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Fishmouth Ruins - 2 members in 6 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
6 triplogs
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Oct 12 2025
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 Guides 44
 Routes 163
 Photos 25,188
 Triplogs 2,433

male
 Joined May 04 2004
 Mesa, AZ
Fishmouth RuinsSoutheast, UT
Southeast, UT
Hiking avatar Oct 12 2025
CannondaleKidTriplogs 2,433
Hiking1.70 Miles 259 AEG
Hiking1.70 Miles   1 Hour   4 Mns   1.59 mph
259 ft AEG15 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
trixiec
While we bailed on Double Stack due to lack of a good water crossing, thankfully Fishmouth was more accommodating, at least from memory a dozen days later. I don't recall any issues with the wash crossing so it must have been dry or maybe a short step across?

Once heading up the canyon we encountered MANY areas of massive detritus as a result of prior heavy rainfall. So after a number of detours (and of course the wasted efforts at Double Stack), by time we came within sight of Fishmouth we were running a bit short of ambition and/or energy.

Climbing the steep slick rock section just 1/8-mile shy of the cave itself was a challenge, due as much to a weak knee as to the mud/sand on our footgear. Although we made it up ok, that would be as far as we would go... turning around at the exact same spot as we did 11.5 years ago.

By this time we were eager to get back to the car and hopefully make it through the rest of Butler Wash Road to UT 95 and on to our Air BnB 1 block from the exact center of town in Blanding.

While the North end of Butler Wash Road wasn't as bad as the middle part as to deep erosion at wash crossings, but near the end we encountered a Southbound 2WD van which we found abandoned partially in the ditch on a slick/muddy hill. At least we made it out without further ado.

Temps were reasonable... 65-76°

Spoiler Alert: Although we won't be driving Butler Wash Road until the end of the week, tomorrow after our first hike we will experience plenty of drama at a running high water wash crossing.
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CannondaleKid
 
Apr 16 2022
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 Guides 100
 Routes 63
 Photos 2,548
 Triplogs 184

76 male
 Joined Nov 21 2015
 Grand Junction,
Fishmouth RuinsSoutheast, UT
Southeast, UT
Hiking avatar Apr 16 2022
Steph_and_BlakeTriplogs 184
Hiking3.50 Miles 320 AEG
Hiking3.50 Miles
320 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Easy hike with plenty of ruins, not much in the way of rock art, some shards and corn cobs. We were two of about a dozen people in the canyon that day. Not bad for an Easter weekend.
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Stephanie and Blake Barnard
 
Jan 10 2022
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 Routes 297
 Photos 6,928
 Triplogs 552

49 male
 Joined Dec 30 2007
 Avondale,Az
Fishmouth RuinsSoutheast, UT
Southeast, UT
Hiking avatar Jan 10 2022
StoicTriplogs 552
Hiking2.50 Miles 696 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   1 Hour   27 Mns   2.11 mph
696 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Another cold morning. We woke up to 17F. This was an easy hike until the end. The ascent to the final cave is a little rough. A lot of loose rock and sand. It was 24F when we got back to the truck.
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Apr 28 2018
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,393
 Triplogs 2,234

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Fishmouth RuinsSoutheast, UT
Southeast, UT
Hiking avatar Apr 28 2018
AZLOT69Triplogs 2,234
Hiking7.90 Miles 566 AEG
Hiking7.90 Miles
566 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Rain was threatening, so we stayed close to camp today. Got an early start to do the Fishmouth, thinking there would be others on the weekend. On the way back we decided to bushwhack to the next canyon north and explore. By the time we got back over to the Fishmouth trail, there was a group of ten headed in.
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It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
May 04 2016
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,393
 Triplogs 2,234

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Fishmouth RuinsSoutheast, UT
Southeast, UT
Hiking avatar May 04 2016
AZLOT69Triplogs 2,234
Hiking4.00 Miles 250 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles
250 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
No one else around. Gnats biting , bring bug spray.
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
May 13 2014
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 Guides 44
 Routes 163
 Photos 25,188
 Triplogs 2,433

male
 Joined May 04 2004
 Mesa, AZ
The Comb - Fishmouth Ruins, UT 
The Comb - Fishmouth Ruins, UT
 
Hiking avatar May 13 2014
CannondaleKidTriplogs 2,433
Hiking3.50 Miles 712 AEG
Hiking3.50 Miles   2 Hrs   7 Mns   1.79 mph
712 ft AEG      10 Mns Break12 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners partners
trixiec
Hike #3 of 10 of our Spring 2014 Utah trip.
Although we saw 'Fishmouth' Cave from Butler Wash Road while out this way last Spring, we never got a chance to work it into our busy plans. So, back again, we figured we should hit this one up early in the week so it didn't get left out again.

We got started on it just fine but after spending so much time exploring two separate ruin sites on the way out to Fishmouth and a longer hike to the other side of comb Ridge up next, well... we ended up glassing Fishmouth, not seeing a great deal of interest, and heading back for our next hike.

Although abbreviated somewhat, we still took plenty of photos and I have a couple videos of the ruin sites:
Ruin #1: https://www.youtube.com/embed/cqO45FpPxjg
Ruin #2: https://www.youtube.com/embed/_PspbIXh0ME
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Western Tanager
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CannondaleKid
 
average hiking speed 1.83 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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