Fish Mouth Cave

If you have driven along Comb Ridge on Butler Wash Road, you have likely seen Fish Mouth Cave high in the rocks in the distance. This is our third Bears Ears National Monument trip and we knew this would be on our list of places to go after it catching our eye the last two trips.

The really fantastic part about this hike, was not only getting up and into the cave, but seeing the ruins along the way, the insane volume of pottery pieces, and the second cave with some of the most unique petroglyphs we have ever seen.

Like many of the other hikes along Comb Ridge, you begin your hike just off the road, traverse across the river bottom, then you will hike rock surface and start walking toward the ridge. 

As you wind back towards Fish Mouth Cave, there are several ruins to explore. The most pottery shards we have ever seen were all over the ground at the multiple archaeological sites. We spent a lot of time finding pieces, comparing textures, paint color, patterns. Oranges, greys, black and whites, red, absolutely incredible finds. They all are left where we found them, please do not take any artifacts from these protected sites.  

When we got the steep uphill leading to the cave, it was every hiker for themselves. Take your time on this looser surface. You will eventually enter the cave, a huge cavern with an epic view outward. When facing out, head to your left to descent, it was easier than the boulder field. You will also come to a small set of ruins and another small cave.

The small cave had lots of unique petroglyphs, including many types of footprints, both human and animal. Many of them were on the ground, which fit with the content of the prints, but still an atypical location to see petroglyphs. 

Difficulty: Moderate in general. If you decide to ascend to the cave, it can be strenous depending on your route. 

Trail Stats: 1.7 miles, out and back, 262 feet elevation gain. 

Trail Finding: The trail starts off fairly clear. When you reach the back of the canyon and the ascent to the cave begins, it’s all about finding your own route up, there was no set trail that we saw.

Conditions: Packed dirt, sandstone, rock, loose scree and rocks. 

Would I Repeat This: You bet!

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 area.

Trails: Monarch Cave, Split Level, Wolfman Panel, Procession Panel, and much much more.