Bears Ears; last minute planning

We're thinking about hitting the road for a week or so in Bears Ears.  

Since we're currently "dogless" it seems like a good time to visit and we can do some hikes, etc. w/o having to worry about a dog.

So, any suggestions of areas we shouldn't miss, best places to camp, hikes, etc.?  If you'd like to PM me, I will respect the suggestions and not share with anyone else. 

I appreciate any ideas, etc.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin, I've blogged about many areas in Bears Ears (and just got back from a week in SE Utah yesterday.) There's been some rain, but the mid to lower elevations should be fine. I'd not suggest Elk Ridge or up in the Abajo Mountains just yet—those areas are impassible when wet.

I'm not a hiker (bad knees), so I'm not super knowledgeable about hikes, but know there are lots of interesting trails.

You might want to look at my blog's map of locations at https://bosquebill.b...-locations.html

Click on any pin for a link to that entry. For questions, feel free to use the email address in the header.

I've spent a fair amount of time exploring Bears Ears NM. There are basically three areas that most people visit. Lower Butler Wash (Comb Ridge), Cedar Mesa & the area up on Elk Ridge (through the Bears Ears formation). As Bill noted the upper elevations are probably still muddy from the snow this year. Assuming you are doing day hikes & have a high clearance vehicle this would be my list. All of these are pretty well documented on the internet, but I'm happy to share some sources, actual tracks, & waypoints if needed,

Lower Butler Wash Road (262) runs between Hwy 95 & 163. There are numerous canyons that extend up into Comb Ridge that can be easily done as day hikes. The most popular are Monarch Cave & Procession Panel, but there are many others.

Day hikes on Cedar Mesa: Kane Gulch (ranger station to Grand Gulch), Moonhouse (needs an online permit reservation), Fallen Roof & The Citadel (same side road), Bullet Canyon, Mule Canyon, Cave Towers, Butler Wash (off Hwy95). And Natural Bridges NM - not part of Bears Ears, but worth the visit since it's on Cedar Mesa.

You can camp anywhere on BLM land. Butler Wash Road has many turn-offs to the various trailheads & camp spots. On Cedar Mesa it's the same once you leave Highway 261 or 95.

If you go to Bluff stop at the Bears Ears Education Center. On Cedar Mesa, the Kane Gulch Ranger Station is open 8-12 every day until June 15th & they are very helpful about road conditions, etc. Natural Bridges has water, trash disposal & a campground if you need it. I usually shop in Blanding for groceries & gas (closed on Sundays).

This is the BLM website for day hiking passes & other information.

https://www.blm.gov/.../utah/cedarmesa

Have a great trip. Rick

Just got back from that area myself, (and met Bosque Bill too!).  We drove up to Bears Ears from the south side, no problem,  Still snow on the road after that as of May 13th.

Just got back from that area myself, (and met Bosque Bill too!).  We drove up to Bears Ears from the south side, no problem,  Still snow on the road after that as of May 13th.

Thanks Vic and everyone else.  Due to health / surgery scheduling we won't be able to go :-(  Maybe in the fall.

I've spent a fair amount of time exploring Bears Ears NM. There are basically three areas that most people visit. Lower Butler Wash (Comb Ridge), Cedar Mesa & the area up on Elk Ridge (through the Bears Ears formation). As Bill noted the upper elevations are probably still muddy from the snow this year. Assuming you are doing day hikes & have a high clearance vehicle this would be my list. All of these are pretty well documented on the internet, but I'm happy to share some sources, actual tracks, & waypoints if needed,

Lower Butler Wash Road (262) runs between Hwy 95 & 163. There are numerous canyons that extend up into Comb Ridge that can be easily done as day hikes. The most popular are Monarch Cave & Procession Panel, but there are many others.

 

Day hikes on Cedar Mesa: Kane Gulch (ranger station to Grand Gulch), Moonhouse (needs an online permit reservation), Fallen Roof & The Citadel (same side road), Bullet Canyon, Mule Canyon, Cave Towers, Butler Wash (off Hwy95). And Natural Bridges NM - not part of Bears Ears, but worth the visit since it's on Cedar Mesa.

 

You can camp anywhere on BLM land. Butler Wash Road has many turn-offs to the various trailheads & camp spots. On Cedar Mesa it's the same once you leave Highway 261 or 95.

 

If you go to Bluff stop at the Bears Ears Education Center. On Cedar Mesa, the Kane Gulch Ranger Station is open 8-12 every day until June 15th & they are very helpful about road conditions, etc. Natural Bridges has water, trash disposal & a campground if you need it. I usually shop in Blanding for groceries & gas (closed on Sundays).

 

This is the BLM website for day hiking passes & other information.

https://www.blm.gov/.../utah/cedarmesa

Have a great trip. Rick

Great info Rick!  Thank you.  We've had to postpone an early season trip (health) and hopefully can do it in the Fall.  We have the rig in my picture (4x4, etc.) and prefer more seculded camping areas, etc. away from crowds if possible!

Kevin