A hike of unparalleled beauty in Bears Ears National Monument

One of the most spectacular hikes we have ever taken, and we have taken over 500 of them, all over the west.

We are in Bears Ears National Monument.  It is one of the National Monuments established by President Obama, and one that is under siege from the Trump administration.

This place is an absolute treasure of beauty and history.  Even among the hikes we have taken here today’s stood out for its uniqueness and grandeur.

Here are the photos.  The hike was taken from our camping spot.  

Close to our spot, down the “main” road, was a cut-off road.  Along the road, Vicky found this.  A piece of chocolate.  Left over from Halloween Trick or Treating two days ago?  

We first traveled along large rock faces, reaching an overlook to a large canyon.

In the (very) far distance is our camper. See it?

We went back to what was listed on our maps as a 4WD road,  and found that the old road descended into a canyon of immense beauty.  An amazing road, in some sections consisting of nothing except rock.  Although it is labeled as a 4WD road, but it probably is only usable by off-road vehicles……and us:

Across the way is Vicky.  See her?  

 See her now?

Now look again at the first photo and find her:

 And across the canyon in the other direction is me.  See me?  

 See me now?

 Now see if you see me in the first photo:

At one point, far down into the ravine, was an old vehicle, probably a 50s, that didn’t made it. 

I bet they wish they would have had AAA.  Imagine the phone call:  “Hello, Triple A? I need a tow.”

This gives you a sense of how the road was carved, many years ago, out of rock.