Comb Ridge (Bears Ears NM) - 9/30/21

Wolfman Panel

Wolfman Petroglyph Panel

Wolfman Petroglyph Panel

Ruins at Wolfman Panel

Approach from Parking

On the eighth day of the Fab Four's Road Trip 2021, we were very wary of the dirt road conditions when we turned onto Butler Wash Road. It had rained there but we didn't know how much and whether the road was drivable. So, first we sneaked out to the Wolfman Petroglyph Panel that was only about a mile out from the paved road. The road was well compacted and the one wash we dipped through had its own dip but our car was not fazed. For my third time, I took friends down to see the panel. It is a very nice panel albeit additions of bullet holes. On the way up, we viewed the anasazi ruins across the canyon. Back in the car, we continued up Butler Wash Road carefully and slowly. Each dip had dips of their own but the road was not slippery.

The Squeeze

David and Tim viewing the Wolfman

Extension of Comb Ridge

Procession Panel

Procession Petroglyph Panel

Procession Panel

Procession Panel (Men with Torches)

Starting up the Sandstone

About seven miles up the road, we came to the Procession Panel Trailhead. Breathing a sigh of relief, we parked and stepped out of the car. The trail crosses three deep washes then climbs up the sandstone following well placed cairns. The sandstone trail bypasses the wash where there is a large pour over and drops into the wash above that. Going up the wash a short distance, the trail heads up the hill to the right. Eventually, you arrive at the wall where the Procession Panel depicts a meeting of three large tribes, families, or groups of people as they all walk in single file. Animals for the feast are also shown. Some of the people hold torches. We can only guess that this is the meaning of the petroglyph panel. 

Following Cairns

Climbing Wash below Panel

View out to other side of Comb Ridge

Viewing the long Panel

After fawning over the rock art, we returned to the cars the same way we came. Near the trailhead, we tried to locate a trail that led to the neighboring canyons since our next stop would be the Monarch Cave Ruins. There is probably a trail connecting the two canyons but we didn't find it. So, we got back in the car and drove up the road about 0.6 miles. There are portable restrooms placed at the Monarch Cave Ruins trailhead and the Wolfman Panel at this time. 

Stats: 3 miles; 750' gain; 1.5 hours

Viewing the Procession Panel

Returning down Sandstone

Fab Four following Cairns

Monarch Cave Ruins

Monarch Cave Ruins

Grinding Area

Pictograph at Monarch Cave Ruins

Approach Trail in Wash

This was my second time at the Procession Panel and my first time at the Monarch Cave Ruins. These are two exquisite remains of the Anasazi. To get to the Monarch Cave Ruins, the trail drops down into the wash and follows the wash all the way up until it leads up the hill to the right. My initial view of the entire cave and ruins blew me away! The cave is very large and the ruins seem fairly intact. It must have been a very pleasant and defensible place to live.

Monarch Cave Ruins

Monarch Cave Ruins

Sherds

Hand Prints

There are grinding holes in the stone floor and pictographs on the walls. The shelf of the cave extends out along the right wall so there was plenty of room for the people to spread out. We took pictures and left only our name in the log book inside the canister. The hike out seemed shorter than the hike in and we passed a few  people on the way. Back at the cars, we drove back down the road feeling a lot more confident that we would not get stuck in the mud! Another successful day in Bears Ears NM.

Stats: 2 miles

View down Canyon

Back on Wash Trail

Just below Trailhead