Tower Ruin is an incredible structure that is somewhere in the range of 700-1000+ years old.  It’s a very unique structure for Cedar Mesa because it’s two-storys.  You can still see many of the old logs that were used as roofs and supports throughout the structure and the masonry is absolutely incredible.  The Tower Ruin is hidden in a sheltered alcove where you can find other ruins such as a granary and a pit house or possibly a kiva.  Make sure to not enter any of these special buildings and do not take any pottery shards or relics or artifacts.  Just enjoy with your eyes and camera!

The trail beings on top of the mesa where it overlooks the canyon you’re supposed to hike down.  You will hike west until the very top of the small canyon and continue down (now hiking east) the sandstone canyon.  It’s easy hiking, but I would still recommend shoes with good grip.  Take your time and enjoy this remote and peaceful area.

Once you are down the canyon the ruin is around the corner on your left.

I was shocked to see this two-story tower all the way out here!  It’s still in such great condition too!  Two-story ruins are rare in Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge.  I’m sure there were more of them originally, but the fact that this one remains is quite impressive!

There are multiple ruins next to the tower: one is granary and another is something else that isn’t apparent.  The granary is amazing!  Notice all the detail of how the original creators mixed mud, water, and other materials to make a strong mortar that has lasted 1000+ years!  Do you think our modern concrete would last as long?

Take a look on the walls and check out the petroglyphs and pictographs too.  Some are modern, but others are no doubt just as old as the ruins themselves.

The alcove across the way has a rope around it meaning it’s a very special archeological site.  Do not cross over the rope, but just admire the pit house(?) or kiva from a distance.  You will see more petroglyphs and even some pottery shards too.

This area is amazing.  It’s peaceful with just a touch of eeriness.  While I was visiting, I got a sudden sense of something watching me.  Was it a cougar? Was it a black bear? Or, was it something else? I’m not sure, but it was a very sudden feeling of “Time to leave!!”  And so I did.