Comb Ridge

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4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Bluff, Utah (SanJuan County)
Last Updated: 06/11/2020

Trail Information

Highlights

A true hidden treasure in the Utah desert. This area is rich with both ancient and recent history. It is interesting that no more than a few hundred yards apart there are Anasazi ruins that date at nearly 1000 years old and remnants of an old west trading post dating at 130 years old. This mix of historical timelines is not common to find so immediately close together. Add that to imposing red rock formations and the lush green San Juan river valley this is an oasis that you can walk through time visiting.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.9/5 (11)
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15100
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 05/22/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

I chose to add this trail to my solo 10-day Utah itinerary simply for the history of it and am glad I did. Checking out the old house at Waypoint 10 was really cool and seeing the well-preserved petroglyphs was an added bonus. The trail itself was pretty fun getting to go back and forth through the wash and up and down the banks. Some of them were pretty steep and had me a little off-camber so I'd recommend getting out and scouting a few of them before just dropping in. One thing to note that this trail description surprisingly doesn't mention or show photos of are the obstacles at Waypoint 6. In the photos where the Land Cruiser is turning left up the hill, there's a very rocky section in this corner that could likely puncture a tire if you're fully aired up and don't watch your placement. Again, very surprised that this isn't mentioned or shown as this is the only difficult part of the trail. Someone in a lower-clearance vehicle might think they can do this trail based off the rating and then be surprised to find out they can't make it past Waypoint 6.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 04/07/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Loved this trail. It was much easier than I expected, but we travelled it on a dry, sunny day so the ground was firm with good traction. There are some spots with deep sand dunes. At one point, the cited trail drops into the creek, but the bank has recently been cut very steep, leaving a sandy three-foot vertical drop. Easy down but would be more difficult going up on the return. It’s probably manageable with a lifted vehicle, but there is a much easier bypass a short way upstream. The obstacles on this trail are just plain fun. The payoff at waypoint 10 makes everything worth it. We did not carry on past 10 since we wanted to avoid the pinstriping.
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Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/30/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This is a fun, beautiful trail. Be careful, dropping in and out of the shallow Creek because with all the rain, some of the walls have became pretty steep. Most are doable, and you can always find another way out. The rock hill climb after waypoint 6 is more like a 3-4. Lots to see at the end of the trail, I will be back.
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 06/05/2022
Difficulty Accuracy: Harder

This is a very fun, scenic trail. Stop at The Rincone and walk to the river beach and have lunch. Beautiful, with a nice cool breeze. The River House is very interesting and fun to take pictures of. It is more than a 2 trail rating in a couple areas, particularly Waypoint 6, the fork you take a left on.
Trail Review: Comb Ridge - Tammy Norrington
Trail Review: Comb Ridge - Tammy Norrington
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Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 03/10/2021

What a great trail with tons to see. Don't miss the turn off at the bottom of the hill off the highway. We parked the RV trailering the jeep down the dirt road and to the left. There was a nice spot to turn arround. The trail weaves arround the sage brush and through the creek bed, nothing too soft. Saw a few Razor's out there, but we had fun in the 2007 JKU. Old traiding post site, ruins, wagon train route (with insiping inscription at the top), and the petroglyph wall. Lots to see and a few signs to read. Tottally the best on a whim little trail ever with great sights to see.
Trail Review: Comb Ridge - Bob Justus
Trail Review: Comb Ridge - Bob Justus
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