Wooden Deck Ruin

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.9 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5771 - 5810 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 1 hr.
Trailhead: Five Kiva Pueblo
Fee: none
Attractions: cliff dwelling

The Wooden Deck Ruin is located on the outskirts of Blanding, Utah near the confluence of Westwater Creek and Big Canyon. The ruins covers the opening in the cliff of a large cave that is 20-30 feet above the sloping canyon bottom. This post describes hiking along the east rim of the canyon from the Five Kiva Pueblo trailhead to an overlook where the ruin is visible.

Cuba Area (2)

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Cañon Tapia - Part 1 of 3      
Round trip distance: 7.7 miles. (Moderate)

Elevation: 5898 - 6155 feet. Fee: none

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Cañon Tapia - Part 2 of 3      
Round trip distance: 7.7 miles. (Moderate)

Elevation: 5898 - 6155 feet. Fee: none

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Cañon Tapia - Part 3 of 3      
Round trip distance: 7.7 miles. (Moderate)

Elevation: 5898 - 6155 feet. Fee: none

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Guadalupe ruins    
Round trip distance: 0.4 mile (Easy)
Elevation: 5908 - 6068 feet  · Fee: none

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Secret Alcove Ruins

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 4360 - 4535 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 3 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Cottonwood Wash
Fee: none
Attractions: cliff dwelling, petroglyphs

The Secret Alcove Ruins are located in a side canyon of Cottonwood Wash on the north side of Bluff, Utah. While the site is located within Bears Ears National Monument it is accessed via the Speaking Springs Preserve. Found in the alcove are the remains of 10 or more rooms, a few petroglyphs, and numerous grinding slicks.

Westwater Creek Ruins

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 5700 - 5801 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 1 hr. 45 mins.
Trailhead: Five Kiva Pueblo
Fee: none
Attractions: cliff dwellings

Westwater Creek runs down a long canyon on the west side of Blanding, Utah where a handful of ruins can be found inside of some of the alcoves. The ruins range in size from the famous Five Kiva Pueblo to ones of a single storage room or granary. This post will revisit the Five Kiva Pueblo and several larger ruins on the opposite side of the canyon that are within a few hundred feet.