Skeleton Mesa

[Jim]

What do folks know about the Skeleton Mesa area? It is the mesa north of US 160 and Black Mesa, west of Kayenta, and it is bordered by the large sandstone monocline on the south side. The most interesting parts looks to be the monocline along the highway, but there must be more out there.

[big_load]

It's got to be interesting. I have an overwhelming urge to get out and hike whenever I pass by. I need to see Keet Seel first, though.

[PaleoRob]

The drainages that flow into Laguna Creek are closed to hikers, so that eliminates most of the mesa. The hogback formations on the E side have ruins on them, and not many people go there. Same goes for the northern portion. I've been out there only a couple times.

[Jim]

Is that due to radioactive water, or just because of the ruins near to Navajo NM? The east side must be open?

36.675724, -110.402856

Plug that into the dex map and you'll roughly get an idea of my theorized access point, off of Navajo RT 6486. I'm primarily interested in the tilted sandstone formations near the road and the south part of the mesa. Seems odd that area would be closed, as I know someone who has cattle in a canyon in that area.

Mostly, I'm interested in the "Organ Rock Monocline" or "anticline" area, but also the mesa itself, though to a much lesser extent. Looks to be Navajo Sandstone, if anyone is familiar with that area.

[PaleoRob]

Closed because of ruins being damaged by hikers. The locals are welcome to hike around, run cattle, even live down in the canyons. The bulk of Skeleton Mesa is Navajo Sandstone, with Kayenta, Moenave, and Chinle at the base.

[Jim]

Doing B.M. today, and I plan to make my next local hike Skeleton Mesa. I have been told there is a trail that ascends the eastern side and goes to the top near a spring (which makes no sense). Also, this trail is supposed to run up to Utah, but I'm not doing that. It's 40 miles or so.

Surprising we have nothing out here in the DEX for hikes. B.M. is it.

[PaleoRob]

Welcome to how I felt living in Page when I searched for hikes in my area and just got Antelope Canyon. Looks like more descriptions are up to you then!

[Jim]

Yeah, some of the stuff I may end up doing might not be worth the write-up effort. As it is, who will do this stuff besides me? Also, there may be reservation access issues to consider, and some stuff might not be a trail. I'm interested to see how Skeleton Mesa turns out. I hope I find a decent social trail there. I know there won't be a trail like you get on Federal or other government lands, but something like B.M. might be nice. That is a pretty bad trail, but it is nice that it is there.

[azbackpackr]

If you can get someone to take you down Starting Water Wash north of Kaibito, I'm told it is quite an interesting canyon, but is off-limits (no more permits or access) so you'd have to go in with a tribal member. My friends called it "The Dark Arm." How's that for mysterious?

[PaleoRob]

As it is, who will do this stuff besides me?

If you post it, it is more likely people will hike it. Look at the hikes I posted from the Page area. Some have just been done by me, but now others have done some of the other hikes I've posted up, and others are on peoples' wish lists. That area is one giant blank spot on the HAZ map.