Another planet for Day 6 & 7

Of all the states we drove through, Utah was the most surprising. The landscape was downright other-worldy. It's known for its natural diversity and it didn't disappoint. We saw everything from arid deserts to thriving pine forests in mountain valleys. It was rugged and geographically diverse -- at the convergence of the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. My iPhone photos definitely don't do it justice, but I don't know that any camera can. I think it's a you-need-to-see-it-to-believe-it scenario. 

Western edge of Colorado

Utah State Line

We got off the interstate once hitting Utah and then the drive got real interesting. We took the Scenic Byway 128 along the Colorado River to Arches National Park. We began to wonder if the photo ops would ever run out? We were also prepared for a super hot day, but it turned out to be cool and overcast with pockets of rain which was welcome relief! 

Grand County, Utah on 128 to Cisco

Utah State Route 128

Utah State Route 128 is just over 70km long and is designated the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway. This road also forms part of the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway and a National Scenic Byway. The highway was originally built to connect rural eastern Utah to Grand Junction, Colorado (the largest city in the region). 

Along the Colorado River just east of Dewey

Along the Colorado River just east of Dewey

The highway crosses the Colorado River at the site of the Dewey Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Dewey Bridge Campground

Dewey Bridge Campground

West of Dewey

Looking toward Dome Plateau and Colorado River

State Route 128 runs into Arches National Park and then skirts around the south-eastern edge before ending just outside of Moab. Turn right and you head toward the park gates. We entered Arches with our America the Beautiful Pass.

Courthouse Towers, Arches National Park

The Three Gossips, Arches National Park

Balanced Rock, Arches National Park

The Windows, Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Parade of Elephants, Arches National Park

Arches National Park

Garden of Eden, Arches National Park

After Arches, we took a drive through Moab and then a quick jaunt on I-70 before getting off the interstate once again in favour of State Route 24, to begin another scenic byway -- this time Capitol Reef Scenic Byway. Here we drove along the eastern side of the San Rafael Reef, Goblin Valley State Park and then through Capitol Reef National Park. 

The Mars Society established the Mars Desert Research Station just outside Hanksville, due to its Mars-like terrain! 

Section of San Rafael Reef along route 24 near the Mars Society

A San Rafael Reef Swell

The San Rafael Reef is a geologic feature part of the Colorado Plateau. It is mostly composed of steeply titled layers of Sandstone, eroded into tall fins, domes, cliffs, and deep canyons. 

The drive through Capitol Reef National Park itself was rugged and spectacular, showing off more sandstone cliffs and dome formations that run along the Fremont River to Pleasant Creek on Waterpocket Fold. A reef refers to any rocky barrier to land travel, just as ocean reefs are barriers to sea travel. 

Capitol Reef National Park near Fruita

Fruita, Utah (not to be confused with Fruita, Colorado) is the best-known settlement in Capitol Reef National Park. It is located at the confluence of Fremont River and Sulphur Creek. Despite its status as a ghost town, it is the location of the National Parks Service's employee residences. It was established in the late 19th century by a group of Mormons, but was abandoned in 1966 when the National Park Service purchased the town to be included in Capitol Reef National Park. As we drove through, we could see the restored schoolhouse as well as a few other historical buildings. The orchards also remain and apparently consist of about 2,500 trees. The orchards are preserved by the NPS as a "historic landscape". 

At Torrey, we turned left onto the All-American Road: Scenic Byway 12 (or Utah State Route 12). This is 200 km of pure driving delight. Although we were on route to Bryce, the destination was far from our minds as we left the desert and climbed through the clouds in Dixie National Forest. A stop at the scenic overlook near the road's summit on Boulder Mountain at about 9,000 feet put it all into perspective. The panorama includes the Henry Mountains, Grand Staircase-Escalante and the shimmering red rock of Capitol Reef National Park. And yet, there we were standing in 9 degree weather, amongst subalpine fir and aspen groves. 

Route 12 Summit

Route 12 Summit of Boulder Mountain

  

Route 12 Summit of Boulder Mountain

Route 12

Route 12

Route 12

The entire route is "open range" where cattle roam freely between grazing lands. We saw plenty of small groups of cattle out on their own, and one group being moved by ranchers (and their working Aussie). 

Beginning of Hogback Ridge

Along the Hogback Ridge between Boulder and Escalante, the road narrows and hairpin turns dare you on a road that drops off drastically from the shoulders down into deep canyons below. Those were the most thrilling miles! There are no guard-rails and one hairpin turn follows another, with 14% grades at times. 

Hogback Ridge

Hogback Ridge

Hogback Ridge

Hogback Ridge

Hogback Ridge

At the end of the ridge is Escalante, nestled between Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks and perched on the edge of Grand Staircase National Monument (unspoiled cliffs, canyons, and plateaus). We continued to drive through clouds, rain, wind, and sun... the temperatures ranging from 9 degrees to high 20s, sometimes in a matter of minutes. We learned that southern Utah and this area of the Colorado Plateau is prone to monsoons in summer, when thunderstorms and heavy rains (and flash floods) are probable. 

 

The unpredictable weather paid off though -- just southwest of Escalante on Route 12 we simultaneously looked in our rear-view mirrors and noticed the ultimate double rainbow! 

 

Kaiparowits Plateau Straight Cliffs and Rainbow in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

To the south and southwest of Escalante is the Kaiparowits Plateau. To the west are the Dixie National Forest (2 million acres worth!) and the Escalante Mountains. 

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Route 12 outside of Henrieville

We got settled in Bryce Canyon City for the evening and headed out for dinner. 

Checking in to our hotel in Bryce Canyon City

Dinner View in Tropic

Our fourth and final rainbow of the day

Tropic looking toward Powell Point & Table Cliff Plateau

Day 6: ~ 500 km

In the morning we entered Bryce Canyon National Park. We spent most of our time on the Rim Trail between Sunset and Sunrise Point, as well as the Bryce Canyon Lodge and Paria View. We also saw a herd of deer. 

Deer

Sunset Point

Sunset Point

Sunset Point

Sunset Point

Sunset Point

Rim Trail

Rim Trail

Rim Trail toward Sunrise Point

Paria View

Paria View

Paria View

After Bryce, we carried on along the southeastern edge of Dixie National Forest to Zion National Park. 

Driving into Zion National Park

Zion National Park Mesa

Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, Zion National Park

Zion National Park

As we drove through Zion National Park, we were surrounded by massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red in a narrow canyon. 

East Temple, Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Hairpin turns

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, bottom of hairpins

Bridge Mountain, Zion National Park

Zion-Mount Carmel Highway

Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Springdale Town Park looking toward West Temple, Zion National Park

We had a late lunch in St. George, Utah and things really started to heat up (back to the mid 40s). 

Lunch in St. George

The ensuing drive through the northeastern most part of the Mojave Desert to Las Vegas was both scenic and desolate... oh, and VERY hot. 

 

After a cold shower and some recuperation in the hotel room A/C we went for a delicious fajita dinner and a cruise through The Strip.

Day 7: ~ 450 km