Southern Utah Wanderings

[IntrepidXJ]

I finished up the loop through Cainville Wash and reached the highway again at Cainville. I headed west again through Capitol Reef National Park and stopped to check out the overlook of the Goosenecks of Sulphur Creek. They were kind of cool, but do not compare to Goosenecks State Park near Mexican Hat.

Washboard section of road on the way back to the highway

I continued on and stopped for fuel in Torrey before turning south on UT 12. When I reached Boulder, I ended up taking a driving break and checking out Anasazi State Park, which was pretty similar to Edge of the Cedars in Blanding.

Goosenecks of Sulpher Creek

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Soon I made my way down 'The Hogback' and finally into Escalante. My first stop was the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monumnet Visitor Center so I could get my backcountry camping permits for the next few nights. Unfortunately, when I was in the parking lot, I noticed that my iPhone was not charging and was almost dead. I needed to figure out a way to charge it so that I could keep in touch with Amanda so she wouldn't worry about me. I decided to grab some lunch at the Circle D Eatery to figure out what I would do.....of course, this seemed to be the only restaurant open in Escalante on a Sunday. I asked the waitress where my best chances for finding a cable would be for my phone and she informed me that both Cedar City and Page, AZ had Walmarts. Cedar City was out of the way for my plans on this trip, however I was planning on eventually making my way down to Page at some point during the week. Since the weather was still windy and cloudy, I figured it would be a good evening to make my way to Page to get a new cable. After I finished eating my burger and shoestring potatos for lunch, the wind knocked the power out to the restaurant and what seemed like much of Escalante.

I left the restaurant and headed south to Cannonville where I jumped on the Cottonwood Canyon Road and headed past Kodachrome Basin State Park on my way towards Page. While I decided not to stop at Kodochrome Basin, I did stop at Grosvenor Arch (formerly Butler Arch) for a few photos.

After making my way further down Cottonwood Canyon Road, I decided to take a break from driving and do a little hiking in the Cottonwood Narrows.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Continuing on, I drove along side the Cockscomb for a while and then along the Paria River before finally reaching US 89.

The Cockscomb

After passing through Big Water and then over the Glen Canyon Dam I finally reached Page. I found the Walmart and got a new cable to charge my phone. Since it was late and still very windy out, I decided it would be best for me to just spend the night in Page and head out in the morning.

Ending Odometer: 144040 | Total Miles: 251

 

[Saline]

Nice stuff as always Randy! Great shots!

 

[SWbySWesty]

awesome photos and trip report!

 

[02TahoeMD]

We need a green with envy smilie :sombrero: As ever, great pics and report.

 

[sami]

Where did you find this guy?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Where did you find this guy?

It was right along the road on the Cathedral Valley Loop between the river ford and the turnoff to the Lower South Desert Overlook.

 

[kcowyo]

We were in Escalante on the very same day, but we got in late that afternoon (10/4 & the wind was brutal that day). For future reference, the Prospector Cafe (behind the Prospector Motel on Main St) is open on Sundays and is one of our favorite eatin' joints in southern UT. Not that the food is so great, but it's open on Sundays, which counts for a lot in UT...

Nice shots from Cathedral Valley -

.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

We were in Escalante on the very same day, but we got in late that afternoon (10/4 & the wind was brutal that day). For future reference, the Prospector Cafe (behind the Prospector Motel on Main St) is open on Sundays and is one of our favorite eatin' joints in southern UT. Not that the food is so great, but it's open on Sundays, which counts for a lot in UT...

Nice shots from Cathedral Valley -

.

Cool....I'll have to eat there next time I'm in town.

Thanks!

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Day 3 | Monday, October 5, 2009 | Starting Odometer: 144040

Monday was yet another early morning. I got some breakfast for me and gas for the Jeep and then headed out of Page and back over Glen Canyon Dam. My main goal for today was to finish up at Alstrom Point to catch the sunset and to camp. Since I was already pretty close to Alstrom Point, I needed to find something to fill my fay until then. I looked at my maps and strung together a large loop that would let me finish up back near Big Water. My first destination would be Paria. On my way there I made a quick stop for a view over Lake Powell from the Wahweap Overlook.

I continued on US 89 past Big Water to reach the turnoff to the town site of Paria. Paria, or Parhrea as it was originally spelled, was originally established in 1865 and moved further upstream in 1870 because of Indian raids. Eventually the town had to be abandoned because of repeated floods. there is not much left today.

Unfortunately a few months back the BLM closed the road that followed the Paria River bed through the canyon past Paria to motorized travel, so I would not be continuing on to Cannonville this way.

I parked at the end of the road and did some hiking and exploring along the Paria River.

Tracks in the sand

Dry section of the Paria River bed

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Since I had to head back out the way I came, I took a road called the Paria Breaks Road for a change of scenery. There were a number of washouts along this route, but nothing that required me to turn back.

After reaching the highway again, I made my up the paved road through Johnson Canyon to reach the Skutumpah Road which would take me back to Cannonville again.

I had to wait for a little traffic jam to pass me by

 

[IntrepidXJ]

I took another break from driving to hike along the rim of the Bull Valley Gorge.

I soon reached Cannonville again, fueled up, and then headed back down Cottonwood Canyon Road. This time the weather was a little better so I got a few more photos from along this route.

Cottonwoods starting to change colors

Cockscomb again

Instead of following the same route back that I had taken yesterday, I consulted my maps again and found a loop that would bypass a section of the Cottonwood Canyon Road. This loop consisted of the Brigham Plains Road and the Coyote Valley Road.

The road immediately switchbacked up behind the Cockscomb up to the top of the Kaiparowits Plateau

 

[IntrepidXJ]

That dome of slickrock back there is known as Yellow Rock, and is popular with photographers

The Cockscomb below

The trail leveled out on top of the plateau and crossed it. Once the trail reached the other side, it switchbacked back down and into Coyote Valley as seen in the photo below. Much of the Coyote Valley Road followed the bottom of a sandy wash, but I was in a hurry to make it back to Alstrom point for sunset, that I did not stop for any photos this time.

Soon I was back in Big Water and heading up the Smoky Mountain Road and into the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to reach Alstrom Point. I did end up making it there before sunset, however I was not expecting it to be as windy as it was. I would not be setting up a tent this evening. I made room in the back of my Jeep so I could sleep in there, instead. There were great views of Gunsight Bay, Gunsight Butte and Navajo Mountain to name a few land features.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Shortly before sunset a foreign couple came to take some photos. He was from Italy and his wife from Cuba. They were nice and we chatted a bit before they took off on their way to the Grand Canyon.

This one got screwed up when I bumped the tripod, but I kind of like the way it looks

Another great day in the books!

Ending Odometer: 144260 | Total Miles: 220