not been restored nor rebuilt.

The beginning of the trail before it dropped into the wash...

There was a family of crows in an alcove just above House of Fire.  Not a great photo, but mama stayed very busy feeding her two babies.

 So, until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Hoo-doos, Wildflowers, and Gorgeous Scenery...Amphitheater Loop

Gopher Flats
June 2, 2019
Moab, UT

About 23 miles east on Hwy 128 is a great hike that is fast becoming a "tradition".  We have enjoyed this easy trek for the past couple of years with spring being our favorite time. I love the wildflowers and this year with Mother Nature's delay of warmer weather, we waited until  the first of June to head that way. 

Parking for the hike is at Hittle Bottom Campground across the street form the trail. 

Amphitheater Loop is an easy 3 mile trek through a wash area before it climbs a 250 ft rock wall to the top of a ridge that circles back to the beginning.  The suggested route is counter-clockwise.  

Hoo-doos are typically a thin spire of rock that protrudes from a wash.  They consist of softer rock that easily erodes and topped by a harder rock that protects the spire. 

  

 A variety of wildflowers dot the desert along the trail, but our reason for waiting until June was so we would be sure to see the Showy 4 O'clocks.   These large clumps of purple flowers die back each winter and reappear the next spring.  

It is so cool that Navajo Indians boiled these flowers to make a light brown or purple color for dying wool.

















Some flowers don't grow in bunches, but are just as showy.

At the end of the wash, just before the rock climb, the amphitheater really comes into view.
Looking left...

to right.

Once on the ridge, gorgeous views of the Colorado River, Castle Valley and Fischer Towers come into view.



















































We didn't really have a spring here in Moab. Just like most of the country, we went from windy, cold, rainy days to quite warm and dry days.  On the home front we have settled into a nice routine which includes an early evening play time at the doggie park.  

So, until next time, take care and...

HAPPY TRAILS !