Page Type:
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Area/Range |
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Lat/Lon:
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37.42000°N / 109.8°W |
Activities:
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Hiking, Canyoneering |
Elevation:
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6500 ft / 1981 m |
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Overview
Cedar Mesa is a plateau in southeastern Utah the boundaries of which can be defined as follows:1) Elk Ridge to the north
2) Comb Ridge to the east
3) San Juan River to the south
4) Grand Gulch to the west
Satellite photo of Cedar MesaA band of cliffs divides Cedar Mesa into the higher northwestern and lower southeastern sections. The higher sections are 6000-7000 ft high and are covered by a juniper forest while the lower parts are 4000-5000 ft high. Erosion has carved a complex network of canyons into Cedar Mesa creating endless opportunities for hiking and technical canyoneering.
 Abajo Mtns |
 Bears Ears |
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 Comb Ridge |
Evidence of ancestral Native American settlements can be found scattered around Cedar Mesa. While exploring the canyons, you could come across rock art, fragments of pottery, ruins of granaries or residences. The settlements are said to date from 500 B.C. to 1300 A.D. when a major drought is thought to have forced the residents to migrate away.
 House on Fire Ruin |
 Ruin in Owl Canyon |
Moki Dugway
A 3 mile section of Route 261 in southwestern Cedar Mesa is referred to as Moki Dugway. This section is unpaved and makes a number of switchbacks climbing a 1000 ft cliff to go from the lower to the higher part of Cedar Mesa. |
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1 Areas & Ranges