Split Level Ruins

Description

If you are on Butler Wash road in Bears Ears National Monument, Split Level ruins are not one to pass by. This short hike is well worth your decision to add it to your list of Comb Ridge adventures.

Like with our last post about Fish Mouth cave, you begin your hike just off the road, traverse across the river bottom, cross the field, then you will hit the rock surface and start walking into the canyon.

Twist along the semi-dry stream bed into the canyon and you will be led directly to the split level ruins. They are just that, multi level ruins. The ground level ruins are unique in that the natural boulders were used to form much of the outer wall, rather than typically seen masonry-style walls. There are also some impressive metates, where the rock surface was worn down from grinding corn with a Mano, a hand hand stone.

Be sure to take some time and look along the slope. Many, many, many pieces of pottery of variable sizes, colors, and textures. I loved seeing the ones formed from pressing clay into woven forms. While you cannot take any of the pieces, it is still incredibly special to see them in person and up close.

Also take the time to walk along the canyon wall and take the Moqui steps and view the petroglyphs. We saw a pregnant woman and other art renderings that we have not seen on panels before.

Tell Me More

Difficulty: Easy.

Trail Stats: 2 miles, out and back, 137 feet elevation gain.

Trail Finding: Straight forward.

Conditions: Dirt, sandstone.

Would I Repeat This: Yep!

Let’s Do This

Parking: Parking present.

Timing: You really could do this one any time of the year.

Downloaded Map: Not necessary but always helpful.

Fees: You must pay a day or multi-day use fee for hiking in the Comb Ridge are through recreation.gov.

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