On Wednesday we decided to take a break from ATVing (really Emmi needed a break ) and do a driving/hiking tour. First stop was the town of Blanding for breakfast and other supplies then onward! Natural Bridges National Monument is located just northwest of our boondocking location. It was a really bright, sunny day with no clouds making photo taking a challenge at best but here’s what I got--
Horsecollar Ruins are also located inside the national monument. There are trails for walking underneath the bridges and to the ruins but it’s a nice leisurely stroll downhill to the bottom and one grueling hike back to the top—not happening with our two cowboys!
By the time we finished seeing Natural Bridges, it was almost 4pm. We drove to the trailhead for House of Fire, paid our $2/person and walked the one mile mostly level path.
After seeing the ruins we’ve been able to access via ATV and hiking, House of Fire was a disappointment. We weren’t there at exactly the right time for the sun to “light” up the house but we all felt the other ruins we saw were much more spectacular.
So, today (Thursday) Geri and I are once again in Blanding doing laundry—gotta have clean clothes so we can ATV some more! Life is good!
Great pictures, a fantastic place:)
ReplyDeleteThe Natural Bridges eight mile hike is a tough one. You park at the third bridge and then walk across the mesa for two mile and begin by going down under the first bridge. The tough part is that the trail is fairly deep sand and slightly uphill the whole way. We were exhausted by the end.
ReplyDeleteThere are at least six other ruins beyond the House on the Fire. The whole trail goes out about 3.7 miles one way. Sorry you didn't get to see the light reflecting off the house or the rest of the ruins. Some are almost perfect but too high above to get into.
Sounds like you were able to get your friends to stay for awhile longer:)
Gotta love a good zoom lens! Your long shots are so clear, it's like you're standing right there. I've only seen pics but I think the House on Fire is one of the most amazing ruins. Even later in the day you captured a lot of the fire above - so beautiful :-)
ReplyDeleteJanna, thanks for keeping the adventure's going we are sure enjoying them. Your pictures are wonderful!
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