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Monarch Cave
Anasazi Ruins
Cedar Mesa
Hiking
Monarch
Cave is a beautiful Anasazi (sometimes called Ancient Pueblo or
Ancestral Pueblo) cliff dwelling tucked high into an alcove above a shady desert
pool of water. Several interesting pictographs and petroglyphs line the nearby cliff
walls. |
Circle of Friends:
Monarch
Cave is part of the "Circle of Friends"
program. Members of the "Circle of Friends"
have access to more specific information, explicit route information, GPS waypoints,
trailhead location and detailed maps. If you
would like more information on joining the "Circle of Friends" visit the sign
up page.
"Circle of Friends"
General Information:
Monarch
Cave Ruins require a short hike. Please take only pictures and leave only
footprints. Monarch Cave is rated 1A I using
the Canyon Rating System. A good route desription and a GPS are extremely useful in
verifying you are on the correct course. The area is criss crossed with confusing roads
and trails. Navigation for this route is moderate.
Trailhead Information:
The trailhead is usually accessible to all vehicles in good
weather. A vehicle shuttle is not required for this route.
History:
The Monarch Cave Ruins
contain an inscription from the Illustrated America Exploring Expedition of 1892. Warren
K. Moorehead was appointed as leader of the Illustrated America Exploring Expedition to
explore, survey, map, photograph, and secure specimens in southeastern Utah. Although the
Illustrated America Exploring Expedition collection of artifacts was very small, Moorehead
and members of his expedition wrote enthusiastically and romantically about their
adventures and discoveries in a series of articles for American Illustrated Magazine.
Their descriptions of alcoves and ruins in Butler Wash are memorable.
Below
is a sketch made by a member of the 1892 Illustrated America Exploring Expedition of
Monarch Cave Ruins. It's interesting to note the ruins appear to remain in about the same
conditions as when they were first discovered.
Discovery:
Here is what the 1892
Illustrated America Exploring Expedition wrote about the discovery of Monarch Cave.
After Mr. Moorehead left us,
in one of the deep canyons, about two miles south of Eagle Nest Cave, we discovered one of
the most picturesque series of ruins that we had yet seen. It is situated in a beautiful
box canyon in the rocky divide between Butler's Wash and Comb Wash, about nine miles south
[Note: South is a direct quote, the correct direction is North.] of the Rio San Juan. The
canyon is bout half a mile in length, but what a contrast it affords to the monotonous and
bare mesa and valleys outside! here instead of of stunted sage-brush, we find a luxurious
growth of large, wide-spreading cottonwood tress, giving delightful shade from the hot
sun; and beautiful shrubbery and flowering plants, and cool running water. One can
appreciate the great difference only after traveling all day on the dry and sandy mesa,
where not a drop of water is to be found, and then entering one of these little side
canyons, which seem like paradise on earth. One of the large cottonwood trees measured
fifteen feet around the base - a wonderful growth for this locality.
Directly to the west end of the
canyon, the high sandstone cliff's, with a graceful and undulating curve on their
weathered surfaces, close together abruptly, forming a large cavern about one hundred feet
from the bottom of the canyon. In this cave are the ruins ruins we are about to describe.
From their prominent position they command the valley, and their curved fronts, cut with
dozens of loopholes, give the effect of a modern fortress. We named it Monarch's Cave, for
it must have been monarch of all it surveyed.
The cavern was thirty-five feet in
height at the front, and fifty-seven and three-fifths feet deep, forming an excellent
stronghold and a perfect shelter. It is only accessible on the north, and then only by
using the ancient footholds which have been cut into the slanting sandstone ledge. As many
of these have been worn away, it is with no little difficulty that one gains the entrance
into the cave. Directly under the mouth, at the bottom of the canyon, and almost hidden by
shrubbery, is a large excellent spring of clear, cold water, measuring thirty feet across
and having a depth at the center of four feet. Such a source of water was of extraordinary
importance to ancient dwellers in the cavern. It not only supplied them with water, but
also irrigated the canyon for the cultivation of their crops. At the back of the cave
water trickles down the ledge of rock causing a thick growth of hanging ferns and creeping
vines, adding much to the beauty of the place.
Judging from the large number of
loopholes in these ruins, the structure was evidently intended as a fortification. In one
room alone we counted twenty-five loopholes. From these the defenders could send their
arrows in every direction, up or down the canyon. The front walls of the prominent rooms
are all rounded, so that by means of the loopholes the whole canyon below could be
commanded. The entire entire aspect of the cave is of defense and protection rather than
comfort.
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