Lewis Lodge Ruins Cedar Mesa Hike in Arch Canyon on Elk Ridge

I've seen vague photos from random web posts mentioning Lewis Lodge Ruins, but it was almost like they were a myth. Did the ruins really exist? I wanted to know, so I tricked my cousin into taking a UTV trip to Cedar Mesa. Little did Randy know, there would be an extensive hike to reach the ruin which may or may not be at the end of some poorly marked trail. Oh yeah, did I mention he doesn't like to hike?

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Well, in the end, it wasn't too bad for Randy. We spent the day before exploring Arch Canyon. Arch Canyon is undoubtedly in my top three trails in Utah, and I enjoyed sharing the canyon with him. However, my main goal for the trip was to use Arch Canyon to scout for the ruins. Unfortunately, I was unable to spot the ruins from the bottom of Arch Canyon as they are too far up a side canyon. However, there are several interesting ruins in the canyon itself, not to mention the awe inspiring arches. If you make the trip to Lewis Lodge, please do yourself a favor and spend two days in the area and use one day to explore Arch Canyon.

We were actually spending the week at our 11A4 Moab Vacation Rental, but we knew this was going to be a long day, so we actually spent the night camping at Comb Wash. From the Comb Wash Campground, we took the old road to Lake Powell via Comb Ridge Dugway. If you have never been there, look close, and you will be able to spot two vehicles and a bulldozer that have fallen off the edge of the cliff on the steep road. That trail eventually reaches the top of Cedar Mesa and becomes a much easier road. We followed easy Elk Mountain Road to the more difficult Milk Ranch Point road, which requires a four-wheel drive or a high-clearance vehicle. From the Milk Ranch turnoff, it is about 5 miles to a small turnoff at a fence line and then a one mile hike to a ledge that eventually drops into the canyon that contains the Lewis Lodge Ruins.

The ledge to access the ruins is only about a foot wide and on a very steep slope along the cliff's edge. One false move and you will fall off of the ledge and into the canyon below. Just getting to this point is tricky, the wall gets steeper and steeper until you reach the edge and the rocks you see in the photo. The white colored rocks in the image above are the trail. Remember, everything is steeper in real life versus photos. In addition to all of that, one must duck under and round the unforgiving and stiff pinon trees that block the path. It is kind of like Mother Nature doesn't want anyone going down there.

The cliffside ruins are the main draw for the hike. But honestly, the best-preserved ruin is tucked away on the west side of the canyon, hidden from the trail above. It's set far back under a big overhang, which keeps it safe from the weather and the errosive effects of water. It seems like the ruin was larger at one time, but the rooms closer to the front have worn away from years of exposure. After you pass this ruin, there's a spring at the back of the canyon. This spring, coming from Cedar Mesa's Elk Ridge, is probably a big reason why the structure is here. With a steady water source, it was a great spot for the people living there to stay put for a long time without needing to venture out.

Once around to the east side of the canyon, you will encounter Lewis Lodge Ruin proper. The first thing you will notice is the defensive wall built (mostly collapsed) at the head of the canyon. Were the inhabitants trying to keep someone out, or is that just an assumption? If so, who were they trying to keep out and why? After you pass the defensive wall you will arrive at a well preserved kiva. It is amazing to me that after all of these years, the kiva is still in very good condition. It is important not to touch anything while visiting special places like the Lewis Lodge Kiva; that means not leaning on the walls, either. I wonder what was placed on the shelves. How can a structure like this survive for such a long time? There is still plaster on the walls and shelves. What about the roof beams? How is it that they have not rotted after not being attended to for hundreds of years?

It is unclear why numerous structures at the canyon's entrance are deteriorating. This could be attributed to weather conditions or the manner in which the rocks provide shelter and shade to the walls. Could water take more time to dry at the back of the canyon versus the head of the canyon? Alternatively, could more people be visiting the ruins near the back of the canyon? I would suspect many individuals may be apprehensive about venturing to the cliff's edge. Their caution is understandable, as a single misstep around the kiva could have fatal consequences.http://Canyon.In

The more you explore the Lewis Lodge Ruins, the deeper the canyon becomes. The ruins at the end of the structure stand high above Arch Canyon and provide a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. It's important to note that the ruins are built on the edge of a 700-foot cliff. Use extreme caution; it is best to leave children and pets behind on safer ground. Don't underestimate that height; 700 feet is very significant. To give you an idea, that's comparable to the two tallest redwood trees stacked on top of one another or the tallest buildings in New York City. If you slip, you'll have ample time to reflect on your poor footing before you hit the ground. Remember, it's not a gradual slope; it's a sheer 700-foot vertical cliff, not a 700-foot slope; it's a 700-foot vertical cliff.

This view shows one of the final ruins. You can see they are more well-preserved than the ones near the start. I honestly doubt very many people ever make it to this spot. Just look at the angle of the ledge I was required to walk across, with a 700-foot drop below. What's most amazing is the number of structures that have survived along the cliff—44 rooms in all. I have so many questions. Were kids allowed onto this ledge? If so, how did the parents keep them from falling off? For that matter, how did the parents not fall off? It took my total focus to get through the entire complex. Living in this environment must have been nearly impossible.

Wow!!! I would really like to go back. What a special place.

As you can see from the map we traveled a long ways via dirt road to get to the ruins. Depending on your plans and goals, you could make this a much shorter trip and start closer to Blanding, thus making this trail 30 minutes closer to Moab.

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If you are planning a trip to the Moab area, we hope you will consider staying with us at Moab Adventure Condo. You are going to need an SxS or jeep to complete this trip. Our condos offer large double garages with plenty of room to park your side by sides or other toys inside. The community also has plenty of room for trailer parking.