Pine Spring Ruin | Cedar Mesa

Hiking Pine Spring Ruin - Cedar MesaRoadside Attraction Pine Spring Ruin - Cedar Mesa Pine Spring Ruin

Cedar Mesa

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hiking.
MAPS: South Long Point, UT;

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

47 | 32

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

49 | 32

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

47 | 29

Wed

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

42 | 29

Thu

A chance of snow showers after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

40 | 25

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None
NOTES: Day hiking in the Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge areas of Bears Ears National Monument requires a day hiking pass. Passes can be purchased at Kane Gulch Ranger Station and at most trailheads. Currently the fee is $5 for 1 day per person, or $10 a week per person. (https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/utah/cedarmesa)

Sun

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.

47 | 32

Mon

Mostly sunny, with a high near 49.

49 | 32

Tue

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

47 | 29

Wed

A chance of snow showers before 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

42 | 29

Thu

A chance of snow showers after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

40 | 25

View Full Weather Details
Pine Spring Ruin on Cedar Mesa

Pine Spring Ruin on Cedar Mesa

Pine Spring Ruin

Pine Spring Ruin

It is rare that I am disappointed by a hike. This one, however, is the exception. Given a good spring, south facing cliff walls, and the many other ruins nearby, I expected Pine Spring to have a few ruins, panels, or both. One small ruin that is in poor shape is visible not far off the road, however a morning of wandering around the rest of Pine Spring canyon didn't turn up any other signs of the ancients.

This is a good hike if your looking for a short leg stretcher. The scenery is good, however the ruins are not. On the plus side, there are several good primitive camp sites along the road.

Views from Pine Spring Ruin

Views from Pine Spring Ruin

Getting There

Reaching the trailhead starts at milepost 97.2 on highway 95. This is 97.2 miles south of Hanksville, or 28 miles from Blanding. If coming from Blanding, go south out of town a few miles to the gunction with highway 95. Go west on 95 about 24.3 miles, 0.2 miles before to the large pullout and Salvation Knoll on the south side of the highway.

Road #2331 goes off to the south side of highway 95 here. Follow it, staying on the main road, 1.5 miles. The ruin is visible to the north (left) side of the road.

Continue an additional 0.2 miles to a good camping area where Pine Spring crosses the road.

Route

To visit the ruin, simply go cross country. Be mindful of the cryptobiotic soil, there is much of it along the way. The ruin is in fair shape.

If camping near Pine Spring, wandering up the valley around Pine Spring makes a good, short hike. It is 1-2 hours to wander up to near the head and highway 95, and return.


Photos

Maps

Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 605502mE 4156334mN

N37° 32' 53" W109° 48' 20"
Ruin

12S 605485mE 4156588mN

N37° 33' 01" W109° 48' 21"
Pine Spring

12S 605593mE 4156916mN

N37° 33' 12" W109° 48' 16"

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