Hovenweep and Four Corners

June 9, 2013 Sunday

Today we took off to enjoy what I thought was going to be a short driving day.  Turns out I was wrong.  According to Google, Hovenweep is 48 miles from the campground.  Somehow we got messed up and drove about twice that.  I don't know how, I was following the posted signs, but it took forever. 

What is Hovenweep, you ask?  It is a grouping of ruins and is now a National Monument.  Hovenweep means "deserted valley" in Ute and Paiute.  They were discovered around 1854 and it is believed that Pueblo Indian ancestors lived there over 700 years ago.  The structures are build on the rim of a canyon.  You really need to want to come here to find the place.  There were a lot of pests like flies and biting gnats.  It was also in the high 80's so we didn't do the entire 2 mile hike. 

Stronghold House -

From left to right - Twin Towers, Eroded Boulder House, Rim Rock House (These were on the other side of the canyon) -

Hovenweep Castle -

Square Tower -

Tower Point -

After we finished hiking here (we did about 1 mile round trip) we headed out to find the Four Corners Monument.  It took a bit and some luck we found the right road and located the monument.  An explanation - the maps we had didn't have some of the roads on them so we had to just guess if there were no signs pointing the way. 

Anyway, after driving through Utah, Colorado, and part of New Mexico we made it to Four Corners.  This is not a National Monument but is owned by the Navajo Nation.  They charge $3 a person to enter.  Good thing we have been here as we will never be back.  It is out in the middle of nowhere and nothing is around it.  There were a number of native artists displaying their wares around the monument. 

We had a miscommunication and I didn't pack a lunch.  Of course, I didn't expect to have to drive so far either.  From Four Corners back to Blanding is about 70 miles or so.  We did find a café open in Bluff, UT for lunch/dinner.  (There is very little open on Sundays around here).  It is called Twin Rocks, can you guess why?

The food was good.  Bill had a BLT with fries and I had a hamburger and small salad.  They had some interesting things in the gift shop too. 

We finally got back to the campground and we are now relaxing.  Spending a couple of days hiking in the sun has taken its toll.  We are both very tired. 

Here are all the pictures I took.  Remember to double click on the pictures to go to Picasa where you can zoom on the pictures to see detail.