Hole in the Rock

So Joe and I went for a little adventure this last weekend. We went to follow the pioneer trail that led from Escalante to Blanding. We followed the trail part of the way and a bulldozed trail made in the 50's since the pioneer trail is too treacherous for and rig to drive on. The first day we visited the Lewis Lodges. These were made by the indians and were on the side of a cliff where the Indians lived so they could be safe from other Indians. There was a war going on at the time since water became very scarce which eventually drove them out of the land. These ruins are said to be 1200+ years old. By living here the Indians were safe from below and above. The only way to get to them was to walk along the ledges. the trick however was to find the spot to get down to the ledges which is a few canyons over and is pretty well hidden. The wind was blowing so hard our trail leader
wouldn't let us hike to them; next time.





We then went over to Hotel rock where we found some more ruins.





The next day we headed out to the trail and came across one of the wagon wheels left by the Pioneers.


The pioneers also left a truck out there. Not sure where or why there was a truck there but it made for a picture moment.



We also came across-ed and old military half track from world war ??



Then made our way to where we camped for 2 nights.
It was 28 miles from the pavement in to our camp and the 15 to the end of the trail at the Hole In the Rock.


Grey Mesa. This is where the trail got real scary. The pioneers brought there wagons down this part of the trail and carved steps to help the animals. We drove the graded part at this point since it would be near impossible to drive where they went.




Once we got up Grey Mesa we stopped to see the big bend of the San Juan.



Around camp there were Noki balls everywhere. They are little marble like rocks made from raindrops millions of years ago.


Coming down the chute


Finally made it to the end of the trail. Any farther and we'd have to hike it but still wouldn't be able to get all the way there since there is now Lake Powell in the way. The crack in the ridge towards the middle of the screen is what the pioneers made to get through making a hole in a rock.