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Checked out the local Barnes and Noble for literature selections on Grand Gulch, Cedar Mesa, etc. in anticipation of a backback adventure late March. Nothing on the shelves, but ended up ordering Ray A. Williamson's "Cowboys and Cave Dwellers: Basketmaker Archaeology in Utah's Grand Gulch".

Anybody got any other recommendations???

That's a good one.
David Robert's In Search of the Old Ones.
Craig Child's House of Rain.
Both of those talk about Cedar Mesa in various chapters, and are fun and easy reads.

PageRob wrote:Craig Child's House of Rain.

I'm halfway through "House of Rain" right now. It's spellbinding. It's less meditative than "The Secret Knowledge of Water" and "Soul of Nowhere" (both of which I greatly enjoyed) because he's so caught up in the wonder of piecing together the ancient story. It really makes me want to get out and have a look.

I've been glancing at my Falcon Guide for the "Grand Staircase - Escalante & the Glen Canyon Region"...

My copy of Ray A. Williamson's "Cowboys and Cave Dwellers: Basketmaker Archaeology in Utah's Grand Gulch" arrived and I started flipping through it this weekend. The vintage photos have already made this book a worthy addition to the home library. Also makes me think about the possibility of some "THEN AND NOW" photo ops for our upcoming Bullet-Grand Gulch-Government backpack... ;)

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Absolutely "In Search of the Old Ones." Also David Roberts' much newer book, not really about Grand Gulch, but nearby, and worth reading, "Sandstone Spine."

big_load wrote:

PageRob wrote:Craig Child's House of Rain.

I'm halfway through "House of Rain" right now. It's spellbinding. It's less meditative than "The Secret Knowledge of Water" and "Soul of Nowhere" (both of which I greatly enjoyed) because he's so caught up in the wonder of piecing together the ancient story. It really makes me want to get out and have a look.

I finished it last week. I need to read a lot more to understand how well it meshes with current academic opinion, but it made a lot of sense and answered many of my questions as well as raising new ones. I rate it just below John McPhee's "Annals of the Former World" as an outstanding survey of a fascinating but impossibly broad topic.

Old thread revived due to Rob's planned trip......

"Cedar Mesa Hikes" by Jim Beard - There is a companion book (photos) entitled "Sandstone Way".

I discovered last month that some of the rangers at Chaco Canyon don't think too much of House of Rain. Still, it was a great read and I'll eventually follow up on the references to get a more well-rounded picture.

hikeaz wrote:"Cedar Mesa Hikes" by Jim Beard - There is a companion book (photos) entitled "Sandstone Way".

I find his writing to be hard to follow, especially because he doesn't use the word "the" in his book (and least the copy I have), and he uses irritating abbreviations. Lots of good information, but not impressed with the overall written quality.

So does "THE MARAUDERS" by R. Gay now count as Grand Gulch - selected readings?

Part of it takes place in The Gulch. Certainly could, I guess!

How about 'Lady Chatterly's Lover?'
Oh, wait, you're looking for books that fit in with the theme of the area. Never mind.