Cutler Point

Last week, as we were hiking Spring Point, we could see Cutler Point protruding from the White Cliffs off to the west.  We have always been interested in seeing the Great Chamber that lies at its base and when we found that it also had a benchmark on the summit we figured that would be enough to get Tom's interest piqued - we were right!  We try to make our hiking decisions on finding features that are important to each of our interests - for us that is often unique geological formations and for Tom it is usually tied to a numbered peak.  This hike fit the bill for all of us and turned in to a really fun adventure!

We're almost there!  Red Butte and Cutler Point loom in the distance

Cutler Point towers above us as we trod through the soft, but deep sand

The Great Chamber . . . with its pristine and finely grained sand dune!

Allison & Kent . . . along with Lola and Ezy

A view from a different angle . . . so cool, it's hard to describe!

We passed through this little slot as we exited the alcove

We came across this fallen section of a sandstone fin on the east side

We ascended the first portion of the cliff by going up this sandstone fin . . . 
It's easier to walk up than you'd think . . . as long as your shoes can grip the sandstone 

This Ponderosa Pine tree continued to grow in a horizontal position after it was blown over . . . amazing! 

Yes, it is as steep as it looks!

Tom thinks he has found a route up
The final 100 ft were the toughest to find a weakness that all of us could ascend . . . 
Kent ended up staying with dogs while Tom & Allison completed the hike

Up on top of Cutler Point we came across this arch

Tom is walking south on the backbone heading toward the benchmark

This is the first time we have seen a battery left by the surveyors . . . it was used for their lights

Tom uncovered the benchmark which was buried under a few inches of soil

The Cliffe Benchmark was placed here in 1954 by surveyors who arrived by helicopter . . . whimps!

A week ago we were on top of Spring Point looking at Cutler Point . . . and here we are!     

Looking westwards towards Diana's Throne (it's the farthest left Point on the horizon) . . .
We tried to climb this in 2020
Still lots of exploring to do in this area!

An interesting design 

Blowing wind creates sand circles . . . no wind for us today!

We have come full circle . . . Cutler Point was definitely worth the trip!

The parking area is just up ahead . . . we can't wait to get out of this sand!

 Red Butte was a bonus Tom had planned for us

We had fun exploring the formations . . . the dogs, not so much

Just a little bit of snow on the north side of the bowl

The geology of Utah never ceases to amaze us

They say, "All good things come in threes" we have to agree! 
Over the last three weeks this was our third 'Point' hike:  Flag, Spring & Cutler
Each had their own uniqueness that provided us with much enjoyment and reminded us why we like to hike

We highly recommend a trip to this area northeast of Kanab . . . you won't regret spending some time in this wonderful area.  For more information on Cutler Point, please click here for Tom's Peakbagger.com posting . . . it will provide you with a topo map and GPS tracks.

Glass Eye Ruins

After completing our hike of Spring Point, and still having a good portion of the afternoon remaining (and the use of Tom's Can-Am), we decided to try and find Glass Eye Ruins.  Last week, after hiking Flag Point we tried to locate them on our way back to the Johnson Canyon staging area, but ran out of daylight. Fortunately, this time we were able to walk straight to Glass Eye Canyon and discovered them right under the rim.

We followed this foot path off the rim . . . it lead us directly to the ruins 

Glass Eye Ruins 

Pictograph . . .
Not sure what this symbol represents?

A decorative pottery shard . . . 
Makes you wonder if they didn't use their fingernails for the design?

Simple pictographs on the cliff overhang

The walls inside this room were charred from fires

Adobe mortar used to hold the stones in place

Little doors for little people
(Notice the smoke holes (?) on either side of the door)

The cliff overhang must have provided good protection from the weather 

An assortment of pottery shards laying beneath the ruins

Normally, we like to provide information that helps our readers find the areas we visit so that you might enjoy them for yourselves.  Being sensitive to the misuse/abuse of social media to bring unwanted damage to special areas such as these ruins, we have chosen not to post this information.  However, if in doing some "legwork", on your own, and you're still not able to ascertain their location, please contact us . . . we "might" be able to provide you with some helpful hints.  We hope you understand our desire to be good stewards.  Thanks!

Spring Point

After last week's hike (and Can-Am excursion) to Flag Point, we decided to cross off another hike on our winter list . . . that being Spring Point and the Clark Benchmark that was reportedly on top of it.  After a chilly ride to the base of Spring Point, we were all glad to "pile out" of the Can-Am and begin our hike on a beautiful sunny morning.  Although we didn't find the benchmark, we all agreed that the spectacular scenery made the hike worth our effort to get to the summit.

It was a cold 18 degree frosty morning!

Our goal is to recover the Clark Benchmark on the south end of Spring Point

The White Cliffs are actually multi-hued sandstone and stunning

Petrified Navajo sandstone

Walking on sandstone sure beats trudging through sand

We dropped into this wash hoping it would lead us up to the saddle . . . it did not!

Out of the wash and into the loose sand . . .
We have found a good route that leads up to a saddle

Neat rock formations began popping up all around us

A little hoodoo and balancing rock

At the saddle and beginning our final push for the summit
We have to wonder how many people have ever seen this place?!

A view of the hoodoo from above

Can you see Tom & Kent? It's my turn . . . up I go!

Colorful lichen

Looking north toward the Pink Cliffs

 The White Cliffs span many miles eastward from Zion . . .
That's Cutler Point, in the middle of the picture, and it has a benchmark on top . . . 
Possibly next week's hike??

Tom spotted a register hidden in this rock pile . . .
 Now we know at least one other person has been here before us

We have reached the south end of Spring Point
(Looking southwest towards Johnson Canyon and the road we took to begin our hike)

The 1954 Clark Benchmark 'should' be here somewhere

After much searching & digging (you can see the surveyor sticks in front of Tom),
Tom made the call that the benchmark was unrecoverable . . . or as Tom likes to say . . . 
"They don't pay me to do this!"

Moqui marbles

Back at the saddle
It was fun walking around these picturesque formations 

As far as the eye can see . . . so many different colors and shapes

Those white cliffs, on the other canyon wall, hide Montezuma Mine . . . a future trip!

This unique sandstone fin caught our eye just before heading back down the sandy ridge

As we were heading home from the staging area in Johnson Canyon, we noticed
this arch along the east side of the road.  Come to find out it is called Eagle Gate Arch,
but is located on private property and is not accessible.
. . .
We've driven along Johnson Canyon Road many times before.  How did we not see it? 
 It goes to show, that just because you think you've seen it all . . . you haven't !
  

The highlight of this trip were the rock formations at the saddle where we started our final section to the summit of Spring Point.  If you'd like to explore just the saddle it's only about a three mile round-trip hike to see this amazing landscape.  Please click here for a topo map and GPS tracks from Tom's Peakbagger.com post.