On our final days away, we explored the cathedral caves and passage ways. The walls towered over us allowing glimpses of the blue sky. We climbed to the top and viewed the valley. Back on the road, Kevin was excited to find Las Vegas beer at a small gas station. Of course, it was 3.2 beer as it was Utah. We continued to the Extraterrestrial Highway and Area 51. We were lucky that the Alien Research Center was open! We were greeted by a giant silver alien! Inside the building contained all the alien tourist gadgets and other memorabilia. Of course, we bought an Action Bend-Deez Alien and a couple of tourist magnets. The Extraterrestrial Hwy is a long lonely road with one town
“Rachel” and lots of wandering cows and a few dead ones. Not a road to be driven at night. We made our way to the Bob Scott Forest Campground which was closed as most of these don’t open until late May. But we had planned to sleep near the entrance which was the same idea a few other people had. We found a spot across the road and settled in for the night. Next day, Kevin noticed one of the sprinter tires was slowly losing air. We made our way to Les Schwab in Winnemucca. Kevin already suspected that it wasn’t a puncture but a cracked wheel and Les Schwab confirmed it. So we got the spare mounted and we were on our way. (This is the 2nd steel wheel we’ve had crack so
we will be buying better wheels.) From there we traveled through Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, back through Oregon and finally Washington and home. The beagle greeted us with lots of tail wags and barks.
Utah Bound 05.03-06.18 Video
Last week in Escalante, we had some rainy/snowy days so we hiked around the local area. Found a trail up the backside of the park and hiked until we saw a beer can in a tree and figured that was a good turnaround. The weather was starting to turn at that point and it began to hail. The going became difficult when the clay dirt turned to mud that clung to our shoes. With each step our shoes became heavier until we scraped the mud off on various rocks as we descended. It was hilarious.
The next day we went on the hunt for the circle of friends pictograph. After wandering around in the desert for hour and spotting a dead rattlesnake, we finally found the pictographs. We then said goodbye to our friends as we headed west. We drove to Cedar City and then over Hwy 56 to Cathedral Gorge State Park for the evening.
Utah Bound 05.01-02.18 Video
A couple of great days around Escalante hiking through slot canyons and hills. Jim & Katie’s 4 wheel drive Sprinter was great in getting us to the trailhead. It made us wish 4 wheel drive was available when we bought our Sprinter. Short hike to the entrance of Peekaboo. Tricky 15 vertical foot entry to Peekaboo which required you to trust your feet
and a mantle or inelegant beached-whale move to get over the lip. We then continued through the canyon ducking over and under the rocks. Stemming, chimney, mantle and counter pressure techniques were all used. Once through Peekaboo, we hiked through the desert to the entrance of Spooky. After a short break enjoying laying on the rocks in the sun, we headed down Spooky. Spooky had a tight down climb and then the canyon narrowed. Several places required turning sideways and squeezing through and walking that way for several yards. Meeting people going the opposite direction meant you had to find a wider place to pass which may require going backwards. It was a load of fun! We hiked back to the Sprinter through washes and over rocks following the cairns “ducks”. Some were so poorly constructed, I dubbed them “lame ducks.” Back in the van for the hour 4 wheel drive back to camp with a stop in town for ice cream at Nemo’s. Jim and the van handled the rough dirt road in excellent fashion. Dinner at the BBQ trailer in
town. Next day started with cooler temperatures-rain and snow mix. I’m sure everyone is wondering if it was the Northwesterner who brought the bad weather. We decided to hike the petrified forest next to the campground. The rain really enhanced the colors of the petrified wood. Dinner at Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder, UT. Another great day!
