An Introduction to Ancient Cultural Landscapes in the Bears Ears National Monument – Trip Full Waiting list only

An Introduction to Ancient Cultural Landscapes in the Bears Ears National Monument 

September 19-23, 2024 – TRIP FULL – Waiting list only

On this exciting AAHS field trip, Dr. Bellorado will introduce participants to the thousands of years of human occupation in the southern portion of the Bears Ears National Monument. We will hike through canyons and across mesas in some of the most picturesque portions of the monument to see rock art (rock imagery) ranging from the Paleoindian period through the historic era (and everything in between), prehistoric roadways, Chacoan great houses, and cliff dwellings spread across this ancient cultural landscape. We will camp along the San Juan River at the developed Sand Island Campground near Bluff, Utah. Participants will be responsible for paying for their campsites ($15/night) and hiking fees ($5/person per day). Sand Island is just three miles from the town of Bluff, Utah where several restaurants, hotels, and basic amenities are available. 

This field trip will be led by Dr. Benjamin (Ben) Bellorado, an anthropological archaeologist specializing in the study of ancient and contemporary Indigenous cultures of the northern US Southwest. Dr. Bellorado’s research utilizes field, laboratory, and collections-based techniques and specializes in dendroarchaeology, perishable and ceramic studies, and ethnographic documentation. He has worked in the Bears Ears area for almost 20 years. His research in the Bears Ears includes his dissertation work documenting and developing a seriation of building murals in Ancestral Pueblo structures using dendrochronology, as well as extensive surveys of Comb Ridge, Comb Wash, Butler Wash, and along the San Juan River, and contract excavations on White Mesa. Dr. Bellorado has also worked extensively with tribal nations on projects in the Bears Ears and Flagstaff areas. He is now the Assistant Curator of Archaeology at the Arizona State Museum and an Assistant Professor of Anthropology with the School of Anthropology at the University of Arizona. 

NOTE: There is no grocery store in Bluff so you should bring food for lunches. 

EASY TO MODERATE HIKING

Trip Does Not Include:  Transportation to Bluff, Utah, meals and extra food, camping gear, backpack, water bottles, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain gear, good hiking boots, and personal first aid. Staying at a nearby hotel is an option. You will meet the group after breakfast at the Sand Island campground to begin the day.

Itinerary: 

Thursday Evening (Sept 19)

5 pm Meet at Sand Island Campground, near Bluff, Utah

6 pm Group dinner out, most likely Comb Ridge Eat and Drink in Bluff, Utah

Friday

8 am – Breakfast at Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff, Utah. Pack your Lunch. 

Daily Briefing Safety and Ethics at campground.

Have a full tank of gas.

10 am – Drive to lower Butler Wash parking area near Bluff Airport.

Hike down Butler Wash to see rock art sites and cultural landscapes.

Lunch along San Juan River near Upper Butler Wash Panel.

Return to cars and drive to Bluff great house.

5 pm – Return to Sand Island

5:30 – Energy permitting walk to Upper Sand Island rock art panels, and Happy Hour.

6:30 pm – Dinner.

Saturday

8 am – Breakfast at Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff, Utah. Pack your Lunch. 

Drive to Upper Butler Wash parking area.

Hike to the Target Site, Ballroom Cave, and Sand Dune Cave.

Lunch in canyon.

Drive to the mouth of Arch Canyon and hike to Arch Canyon great house and other nearby sites.

Hike to Arch Canyon great house and other sites in the mouth of Arch Canyon.

Depending on time – drive to Et Al great house on Cedar Mesa and great views of the Bears Ears.

Drive down Moki Dugway to return to Bluff.

5pm – Drive back to Sand Island and return to camp and Happy Hour.

6 pm – Dinner.

Sunday

8 am – Breakfast at Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff, Utah. Pack your Lunch.

Drive up Butler Wash and park at Procession Panel parking area.

Hike to the Procession Panel.

Lunch on Comb Ridge.

Return to cars.

Drive a short distance to Monarch Cave.

Hike to Monarch Cave

5pm – Drive back to Sand Island and return to camp and Happy Hour.

6 pm – Dinner.

Monday (Sept 23)

9 am Breakfast and break camp.

NOTE: There is no grocery store in Bluff so you should bring food for lunches. 

Wrap-up and return home, stopping at the Bears Ears Education Center if you are interested in additional information.

To register contact Ralph Burrillo.