These are the cliffs of Cedar Mesa. Doesn´t look like much when approaching,

but they´re quite impressive and very pretty to look at.

The sheer cliffs of the Cedar Mesa are located in southern Utah, a bit more than 20 miles north of Monument Valley and the Arizona border. The nearest town is Mexican Hat, and the Valley of the gods, the smaller version of Monument Valley, is very close-by. Apart from the scenic landscape there is a specific reason one wants to come to this remote corner of wild Utah. It is Muley Point, an overlook with spectacular scenery.

This is what it looks like when arriving on top. Rugged shrubbery on almost no soil,

it´s a very exposed bit of land. A dry and minimalistic beauty.

And as one turns toward the edge, the overwhelming unrivaled view comes into sight. The very special uniqueness is this: It is a four state panorama. Standing in Utah, one can look south towards Monument Valley into Arizona, a turn to the southwest brings the plains of New Mexico into sight, and finally, to the east the snowy peaks in Colorado can be seen. Unfortunately it was to hazy on this day to catch it on camera. Best chances for this spetacle are in the wee hours of the morning or in the winter season.

Here the canyon of the San Juan River can be seen. The light brownish serpent line at the bottom is a gravel road,

the river can be glimpsed at the center of the picture. The San Juan River flows in a westerly direction to join the

Colorado River into Lake Powell. In the distance the unique reliefs of Monument Valley.

The road coming from Mexican Hat, the last bit of tarmac before the climb on gravel roads begins.

The top of the cliff is seamed with a rock band that seems to break with a symmetrical pattern, like in a quarry.

This is due to extreme temperatures, very hot in summer and very cold in winter. 

The wonderful gravel road that we came by.

If you enjoy the American West try reading about Pink Sand Dunes, Bryce Canyon and Camp Manzanar.

Check out all pics of the West.