Utah Bound 04.30-05.01.18 Video
Burr Trail Road
It was really windy throughout the night at Larb Hollow rest area but we awoke to a nice view. Headed back towards Escalante and saw a sign for Burr Trail Road. 31 miles one way connecting Boulder, UT via Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument to Capitol Reef National Park. The trail was originally built by John Burr to move cattle from the plateau on Boulder Mountain to Bullfrog Basin near the Colorado River. The trail is now mostly a paved road. So we decided that looked like a fun side trip to explore. Along the way was the Navajo Sandstone outcrop known locally as Sugar Loaf. Formerly, sand dunes that were repeatedly buried and exposed over millions of years. Changes in pressure have resulted in cracking of the sandstone forming biscuit like sections. As we continued the drive, we descended into a canyon. In several places, you could see the start of arches in the canyon walls. We drove all the way to the border of Capitol Reef National Park. Here the road changed to dirt and recommended high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicles only, so we decided it was time to turn around and head back. This was a fantastic road, substantially less traffic than Capitol Reef National Park and I thought better scenery. On the way back, I spotted a little slot canyon. It did not go back very far but it was pretty cool seeing the giant rock soaring overhead. We walked in the wash for a bit exploring and gazing upward. Once back on highway 12, we headed for Escalante where we met up with our friends Jim & Katie and enjoyed dinner at one of the local restaurants. Then off to our campsite in Escalante Petrified Forest Campground.
Utah Bound 04.29.18 Video
Kodachrome, Hwy 12 to Capital Reef
Today, we explored Hwy 12 and Capital Reef National Park. Throngs of tourist but I guess that is to be expected as it is the season and a Saturday. Temperature was 83 degrees. I heard one tourist ask the ranger where they could hike in shade. The ranger just laughed and said there are no trees and no shade in this park. We drove the scenic trail in Capitol Reef and then headed back towards Escalante. Overnighting at Larb Hollow Viewpoint and looks like three other travelers will be sleeping here as well so I guess we won’t have it to ourselves. But that’s ok because it does have an awesome view.
Utah Bound 04.28.18 Video
Bryce National Park
Side trip to Bryce. It was very busy at the first viewpoints so we drove to the end of the road were it was a little quieter. Hiked around there checking out the expansive views and bristlecone pine trees that have lived over 1000 years. Spent a couple hours talking with another couple (Norman & Isabel) from Montreal who are traveling around in a van. Dinner at an overlook in Bryce. Then drove back to Arch group campsite at Kodachrome SP and met up with our new friends Tom & Meg. We will see them again as they live in the northwest and have invited us to go sailing off of Orcas sometime in the future. Meg is a beagle lover as well so she was excited to hear about Beagle Nationals this October in Portland.
Utah Bound 04.27.18 Video
4/26/18
Kodachrome and area. Beautiful scenery but hot for us Northwest sissies! But I guess hiking at 2pm not such a great idea. The campground was full but we were able to park in the group campsite with some other folks and we made some new friends.
Utah Bound 04.26.18 Video
Birch Creek to Yuba lake sp
Left our BLM campsite and headed south just past Provo, UT. Found a great campsite at Yuba State Park with a lake view and showers.
Utah Bound 04.25.18 Video
4/24/18
Another 350 miles closer to our Utah destination. Beautiful views through the Bitterroot valley and along the Salmon River. Oh so close to the put-in for the Main Salmon River! We saw several pronghorn grazing along the highway. And we found a great free BLM campsite along Birch Creek with a snowy mountain view out one window and craggy, rocky mountain view out the other window. We are at 6000 feet so might get a little chilly tonight.
Utah Bound 04.24.18 Video
We’ve hit the road again! Beautiful sunny day in the northwest also makes me smile. The plan is to meet up with friends in Escalante next week but until then we headed east towards Montana. Usual sites along the way the Columbia River and the horses on the hill. Along the way we saw a road sign indicating free RV Park with electricity at Lincoln’s 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar so we thought let’s check it out. The bar has silver dollars covering the walls and the
store has quite a collection of items for sale. Couple of the bar patrons were a bit stiff and not very talkative. Lol. Jo and Bobdog were not able to join us on this trip.
Utah Bound 04.23.18 Video
