Trek Planner Insider Content
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The Trek in a snapshot
Location
Southeastern, Utah
Managing Agency
Unknown
Pets
I wouldn’t bring pets on this adventure
Fees
None
Restrooms
None
Camping
Not allowed
Trail Condition
Narrow trail to the top of the mesa
Sights
Ancient village ruins, pottery shards, wall ruins, granaries
Water Info
Bring a bottle of water if needed
Best Season
All
Distance
I hiked about a mile
Time Required
1 hour
Parking Elevation
4764 ft
Summit Elevation
4874 ft
Elevation Difference
110 ft
Trek Planner Maps
Parking: 37.41889, -109.44374
Northern Entrance: 37.41418, -109.44346
Northern Wall: 37.41337, -109.44216
Village Plaza: 37.4132, -109.44207
Large Structure: 37.41307, -109.4417
Southern Entrance: 37.41294, -109.44269
Granary: 37.41288, -109.44344
Granary: 37.41265, -109.44194
Lower Structure: 37.41286, -109.44083
Experience. Discover. Explore.
Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!
I found this place a while ago and just recently had time to make a visit. On top of a small hill, or butte, is a defensible Ancestral Pueblo community. I believe it’s Ancestral Pueblo because of well-known nearby ruins that are also Pueblo.
The ruins here though seem to suggest that this hilltop community was once a significant presence in the region. Many of the ruins have since fallen down, but you can still see hints that this was once a large community. I found that the hilltop was once surrounded by sections of walls made from stacked rocks.
There are several large tower structures, two large rectangular structures, several square structures, several pits or depressions in the ground, many pottery shards and other relics, multiple granaries, and more. From below the hill, you can’t tell that there are ruins on top. But, as you hike closer you will see hints of stacked rocks and walls. It seems that there were two entrances.
The north entrance suggests that the original creators wanted to funnel people to this point. If they were being attacked, they could easily throw rocks, spears, or shoot arrows at the invaders before they even attempt to climb to the top of the hill. Plenty of boulders and walls would protect the community from invaders and cause them to be slowed in their march towards the top of the hill.
I successfully broke through the initial defenses and felt like there was a trail that would take me through a little gap in some boulders. There, I saw another wall section, this time, it was large enough for several people to hide behind and wait for anyone to pass by.
I felt like this was the last defense before making it to the top. At the top, I found a foundation for a rectangular structure. It’s not clear what this was or if it was part of a wall or what. I continued towards the main plaza area and kept finding pottery shards on the ground.
The closer I got to the main plaza, the more I would see. Large and small pieces of pottery were scattered all over the place of many different styles and designs too. It appears that there are about 5-6 very large depressions in the ground. Could these be remnants of kivas?
This area was once a gigantic fortress!
On the north side was a long portion of wall that has since fallen. It’s easily over 100 ft. in length. From the air, this northern wall looks like it was part of a large perimeter fence that enclosed the community. You can see several tower structures, the most significant of which is located in the center of the main plaza. The center tower has an incredible example of ancient masonry. Careful and deliberate thought and action went into place when making these structures.
On the east side of the hill is a layout of a large rectangular structure that has 3-5 circular structures inside. I think I found some midden too, suggesting that people lived and worked in this community. On the south side, two small square structures can be seen. 
It appears that there was a south entrance to the top of the hill just like the way I came up at first. This south entrance had a significant wall that would force visitors and intruders alike through the same narrow passage.
There may have been another tower structure, but it’s unclear. On the lower south side of the hill, I found three granaries – all were empty.
After exploring on top, I hiked down below. On the lower east side of the hill was a large rectangular structure. There is also another tower here and some sections of walls to block people from coming up this side. Below the hill lies a dry creek. During rainy seasons, this would provide some decent water flow. There are several springs nearby too that no doubt provided water from time-to-time to this village too.
I’m not an archeologist and I don’t pretend to know much about this community, but from my observations, it appears that this hilltop probably had a large group of people living here. It’s unclear to me if the ruins were purposely destroyed or if they succumbed to the natural effects of erosion. These ruins are most likely 700-1000+ years old! I’m not sure if this place has even been excavated yet. It’s interesting to note that I did not find any rock art here. I was expecting to find a bunch, but I didn’t find a single petroglyph.
Personal Thoughts
I loved this adventure! I originally thought that I wouldn’t find much, but was VERY surprised to find what I did. I’m excited to be able to show you these types of things, because I know that many of you love to see it too.
Sometimes, I do not want to share because I feel like there might be one or two people who would go there and loot and start digging and destroy. So, I’m torn sometimes on what to do. But, I feel like if The Trek Planner continues to focus on educating people to respect and learn about these places without stealing/destroying them, we can keep these places around for a very long time! Please join with us and enjoy these places without causing them further harm.
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