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beyondthecampground.com
backcountry camping for the whole family
Bullet Canyon
Grand Gulch, UT
Grand Gulch, UT
Bullet Canyon is one of the side canyons to Grand Gulch. Located in Cedar Mesa, just a few miles
from Natural Bridges National Monument. After two weeks of backcountry camping we were able
to backpack two nights down Bullet Canyon and explore the canyon down to the confluence with
Grand Gulch.This area is one of the best places to see Anasazi ruins and rock art on the Colorado
Plateau. The best way to see a large amount of ruins and art without backtracking is to try and
arrange a shuttle or have two cars. We were on our own, so we decided to enter Bullet Canyon, set
up a base camp near jailhouse ruin, and explore the canyon from there. We were on the end of a 3
week trip, and all three of us were feeling a bit tired. The hike in was about 5 miles and we were
spotting ruins not long after starting.
This ruin seemed to be a lookout. We were anxious
to find a spot to set up our base camp, so we decided
to get a closer look on our way out of the canyon.
There are only a certain number of permits given out
for backpacking in Grand Gulch each day. We knew
there were two large groups that would be camping
in the same area as us, so were were hoping to find a
good spot before the big group came in. We had only
day hiked in this area before, so were weren't sure
what to expect for tent sites.
We were quite happy to reach Jailhouse ruin and get our packs off. Normally the hike in would have been a pretty easy one, but I think the weeks of hiking and camping were catching up with us. We found a shaded spot with a nice view of Jailhouse ruin to set up camp. We also had flowing water within a few minutes walk of "home". With the tent up, we were off to explore Perfect Kiva. This is one of the few sites you are allowed to climb down into the Kiva. It was a well preserved site and we took our time exploring the area.
We were quite happy to reach Jailhouse ruin and get our packs off. Normally the hike in would have been a pretty easy one, but I think the weeks of hiking and camping were catching up with us. We found a shaded spot with a nice view of Jailhouse ruin to set up camp. We also had flowing water within a few minutes walk of "home". With the tent up, we were off to explore Perfect Kiva. This is one of the few sites you are allowed to climb down into the Kiva. It was a well preserved site and we took our time exploring the area.
Thumbprint in the
mortar of a
granary.the
Anasazi Indians
where in this area
sometime between
A.D. 200 and A.D.
1300!
We did meet up with the large groups camping in the area, but they had set up camp further up a side
canyon where we could not even hear them. Our plan for the next day was to hike down to the
confluence with Grand Gulch, and try to explore as much of the canyon along the way. It is always
amazing how many ruins are tucked away. We woke to another beautiful day. After breakfast and
loading up our packs, we were off down the canyon. We were not disappointed by the ruins we found.
One even had a 'guest' staying in it.
After many fruitful hours of exploring, we made it to the confluence of Bullet Canyon and Grand Gulch.
It was a beautiful area full of trees, flowers and flowing water. There is a great campsite in that area,
and we hope to stay there on our next backpacking trip down the Gulch. The wildflowers were in full
bloom as we made our way up and down the canyon, adding to the beauty of the towering sandstone
walls. As late afternoon hit, we hiked back "home", wanting to catch the sunset on our last night in the
canyon. We seemed to have recovered a bit during our stay in the canyon, and the hike out was much
easier than we had thought it would be. We stopped at the "lookout" ruin we had spotted. Lucky climbed
up to have a closer look, while Hiker and I stayed and watched from the canyon. The only access up to
the ruin is by climbing a tree.
Above is the "access" point to the ruin. Here is
what is left of the ruin, pictured on the left. It is
amazing those two walls are still standing as
straight as they are.
We finished the last of the trail and headed back to the car. Once again this area absolutely amazed us
and left us wanting to see more. We did not even have a look at some of the more amazing pictograph
panels located in Grand Gulch. Those would have to wait for our next trip to the area. We had one last
sunset on Cedar Mesa to enjoy before we headed home....
Comb Ridge sunset
hiking down the canyon
base camp
jailhouse ruin
Perfect Kiva
Perfect Kiva
Jailhouse Ruin
Jailhouse Ruin
bat!
a look inside....
climbing out