Weavers Caves

Looking for a half-day hike, before heading back home, we decided to visit Weavers Caves.  These shallow alcoves sit just below the rim of a Phipps Wash side canyon, quite close to the highway.  While searching for the access point to the ledge that leads to the “caves,” we could look across the wash and see Phipps Arch, where we had been just yesterday.  For such a short hike this outing provided some unique rock formations, deep canyons, and scenic views . . . oh, and some highly unusual petroglyphs, the likes of which we've never seen before!

Just like yesterday's hike, to Phipps Arch, we started off walking in a dry wash

Looks like we're not the only ones using this route

After about a mile, the wash comes to a fairly steep dryfall . . .
At this point a decision needs to be made:  Take the shorter route by continuing down the wash (requires navigating a deep pothole in a tiny slot) or climb a small ridge to access an easier shelf route to the caves
(This picture is looking down into the slot canyon) 

We had plenty of time, so we chose to make this hike a loop by beginning with the ridge route

We are making our way across the top of the ridge
(Can you find Kent?)

At top of the ridge the views were outstanding . . .
Now, we had to descend the ridge to the small saddle that is just above Kent's hat . . .
At the saddle we had three choices to make . . .

Turn left and follow the ledge (in the shadows) towards Weavers Caves (pictured in the sun) or . . .

Turn right and enjoy the views of Phipps Arch and Phipps Wash or . . .

Continue straight, following the narrow ridge, to where it meets Phipps Wash

We chose the narrow ridge . . .
These large rocks marked the end of the route for us . . . 
There's a gap in the rocks (just to the right of Kent's hat) that allowed us to look down into the canyon that holds Maverick Bridge, although we couldn't see it

Allison in the gap . . . while Kent stays far away from the 500 ft cliff that she is facing

Looking through the gap across to some interesting sandstone striations on the opposite rim 

Making our way back along the ridge to the small saddle

Taking one more look back at the rock formations at the end of the ridge walk . . .
Can you see the "Chief's face" engraved in the desert varnish?

Back at the saddle and continuing on to Weavers Caves

This picture is out of order, but we wanted to give a visual of what the ledge route entails . . .
Looking slightly right of Kent's hat is the small saddle . . . the ledge that is traversed can be seen to the right,
in the shadows . . . and the ridge that was taken is above the ledge

We have arrived at Weavers Caves

Each of the caves (alcoves) had many delicate pictoglyphs

Some were vibrant, but many were faded or had peeled off over the years . . .
Do you see the drawings that appear to be needles?  Or the threads trailing from a Weaver's loom?

Only a few held panels that had animals

Looking out of one of the alcoves

Here's an example of some of the faded paintings

We're not positive, but these look like finger prints . . . we've seen handprints before, but not fingerprints!

Oh, the stories this guy could tell!

Here's a picture of a few spiral designs that could be found . . .
These seem to be prominent in many rock art panels

Looking southeast down a side canyon of Phipps Wash towards the Escalante River . . .
This canyon holds Maverick Bridge . . .
Also, note the prominent rock, on the skyline, at the center of the picture . . . that's the "Chief Face" boulder from earlier when we walked to the end of the ridge

One last look at Weavers Caves before we start back

Remember the pothole in a narrow slot we mentioned earlier?

Kent is looking to see if we can make it across . . .

While it doesn't look difficult from this angle, trust us it's deep and slick . . . 
While we thought we might be able to make it to the logs, we doubted that we could make it up the slick ramp on the other side (certainly would have been easier coming from the opposite way) . . .
If these logs weren't here, and you slipped, it's questionable if you'd be able to get out of the pothole on your own!

So, we reversed course and headed back for the saddle

One last look at Phipps Arch as we make our way back up the ridge

Making our way back to the social trail by Kent's right shoulder . . . this lead us back to the wash
The wash took us towards the white sandstone formations where our truck was parked

This was an enjoyable half-day hike!  Our route was about 4-miles (r/t) and we spent about three and a half hours exploring the area and caves.  If this looks like an adventure you might be interested in doing you can find more information at Road Trip Ryan's website.  He does a great job and provides detailed directions and a topo map all for free!