Comb Ridge Wash Trail - Bears Ears National Monument

Comb Ridge
Just a few miles west of Bluff is Comb Ridge, a steep ridge running 80 miles in a north/south direction from Kayenta, Arizona to the foothills of the Abajo Mountains near Blanding, Utah. Tilted at almost 20 degrees and over one mile wide, the name comes from the jagged appearance of the ridge which is similar in shape to a rooster’s comb.
This natural marvel is a classic example of what geologists call a monocline, or a step-like bend of the earth’s rock layers in one direction. This blunt rock extension occurred nearly 65 million years ago, when tectonic plates buried deep under the earth’s surface slipped, leaving a rugged scar across once smooth stone.
Comb Ridge is now protected and form the major part of the Shash Jaa Unit of Bears Ears National Monument.
History
Archaeological surveys of the Ridge have revealed more of the formation’s ancient secrets, from Ice Age camps and 800-year-old Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, to historic artifacts of Anglo settlers, and strange lanes carved into the earth across miles of desert. These are Ancestral Puebloan roads and “Anasazi roads” are believed to connect places of significance.
In 1880, Mormon pioneers on the last leg of their grueling Hole-in-the-Rock trek crossed the structure before settling Bluff. Knowing Comb Ridge was a formidable obstacle, they traveled south along the Comb to the San Juan River. There they built another dugway up the face of Comb Ridge naming it “San Juan Hill”.
Comb Ridge Exploring
Ancestral Puebloans once found refuge in the Comb’s alcoves. Vacationers wishing to explore the rich archeological aspects of the Comb can discover traces of the ancient Ancestral Puebloan culture via ruins and rock art on the canvas of cave walls. Each cleft in Comb Ridge indicates a small canyon created by flash floods that can be accessed from behind the ancient stretch of rock formation.
As you drive west from Bluff on Highway 163, you will cross the Ridge. Two, parallel gravel roads run north/south on either side of Comb Ridge: Comb Wash (County Road 235) to the west of Comb Ridge and Butler Wash (County Road 230) to the east. The roads link to Highway 95 on the north.
Butler Wash has entrances to numerous, short, box canyons which contain rock art and ruins. North of Highway 95 are the Butler Wash Ruins overlook. This is a cliff dwelling built and occupied by Ancestral Puebloans around 1200. Parts of the site have been stabilized and reconstructed. Round trip hiking distance is about 1 mile. Parking and a restroom are available.
Visit With Respect
Comb Ridge is part of the Bears Ears National Monument and, as such,dwelling remains and rock art are extremely fragile and are of important cultural significance. To preserve this important landscape for future generations, visitors should refrain from touching rock art or moving artifacts. Before you go, check out the "Visit with Respect" tips offered by blogger, Erica Tucker.
General Information
Fees: A permit is required from the Bureau of Land Management for hiking for day use and overnight backpacking in Butler Wash. Day use permits (except for Moon House) are available at self-pay locations at some trailheads but a better plan is to obtain a permit for all of Cedar Mesa through www.recreation.gov/ and go to the “My Reservation” section. I purchased an annual pass for “Cedar Mesa & Comb Ridge Day Hiking”. It cost me, as of May 2023, $44.50 and is good to the end of May 2024.
Camping: Just south of Highway 95 on Butler Wash is the Comb Wash Campground which features dispersed camping and pit toilets. No water is available. Dispersed camping is also allowed along Comb Wash and Butler Wash. You must stay on previously disturbed areas within 150 feet of designated routes and should not drive off road to create a new campsite. Please do not camp inside ruins. Plan on bringing your own water and to pack out your trash and waste.
BLM Website Links: www.blm.gov/programs/recreati...
www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/documents/files/River%20House%20Ruin.pdf
KZbin video showing the River House Ruins: • Stabilizing the Past, ...
Hole-in-the-Rock Trek Remains an Epic Experience in Pioneering
historytogo.utah.gov/hole-roc...
Thanks for watching and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated.
Cactus Hill

[@markmark2080]

The Hole in the Rock 'expedition' is a really interesting study, when one traces their path on google earth combined with a first hand familiarity with the region it really leaves your jaw on the floor at times. I can only imagine what it was like toiling along below Comb Ridge southward, after all they had been through, wondering how the heck they were going to get over ... Nice little video, one of the many roads/trails I missed 'back in the day'.

