Bluff, UT
Last Sunday morning (4/9) we left Farmington, NM and headed northwest for about a hundred miles to the little town of Bluff, UT.
Bluff is a tiny town of about 300 people located in the four corners area of Utah along US-191. This is our fourth visit here as we love exploring the many canyons in the area.
After arriving in Bluff we quickly settled into a spot at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park and waited for our friends, David and Karen and their little dog Cody, to arrive. We last saw them during our Florida stay in December and were anxious to have them join us for some hiking. But first on our agenda after their arrival was dinner at the nearby Twin Rocks Cafe.
We love their chicken noodle (dumplings) soup and Indian Fry Bread, and it was just as good as we remembered. The next morning all five of us (Cody is quite the hiker) headed out for a hike up to see Procession Panel, a wall of rock art high up on Comb Ridge.
The four-legged leader of the pack
Comb Ridge is a linear monocline (a step-like fold in rock strata) nearly 80 miles long in southeast Utah and northeast Arizona. Its northern end merges with the Abajo Mountains eleven miles west of Blanding. It extends essentially due south for 28 miles to the San Juan River, just south of Bluff, where it turns to the southwest into Arizona. In many of the narrow canyons along the ridge created by erosion, there are abandoned rock dwellings built by Ancient Puebloan cultures. There is no evidence of anyone living along the canyon leading to the Procession Panel, but someone sure spent a great deal of time drawing the many figures.
To get to the trailhead we drove five miles south on US 191, which turns into US 163. Across from the turn into the Bluff Airport (Yes, they have an airport. OK, it’s one paved runway.) we turned right on to Butler Wash Road, a well-maintained dirt road. After a drive of about 6.3 miles we turned left and drove a short distance to a parking area where the trail begins.
The artwork is around the corner
Cody led the way for much of the hike, but this was mainly due to his desire to get ahead of us and enjoy a moment in the cool shade provided by the rocks.
A short rest in the shade
After a hike of about two miles up a wash, (the last quarter up a steep, rocky path along the wall of the canyon) we came to the panel full of artwork.
The Procession Panel
Don’t touch the wall, just get close!
A couple of guys taking a break
The Panel includes 154 figures in a line
Karen made an interesting observation of the figure in the photo below. Note that the tail is raised and there appears to be round balls of something just behind the back feet. What was the artist trying to depict?
Note the shepherd with a bird on his head
Time out for a drink
After examining the panel we continued up the slickrock to the edge of the comb where we were treated to great vistas all around us.
Heading up to the edge
Monument Valley was visible to the south
Comb Wash Road below us with Cedar Mesa in the distance
This entire area is included in the newest of national monuments, Bears Ears National Monument, signed into existence by President Obama last December. We could see the Bears Ears peaking up far to the north.
Bears Ears in the distance
Lunch with a view (note the paw)
The cell service in the Bluff area is pretty poor, but apparently at this higher elevation the signal is a little better. David took his phone off airplane mode for a moment to check signal strength and received a call from a friend in Florida. So much for being in the wilderness!
A bit of color along the trail
Near the trailhead you have to go through the dry bed of Butler Wash. Since there are a number of cactus needles and other sharp items in the sand of the wash, it is difficult to go through that area in your bare feet paws. So Cody called for an Uber to help him navigate this part of the hike.
Once back in Bluff, Cody joined us for a dog treat and some conversation. But we found that he was a bit too tired for any meaningful discussion.
Next up for the group are a couple of hikes leading to some impressive Puebloan ruins. More on that later . . .
Oh, the Places They Go! 
We really need to plan a stay in Bluff! We always breeze right through headed to Moab. So nice to see pictures of Cody. What a great hiking buddy! Love the rock art panel…
We really need to plan a stay Bluff. We always breeze right through headed to Moab. What a great little hiker Cody is…I know you were glad to see him (and his humans). Awesome panel of rock art!
The hiking to the ruins is never ending, Gay. There are so many hikes under five miles. The area has both your rough back roads and hiking! You two could keep busy for a long time.
Cedar Mesa is one of of favorite places! We loved the hike to Procession Panel, but somehow lost our way trying to find it and ended up doing a much longer and more strenuous hike. Our friends still haven’t completely forgiven us. :-)) Looks like you had a very fun day—love the paws and boots photo!
The trail was pretty worn, Laurel. But getting started and across the washes is tricky! Cody wasn’t thrilled about being on his back to participate in the “lunch with a view” photo!
We’ve been to Bluff several times (son Michael lived in CO), but never on this hike. The 12+ miles of dirt road were a deterrent. Oh did we miss out! Looking forward to your blog(s) on the ruins – perhaps a bit of familiarity there …
Jeff, the Butler Wash Road is well grated and any vehicle can drive it. So give it a try next time!
Magnificent!! What a great hike!! I’m impressed with Cody…he’s quite a trooper!!
Thanks Gerri and Mike! It was a good workout and fun adventure. Cody can tackle just about anything.
