The Legend of the Sleeping Ute

So I learned about something very interesting in this region.  There is a large seemingly random mountain all by itself out here in Southwestern Colorado.  I eventually discoverd that what everyone was calling the Ute was this mountain.  However, when I asked why they call it the Ute the answer was way cool.  If you look at it just right you can see an ancient warrior chief of the Ute indian tribe laying on his back with his arms folded across his chest and at the end you can even see his little toe!  This mountain is on the Ute reservation and is considered very sacred.  I thought that was the coolest thing ever!  So now everytime I look at the Ute I can see the warrior lying down.  I love it! 



The Sleeping Ute.  Can you see his head on the right and his toe down on the left side?


Legend of the Sleeping Ute Mountain


In the very old days, the Sleeping Ute Mountain was a Great Warrior God. He came to help fight against the Evil Ones who were causing much trouble.

A tremendous battle between the Great Warrior God and the Evil Ones followed. As they stepped hard upon the earth and braced themselves to fight, their feet pushed the land into mountains and valleys. This is how the country of this region came to be as it is today.

The Great Warrior God was hurt, so he lay down to rest and fell into a deep sleep. The blood from his wound turned into living water for all creatures to drink.

When the fog or clouds settle over the Sleeping Warrior God, it is a sign that he is changing his blankets for the four seasons. When the Indians see the light green blanket over their "God", they know it is spring. The dark green blanket is summer, the yellow and red one is fall, and the white one is winter.

The Indians believe that when the clouds gather on the highest peak, the Warrior God is pleased with his people and is letting rain clouds slip from his pockets. They also believe that the Great Warrior God will rise again to help them in the fight against their enemies.