[@cactushill]

Thanks for the great comment! I have read articles and watched videos/films of the history of the "Expedition" and it was pretty crazy. They were definitely motivated. We visited the Bluff Fort and there is some good info there. Also, we talked with a few of the Docents, at the fort, and they had some very interesting stories regarding the "Expedition". Well, thanks again for commenting and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated.

[@1suoiraciv954]

One of the main reasons the C of LDS sent pioneers into the area was to establish Law and Order in a part of the notorious Outlaw Trail Region. The Dark Canyon Wilderness area is famous for its many cattle ranches that were started with rustled cattle and provided shelter for brazen bank and train robbers along with the feared quick draw gunman of the 1800's.

[@cactushill]

Thanks for the quick synopsis of history the area. We always appreciate learning more about the history of the area we travel. We go to Fort Bluff every time we are in Southeast Utah. We learn something new each time we visit. The Docents are always very knowledgeable and do an excellent job of presenting the history of the area. Thanks again for commenting and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated.

[@natgild]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. We did this in the fall a few years back and did not see any water(except the San Juan River)!! We managed to get over the "obstacle" and drove to the base of the ruin. We just have a stock Rubicon.

[@cactushill]

No problem...You are welcome. Great to know that you made to the ruins. Next time we are in the area we will head up there too! Thanks for the wonderful comment and viewing our channel...It is sincerely appreciated!

[@bigbranch1]

Really enjoyed this....once did the same ride but stopped and got my bicycle out to complete the trip to the ruin.......day trip on the San Juan River will also get one to the ruim....Thanks

[@cactushill]

Glad you enjoyed it. Next we will get up to the ruin and also check out the access to the San Juan. Thanks for watching and commenting...It is sincerely appreciated!

[@billj5645]

I believe there is an old road in that vicinity that works its way over Comb Ridge, used before the current road was cut through the ridge. I don't think lockers are needed for sand but it is worthwhile to reduce your tire pressure as much as you can get by with. You have to carry a good compressor if you are going to be doing this.

[@cactushill]

Bill...I do have an onboard compressor, A dual ARB. The next time we do this trail I will be airing down. I don't have "Bead-Lockers" so I typically go down to 12-15 psi. Have you aired down to any lower than that without bl's? As far as lockers, I went ahead and used them because why not. I knew it wasn't very far and I think they helped in other areas as well. Thanks for commenting and viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreaciated.

[@billj5645]

@@cactushill I normally only go down to about 18 to really play it safe. If I was in sand and had to I would keep going down until I could get out then air back up.

[@cactushill]

@@billj5645 OK sounds good. Thanks for getting back to me...Much appreciated!

[@RandomGuy-qm3mg]

great video! always helps to know what a dirt road really looks like before going down it!

[@cactushill]

Thanks for the great comment. I always like to see videos showing the road so I took that philosphy in my videos. Thanks again for viewing our channel. It is sincerely appreciated.

[@cathymaxcy3391]

Living in Southern Utah as a kid I remember thunderstorms in the summer months of July and August. Now I live in Southern Arizona and we have a monsoon season in July and August. Apparently, our monsoons migrate into the 4 corners states. So, during those summer months keep your eyes on the weather forecasts because you never know when a storm will pop up and flood washes and steep canyons. You talk about using lockers to help with traction. What are lockers?

[@cactushill]

Cathy...Thanks for the tip on the monsoons. We have lived in Southern Utah since 2005 and we have experienced monsoons, as you mention, in the July, August and even a few in September. They can drop a lot of moisture in a short time. As far a "Lockers", here is a link to a video that explains what they are and when to use them kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5XLYYmHrdWlgKM. Basically, they are a device in your drive system that locks either the front or rear wheels or both so they both have traction. Even in 4-wheel drive one tire can spin and lose traction so lockers prevent that. Well, thanks for viewing our channel and commenting...It is sincerely appreciated!

[@IcyReaper]

Were you aired down while on this trail?

[@cactushill]

Not on this trip but the next time we do this trail I will definitely air down. It will help on the sandy/soft areas and the obstacle at the end of the video. Thanks for viewing our channel...It is sincerely appreciated!