I recently spent two weeks in Utah, travelling with a buddy who just got back from Afghanistan. I knew that two weeks was not nearly enough to experience all that this area has to offer but I hoped to scout locations for more focused future travels.
My friend drove up from Texas and we started the trip from my house in the Springs. It was a quick highway drive across Colorado.
We camped that first night on the Uncompaghre Plateau, high above the Paradox Valley of far Western Colorado. The next morning, we descended into the valley on forest roads and visited the town of Paradox.
I've driven past Paradox many times when travelling to the San Juans back when I lived in Utah, but I'd never stopped.
There's not a lot going on here. This valley boomed back in the mining days before falling uranium prices closed the mines. There's not much left except for some farm houses and center-pivot sprinklers.
After climbing out of the valley and entering Utah, we cut the corner to Monticello via the Lisbon Valley.
Lunch at the Shake Shack.
I can't say that I recommend the Shake Shack. The employees are rude and it's one of those places where they have rules for everything and there are a hundred little signs to regulate your dining experience. Also, they charge for tap water here: water refills are $0.50.
Bathroom rules. No wonder the employees are so unhappy.
After Monticello, we made a beeline for Hall's Crossing. I had originally planned to camp along the Comb Ridge but we kept encountering no trespassing signs put up by the Ute Nation. We decided to head to the lake that night; we set up camp at the Dennis the Menace park above the marina. As much as I hate to admit it, the camping was enjoyable and the morning light was great.
It was also a good opportunity to test out the new cooking gear.
We woke up early the next morning and caught the first ferry to Bullfrog.
We set out for Boulder via the Waterpocket Fold.
We had a fine night of camping.
The next morning, we had breakfast at the Hell's Backbone Grill.
I had the Jenchilada. I still dream about that flour tortilla.
After breakfast, it was back through Capitol Reef NP on our way to the Henrys.
We explored a number of roads around the southern half of the range. Not all of them panned out. The heavy rains of August and September have torn this area up badly.
My friend drove up from Texas and we started the trip from my house in the Springs. It was a quick highway drive across Colorado.
We camped that first night on the Uncompaghre Plateau, high above the Paradox Valley of far Western Colorado. The next morning, we descended into the valley on forest roads and visited the town of Paradox.
I've driven past Paradox many times when travelling to the San Juans back when I lived in Utah, but I'd never stopped.
There's not a lot going on here. This valley boomed back in the mining days before falling uranium prices closed the mines. There's not much left except for some farm houses and center-pivot sprinklers.
After climbing out of the valley and entering Utah, we cut the corner to Monticello via the Lisbon Valley.
Lunch at the Shake Shack.
I can't say that I recommend the Shake Shack. The employees are rude and it's one of those places where they have rules for everything and there are a hundred little signs to regulate your dining experience. Also, they charge for tap water here: water refills are $0.50.
Bathroom rules. No wonder the employees are so unhappy.
After Monticello, we made a beeline for Hall's Crossing. I had originally planned to camp along the Comb Ridge but we kept encountering no trespassing signs put up by the Ute Nation. We decided to head to the lake that night; we set up camp at the Dennis the Menace park above the marina. As much as I hate to admit it, the camping was enjoyable and the morning light was great.
It was also a good opportunity to test out the new cooking gear.
We woke up early the next morning and caught the first ferry to Bullfrog.
We set out for Boulder via the Waterpocket Fold.
We had a fine night of camping.
The next morning, we had breakfast at the Hell's Backbone Grill.
I had the Jenchilada. I still dream about that flour tortilla.
After breakfast, it was back through Capitol Reef NP on our way to the Henrys.
We explored a number of roads around the southern half of the range. Not all of them panned out. The heavy rains of August and September have torn this area up badly.
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