Fallen Roof Ruin is just one of the many incredible archaeological structures found in the Bears Ears National Monument cultural landscape.

The BLM does not require a special permit to visit this location, but you do need a monument pass available at kiosks.

These images are from a trip this year in late September and early October to the Blanding and Bluff areas of Southeast Utah.

The Fallen Roof Ruin is a 2.5+- mile out and back trail with a 500 foot elevation gain. I would rate this one easy, but it is at an elevation of 6,400 which could be an issue for those whose only hiking is at sea level.

The vertical image is 11 MM on a full-frame sensor. A very wide angle lens helps greatly.

Four Corners Photography has these excellent details.

Fallen Roof ruin has a relatively easy access. The only limiting factor can be if you get there during rainy season as the access Cigarette Springs Road will get impassible!

Turn off Hwy 261 East onto Cigarette Springs Road, which is 13 miles south of the intersection of Hwy 261 and Hwy 95. At 0.9 miles, you will come to a closed gate with a BLM Monticello registration/sign in sign. Sign in and pay the $2 (day use per person)or $5 (day use + overnight per person). This permit will be good for all other ruins in the area too. The trailhead parking is exactly 2.5 miles from the gate. It is simply a left turn to the North. This turn is unmarked. Drive in as far as you can and park. At the end of the road you will see a simple sign that says ‘Trail’.

The trail is easy to follow. The first 1/3 mile is a very easy and comfortable hike on top of the mesa covered with trees. Than it drops down into the canyon. At the bottom, you will see a number of cairns. Continue hiking to your right down the canyon until you come to a much wider area of the canyon. You will see in front of you a gigantic rock tower. Pass it leaving by following the canyon to the right. Past this you will start to see sheer walls ahead, on the North side of the canyon. Pretty soon you will see at the North side of the canyon the ruins. Fallen Roof Ruin is the first one you come to, approximately 1/4 mile past the wider area of the canyon. It is about 100-150 feet above the canyon floor, but really an easy scramble on slickrock to get up to it. The GPS positioning for the ruin is N37.396335 W109.872443.

The best time to photograph the ruin is before direct sun hits parts of the ruin causing deep shadows. We were there at 10:00 AM, in early October, and made it with a half hour or so to spare. In summer, that may have been too late.

Best advice is be there early- to mid-morning depending on season, spend some time, and wait to see if the light improves.

Equipment

Those interested in my equipment and recommendations can find it here: Mish’s Equipment List.

Bears Ears Previous Posts

The Moon House Ruin – Bears Ears National Monument

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