If there is one place that I can say has had an impact on my life it is the trip down into a well hidden spot known as McCloyd Canyon. Deep in its recesses is a set of ancient dwellings known Moon House Ruins.

The drive down to the trailhead is a tortuous eight miles over what is basically bedrock then turning north and meandering for another mile or so of twisting jeep road that winds in and out of a thick pinyon and juniper forest. That’s the easy part.

The hike isn’t a long one: a third of a mile of gentle downhill hiking to the canyon rim where the adventure begins. Basically it’s a scramble  from this point on while carefully picking one’s way diagonally southeast and down over a series of cascading bands of rock to a point where the cliffs are worn enough to create a route down.

Then, just at the point when you think you’ve got it made you reach an eight foot or so drop-off that must be down climbed — or more accurately described — need t slide off on your backside to reach a jumbled piled of rocks just hight enough that you can almost reach it with your foot. That is if you’re tall enough or have the good fortune to have long legs.

Only last trip down the top rock wobbled as I set my foot down upon it, Shakily, I balanced for a half minute or so till I had enough courage to let go and see off it would hold. Thankfully it did. A note to remember; bring a few friends along for reinforcements.

Another thing you should also know is that the BLM limits the numbers allowed in the canyon to 20 a day so checking with the ranger station ahead of time is a must.

Once down the walk is easy from this point on. The walk is almost level along a wide bench to a point where you are looking directly across at the ruins. The walls of the ruins are laid out horizontally beneath what seems like the perfect overhang. The walls actually appear more like a fortress than home but they provide protection against the elements and shelter smaller structures behind them that both for storage and living quarters.

To reach the ruins from this point the trail drops straight down with plenty of handholds to descend safely. Once across the creek the climb up to Moon House is a bit tricky but with a bit of scouting not too difficult to make your way up.

Rather than try to describe in my own words what spending the day in McCloyd Canyon and absorbing the sense of meaning that the trip has meant for me I would encourage you to experience Moon House Ruins for yourself and create your own.