This road takes you up to 9,000 ft, and there is still some snow in places.
We drove without stopping, all the way to the end at Rainbow Point, and then stopped at all of the viewpoints on the return trip.
View from Yovimpa Point.
Us, at Yovimpa Point.
Ruth, enjoying the view at Rainbow Point.
Sherman gets to enjoy the view too!
Pretty bird.
Ruth, at Black Birch Canyon Viewpoint.
Agua Canyon Viewpoint.
Natural Bridge.
Scenery along the way.
Fairlyland Point.
And for the most part, we did beat the traffic. Only flaw in our plan was that many people would stop at the viewpoints on their way out, despite the fact that they're all on the opposite side of the road. Oh well...it was still better to go early.
Then, we stopped at the Mossy Cave trail. Less than a mile roundtrip, with a small waterfall, and a "cave". Turns out that it's not much of a cave, it's just an overhang where a lot of moss is growing. The waterfall is nice though.
Kevin, on the trail to Mossy Cave.
Waterfall.
Garfield County's tourism website has lots of info for the area at
Then, we drove to the town of Escalante. There's a big visitors center there, and we had to get a free permit for boondocking in this area. Pretty sure that many people don't bother with the permit since they don't advertise anywhere that you need one.
Nice spot. GPS 37.72257, -111.52754. Elevation 5,708 ft.
Even a firepit at this site.
At sundown.
Today, we're doing the 6 mile (10 km) hike to Calf Creek Falls, and then heading north to Capitol Reef National Park. No idea where we're spending the night, or if we'll have interet access for the next couple of days.
Here's our route north from Capitol Reef back to Canada over the next nine days...
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Wish we were there, amazing scenery.
ReplyDeleteWe wish you were too!
DeleteWe enjoyed Bryce last yearon enroute back to Canada...so many of our pics are similar to yours...cheers
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to enjoy the beauty at Bryce Canyon. I think everyone needs to have it on their "bucket list".
DeleteThanks for the beautiful photos of Bryce. We were there in July and there were a LOT more folks on the trails then.
ReplyDeleteBTW, check out the general store in Capitol Reef NP. They have great home made ice cream and some other good stuff (preserves, salsas, etc.)
I don't think we would have enjoyed Bryce Canyon nearly as much as we did if we had gone during peak season. We hate crowds!
DeleteWe will try to make a point of stopping in at the General Store, I like the sound of the homemade ice cream. :-)
Awesome views.
ReplyDeleteThanks George!
DeleteGood to know there are viewpoints. What a beautiful place. Thanks for the GPS coord. Nice spot!
ReplyDeleteLots of view points! The ones that are closer to the Visitors Center and the Amphitheater don't allow RV's but they have a shuttle service that will take you to any of those view points. We had seem most of them on our first day in Bryce Canyon.
DeleteMore coordinates to add to your list of boondocking spots! ;-)
One of the most beautiful parts of the USA based on your pictures.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it probably is but then we still have so much more of the US of A to explore before we can truly say that! :-)
DeletePetrified Forest in Escalante is a pretty hike.
ReplyDeleteWe will try to remember that for our next time through this area. There is just way to much to see and do and be able to do it all in one visit! We really love this area.
DeleteI think that's called a mountain bluebird which is the Nevada state bird.
ReplyDeleteThank you Chris, I thought maybe it was some type of bluebird.
DeleteDoesn't get much better than where you are parked right now. Enjoy all the beauty that area offers.
ReplyDeleteWell we have had some prettier boondocking spots than this but the whole area is amazing and there are so many options. We will certainly be back for more! :-)
DeleteLOVED Capital Reef Nat'l Park. We were there in late Sept 2008, and we'd still like to return. Lots of great hikes there. Hope you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteWe are looking forward to visiting Capitol Reef. Kevin's uncle has visited Utah many many times and Capitol Reef is his favourite, so I am sure we will love it too.
DeleteThat trip up Colorado 139 in a couple of days is really pretty, but it includes a pass that's going to give Sherman a workout (and his brakes on the other side!) Drive carefully!
ReplyDeletePretty sure that Sherman can handle it, he has been up lots of steep roads in his life with us. We actually love traveling roads like that, and we always take them slow! :-) Thanks for the advance warning.
DeleteGorgeous scenery
ReplyDeleteIt most certainly is!
DeleteIf you have a bit of extra time in Escalante, check out some of these adventures. I recommend Phipps arch, which is started just back down the road from calf creek falls. http://metamorphosisroad.blogspot.com/2014/05/wrapping-up-fantastic-week-in-escalante.html Also, like Creigh said, that CO 139 up from Fruita is gnarley. We took it south last fall and it is steep! Have fun as usual!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we don't have any extra time in Escalante this visit. We have to be back up to Canada for May 1st and we don't like to drive too much in one day. I will mark this hike down though so that if we are back in the area another time, which I am sure we will be, we can do it then. Thanks!
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