Alkali Ridge Hilltop Pueblo

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 6236 - 6279 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time:  1 hr.
Trailhead: Alkali Point Rd. mm 6.6
Fee: none
Attractions: pueblo, potshards

The Hilltop Pueblo is found in the area of the Alkali Ridge National Historic Landmark east of Blanding, Utah. Sitting on a hill above the point of a cliff the ruin looks out over a branch of Alkali Canyon where a few more ruins might be found. The site is within an easy mile of the well maintained Alkali Point Road.

From Blanding drive north on US-191 for about 8.7 miles and turn right onto the unmarked Alkali Point Road. The turnoff comes up just after the turnoff on the opposite side of the highway for the Devil's Canyon Campground. Follow the graveled Alkali Point Road for about 6.6 miles, staying left at the fork with the Mustang Road. At the 6.6 mile point of the Alkali Point Road turn right onto a dirt track that leads west. Although you might not notice it the turnoff is at a spot where a natural gas pipeline crosses the Alkali Point Road.

After turning off of the Alkali Point Road you need to go only about 330 feet before turning left onto a 4wd road. In dry conditions you probably won't need to use 4wd but you might want to have a moderate amount of ground clearance in a few spots.

The 4wd road winds a little through the sagebrush and sparse pinon and juniper forest until it comes to an end near the rim of the canyon. There is a side route that branches off on the left before getting there where you will want to stay to the right.

From the end of the road you can look immediately to your left and see the high rubble pile mound of what was probably at least a 2 story pueblo.

You might notice a log or two sticking out of the rubble that would have been part of a roof or the ceiling or between floor of a room.

Before the ruins fell into a big pile of rubble it appears that there were at least one story rooms built on the south, east and west sides of the main higher structure. With no signs of mortar the rocks were probably all dry stacked which would have made the walls less stable and more likely to end up in the great pile of rubble that is seen at present.

A large amount of pottery shards are scattered all about the ruin.

Many of the non corrugated pieces are painted with various designs.

From the pueblos vantage point on its little hilltop it had a commanding view of portions of this side branch of Alkali Canyon, where we get the impression that a few cave ruins can be found, and the surrounding plateau.

While there isn't a lot to see in the way of what the original pueblo would have looked like it is nonetheless interesting to contemplate its location and imagine how life may have gone on there from day to day. We found it a lot of fun just to study all the various pieces of pottery and wonder which ones may have come to the location through trade with other people. Be sure to leave all pottery where you find it for others to enjoy and remember that it is not only unethical but illegal to remove any artifacts, excavate or to damage the site in any manner. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.