Cedar Mesa Suggestions

[Cayuse]

Planning a trip for the third weekend in April. Going to arrive in SE Utah midday on Thursday and will head south for home Sunday morning. Plan is to setup camp once, not move around a bunch. Would like to be able to do some hiking and exploring from camp and hopefully have some interesting subjects to photograph as well. Been to VotG several times and Muley Point as well so while options they aren't really being considered for this trip. Have driven through both Comb and Butler Wash but not spent much time in either suggestions there? Also looking at something up higher off either Cigarette Springs Rd or Snow Flats Rd.

So open to thoughts from the collective with keeping these parameters in mind. Anyone spend much time on Cigarette Springs or Snow Flats?

Thanks,
Bob

PS. Well aware that it is EJS weekend in Moab but as near as I can tell they won't be coming this far south.

 

[dr.tucson]

I've thought the Cedar Mesa area was magical since the first time I drove up Moki Dugway years ago. Last spring I talked a friend into driving the Snowflat Rd across and down to Comb Ridge. We stopped at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station to inquire about road conditions and they informed us that they were good, it was sprinkling at the time; one of their crew had just been that way though no specific time frame was mentioned. We headed back to Snowflat Rd and started in, still sprinkling, almost raining. After about a mile, we encountered a Forest Service grader working on the road, and it was close to raining. We continued on and came to an intersection, that of course wasn't on the map we had. Picked the one that looked most used and got another half mile or so and came to another intersection, again unmarked and not on our map. We chose the one that looked most used again and continued on and ended up in the midst of many cows and a whole myriad of roads. Had it not been almost raining (gumbo roads) we might have continued. But we turned back. I don't think I could look at enough maps before trying it again. For sure I will try it again.
Have fun,

 

[Cayuse]

I've thought the Cedar Mesa area was magical since the first time I drove up Moki Dugway years ago. Last spring I talked a friend into driving the Snowflat Rd across and down to Comb Ridge. We stopped at the Kane Gulch Ranger Station to inquire about road conditions and they informed us that they were good, it was sprinkling at the time; one of their crew had just been that way though no specific time frame was mentioned. We headed back to Snowflat Rd and started in, still sprinkling, almost raining. After about a mile, we encountered a Forest Service grader working on the road, and it was close to raining. We continued on and came to an intersection, that of course wasn't on the map we had. Picked the one that looked most used and got another half mile or so and came to another intersection, again unmarked and not on our map. We chose the one that looked most used again and continued on and ended up in the midst of many cows and a whole myriad of roads. Had it not been almost raining (gumbo roads) we might have continued. But we turned back. I don't think I could look at enough maps before trying it again. For sure I will try it again.
Have fun,

I've been out Snow Flat Rd as far as Moon House Ruin so know what to expect there so hoping for some camping ideas, looks like thee are a couple side roads off Snow Flats that might provide options, same with Cigarette Springs.

I agree, it is a magical place.

 

[Vic Harder]

I'm adding Snow Flat Rd to my Sept/Oct trip!

 

[AHutch]

Hi,
The Seven Kivas trail - off of Cigarette Springs - is a great hike. Check it out!

 

[Cayuse]

Hi,
The Seven Kivas trail - off of Cigarette Springs - is a great hike. Check it out!

Thanks, further research has me looking at that and The Citadel.