Itinerary

Hikes will be to Butler Wash (Wolf Man Panel and Processional Panel (4 miles RT at about 4,500 feet). In Butler Wash we will visit a spectacular rock art (Processional Panel) perhaps depicting an exit from the Sipapu (place of emergence) and 2,000 year-old Basket maker petroglyphs (Wolfman Panel). A highlight of southeast Utah rock art, Wolfman features unusual human and animal figures. As an “artifact of ideas” Wolfman Panel embodies the mystery, artistry, and technical skill of the prehistoric inhabitants.  We may take a swim on the way back in the San Juan River

Hike to Moon House (4 miles) to visit an Ancestral Pubeloan site in McCloyds Canyon that is actually three ruins in one, with the original timbers in place in several rooms. (These have produced tree-ring dates suggesting occupancy about 1260 AD.) The middle site contains living quarters; the site to the west is ceremonial, with remains of a kiva, while around the corner to the east lies a site of storage rooms that probably once held corn. But it's the unusual construction and pictographs that are best. One site has both an inner and outer section, with two walls that could well have been fortifications with peepholes in the outer wall. One room is decorated in white, with a crescent moon uncolored on one wall, and a full moon uncolored on the other.

San Juan River - Bluff to Mexican Hat (26 river miles). Floating the San Juan is one of the most classic and inspirational Southwestern journeys possible, and it offers fun, adventure, and an opportunity to learn about archaeology and geology. Enjoy a spectacular day float along the remote 26-mile stretch between the towns of Bluff and Mexican Hat, Utah, with explorations and discussions. Our journey includes two day hikes (up to 1 mile RT) through walls of red sandstone and shale, past intriguing rock art panels, past an extinct volcano, and into a deep limestone canyon, once an ancient inland sea and now complete with fossils and magnificent cliffs rising on both sides of the river. 

Hike in upper Grand Gulch, Kane Springs to Junction Ruin and back out (8 miles). What makes the canyons of Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch so beautiful is the magnificent high altitude flora and fauna that embellish the sculpted sandstone gorges. The same fecundity attracted ancient man and so although, modern man only built paved roads through this land in the last 30 years, it was a very popular place for Native Americans for thousands of years. So popular that the canyons abound with the buildings and remains of the Anasazi culture, mostly constructed during the Pueblo periods from 700AD until they were abandoned shortly before 1300AD.

Drive to Hovenweep National Monument to visit some unique tower ruins. Hike about 5 miles to visit various tower groups. Then drive back to Durango for a final celebratory dinner at a restaurant.

Depart for airport after breakfast.

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