Cedar Mesa and Muley Point near Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, USA
© Jeff Clay/Tandem Stills + Motio
The stories written across the land. National Public Lands Day
What do a bear's ears, a house on fire, and a road packed with hairpin turns have in common? They're all part of the story of southeastern Utah's public lands.
On National Public Lands Day, Cedar Mesa and nearby Muley Point offer a remarkable mix of ancient history and high-desert scenery. Bears Ears National Monument encompasses important cultural and natural resources, including archaeological sites that reflect thousands of years of human history. Its name comes from twin buttes that resemble a bear's ears.
Rising to roughly 6,500 feet, Cedar Mesa is carved by deep canyons, including Grand Gulch, an archaeological treasure trove. Mule Canyon's House on Fire gets its name from sandstone that glows orange in morning light. Nearby Muley Point overlooks the San Juan River, Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley, and Navajo Mountain. Reaching it via the steep, unpaved Moki Dugway gives new meaning to the word 'switchback.'
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