Cedar Mesa & Monument Valley

"River House Ruin"

March 2012, Cedar Mesa, Utah

This gorgeous ruin along the San Juan River is also known as "Snake House Ruin" due to a pictograph of a snake (not pictured) above one of the structures. In order to reach this exquisite ruin you need to either come in by river rafting or drive a nasty 4WD high-clearance road. I chose the latter method, but barely made it past a particularly difficult 100 foot section. I shot this image just before sunset when the golden rays of the sun cast a beautiful warm light on the external cliffs.

AnasaziCedar MesaIndian RuinsRiver HouseSnake HouseSouthwestern USAUtah