An amazing panel with much going on. So much explorations in the Bluff area and I’ve only been through the area once. Cody is a real trooper and so smart to call for an Uber.
Gaelyn, you need to spend some more time in this area. Even after four visits of a week to ten days, I still have a list. It’s one of my favorite areas.
Wow, what an exhilarating hike! I can certainly see why you like to return to this area we are still dreaming of the day to get out that way- but we certainly are enjoying the trip with your great photos and commentary/observations!
Glad we can take you to all these wonderful ruins, Debbie. Hope your travels bring you west one day.
That is one of the cutest little dogs I’ve ever seen and such a trooper!!!
Cody is quite the hiker and gets very unhappy when he has to miss a trip. He has so much personality and rules us on the trail.
There is no question what that deer is doing…….Absolutely love Cody riding on John’s back, we didn’t know he offered rides. We’ll have to keep that in mind for next time. Don’t sing the praises of Bluff too loudly, it’s a hidden gem that you don’t want to be “discovered”!
Yes, Sue, I did think of that. Bluff is still pretty much unknown…thank goodness!
Deer poop on the panel!!! I totally understand why you love visiting Bluff so much! Love the views from the top of the Comb.
Someone had quite the creative mind when they were creating this drawing. Bluff has endless trails all leading to ruins and/or rock art. Makes every hike an adventure! I still have a list after four visits.
That Cody is just too cute. We love hiking with our friends’ dogs, since we aren’t the ones having to clean them up after!
That’s our thought exactly, Gayle and Jim! We get all the fun without the hassle!!
Wonderful pic of the two of you at the panel. Good looking Uber too, as one never knows what you’re going to get when you call 🙂 Those views from the top are amazing! I can’t believe you’ve already been there over a week. I’m enjoying all your red rock – you both look right at home there.
Thanks, Jodee! This is one of my very special happy places!!
I just love the setting of Twin Rocks Cafe.
What a fabulous hike. I love the panel of artwork.
I think we need to put Bluff on our travel plans. Looks awesome.
You and Paul should definitely put Bluff in your plans. There are so many amazing hikes that aren’t long but lead to great sites.
That looks really cool – adding it to my list for that area!
Alicia @ http://www.GirlonaHike.com
The Procession Panel is the only hike on the Butler Wash Road with an elevation gain and climb. Adding the short climb to the top of the Comb offered amazing views.
Utah is just amazing with those rock formations. Your pics are just great! Greetings.
Thanks, Cecilia! Yes, we love Utah for all those beautiful rock formations and all the color.
Those panels are just spectacular. I imagine the number of persons in the procession was significant at the time. It’s just amazing to think of them being created. LOL at Cody calling Uber. Great description. There have been times on a hike when I’d have liked to have done the same. Sure hope Bears Ears stays and all the parks and monuments remain free from drilling and other “exploration”.
The wash was full of dry, thorny brush and Cody needed to be carried, so his Uber driver did a great job:)
Karen has a wild imagination, I just hope that the smell is already gone by now. I love Bluff and I really want to revisit the area now that you have shown us another trail to follow. That’s a handsome Uber! So Cody was able to use his app I mean his paw to call Uber 🙂
Bluff has an never ending list of hikes with all distances. The main problem is that most of the good hikes require a Jeep. But you could drive to any of the hikes along Butler Wash Road.
Hello — I found your trip notes by accident and as luck would have it you describe one of my favorite places: Bluff. Haven’t been back in 20 years but I still see it vividly in the mind’s heart. The Recapture Lodge was a delight. Did you get to drive through Valley of the Gods? Best wishes for the rest of your travels.
Glad you stumbled across our blog, Rhoda! Yes, we drove Valley of the Gods twice our first year in Bluff. Beautiful! This was our fourth visit to Bluff.
We were in Bluff, Utah. Stopped at neat place with a lot of typewriters in the window. Ended up being an Art Studio. I also took a very cool shot of an old green rusted truck. The photo is on my gallery wall in my office!
Loved the paw added to lunch with a view!
Have fun looking at all the cool things in Bluff. Could not believe you could see Monument Valley!
Great write-up on your hike to Procession Panel! Looking forward to reading about your visit to Target Ruin & Ballroom Cave!
Thanks, Allison!! Your blog has sent us to many places:)
We hope to spend some time in Utah on our return trip this fall. Guess whose blog I will be using to do my research? Bluff looks like a great place to spend some time.
There really isn’t a perfect place to stay when visiting this area. The ruins are in a large rectangular box from Natural Bridges to Blanding to Bluff and the Moki Dugway entrance. You will need to drive to some ruins no matter which area you choose unless you want to move often. We prefer to stay put and drive. We certainly have lots of places for you to see since this was our fourth year in Bluff. I haven’t exhausted my list of areas to visit yet. You will love this area!!
You two are definitely the experts when it comes to Utah adventures! 🙂