Most tourists heading to southeast Utah go to Moab, as the city is well known, trendy, and close to both Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Moab is also very expensive.
We chose to stay in Monticello instead, about 50 miles south of Moab. While this means longer drives to the parks, Monticello is less expensive (by a lot) and closer to Natural Bridges National Monument and Mule Canyon, two of our must visit places.
Natural Bridges National Monument is a fairly small park, consisting primarily of a one-way scenic loop drive on top of Cedar Mesa. The drive is only a few miles, connecting viewpoints of the natural bridges over the canyon below. Hiking trails in the canyon likewise connect the bridges.
Three massive natural bridges are located in the park: Sipapu (the second largest natural bridge in the world); Kachina; and, Owachomo. Natural bridges are formed by water, unlike arches which are formed by wind and sand.
The photographs do a lousy job showing the immense size of these bridges.
Trails to the bottom of the canyon vary in difficulty, but are all quite strenuous. Our plan to hike to base of Kachina was foiled by an oncoming storm. One day we will have to return to hike the trails in the canyon.
Natural Bridges was the first park to receive an “International Dark Sky” designation. Unfortunately, we were not able to see the stars and Milky Way during our visit. Clouds and/or a full moon are not conducive to viewing the night sky. Oh well, this is just another reason to return to Natural Bridges in the future.
On our way to Natural Bridges we first stopped for a short hike in the south fork of Mule Canyon, which is in Bears Ears National Monument.
Mule Canyon was made famous by a photograph titled House on Fire. I’m not sure who first took and/or named this photograph, but it is very famous and often copied.
The trail to House on Fire is an easy 2.0 miles roundtrip following a creek bed. It is possible to go several miles farther up the canyon, but I doubt many folks do.
Upon arrival at the House on Fire location we found three other photographers there – not to mention a local tour guide who brought two van loads of elderly tourists on this hike.
We stood off to the side, patiently and politely watching this enthusiastic guide talk for a good 10 minutes or so, mostly about nothing. During this time the guide was incredibly annoying as he purposefully moved to block other hikers from taking the House on Fire photograph. I guess he wanted to put on a good show for his paying customers.
Several of us rejoiced when the guide finally shut up and moved along with his customers in tow, leaving the rest of us to enjoy the area in peace.
On this hike we met a retired couple who are touring the United States in a fifth wheel travel trailer. At one point we considered doing the same, and this discussion got Stephanie thinking about pickup trucks and trailers again. Who knows, maybe an RV is in our future.
After a full day at Natural Bridges and Mule Canyon, we stretched our legs by walking three blocks from our Airbnb to Family Dollar to grab some cold beer. On the walk Stephanie made a very astute observation: We stick out like tourists more in Monticello than in Europe.
I hope we return to this area one day, preferably with a high clearance 4WD truck as there are many hikes and places that we missed: Corona Arch; Fisher Towers; Dead Horse Point State Park; much, much more hiking in Canyonlands National Park; hiking and the night sky in Natural Bridges National Monument; and, Muley Point overlook – to name a few.
Miles Hiked:
Natural Bridges National Monument: 0.5 miles (estimated)
Mule Canyon Trail: 2.0 miles
It is time to move on. We are heading west to Torrey, Utah to visit Capitol Reef National Park.
Garrett and Stephanie
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WOW! I’ve never heard of, or seen House on Fire … amazing!
just great!