San Juan Hill
On our second day on the San Juan River, the seven of us made the short
walk from our campsite to the River House Ruin. We then broke into
smaller groups to explore the area to the west of the cliff
dwelling. Michael Portman and I ended up on the sloping eastern face of Comb Ridge. I have previously posted photos of the imposing western face of Comb Ridge at sunset.
Michael and I located the remains of the wagon road constructed by the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition to ascend San Juan Hill, which is what the settlers named this section of Comb Ridge. After climbing to the top of the trail, I enjoyed spectacular views of Comb Wash below me along the steep western flank of the ridge. The expedition had followed Comb Wash southward to the San Juan River, where a gap in Comb Ridge provided access to the east side of the ridge. With no route for a road along the river, the Mormon pioneers then cut a road back up the eastern flank of the ridge.
Michael and I located the remains of the wagon road constructed by the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition to ascend San Juan Hill, which is what the settlers named this section of Comb Ridge. After climbing to the top of the trail, I enjoyed spectacular views of Comb Wash below me along the steep western flank of the ridge. The expedition had followed Comb Wash southward to the San Juan River, where a gap in Comb Ridge provided access to the east side of the ridge. With no route for a road along the river, the Mormon pioneers then cut a road back up the eastern flank of the ridge.
The bottom of the trail is marked by these signs. To read the interesting (and somewhat gruesome) account of the Mormon pioneers' determined ascent up San Juan Hill, click on the photo above.
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| A concise sign post marks the beginning of the trail. |
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