The title above suggests a complex area. It's accurate. The Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument is huge, with great variation in topography and colour. We have seen only parts ... to get real coverage you'd need to drive a tough 4x4 and be prepared to camp out. That'd be great ... but that's not us right now.
Utah Hiway #12 goes through the area and is described as one of the great scenic drives in the USA. That's probably true. We drove the Hiway and some 'off-roads', and can give you a glimpse of the area.
Utah Hiway #12 goes through the area and is described as one of the great scenic drives in the USA. That's probably true. We drove the Hiway and some 'off-roads', and can give you a glimpse of the area.
The DIXIE FOREST straddles Hiway 12. Many of the hillsides are covered with aspen, and this is the time of year to photograph aspen!
We had driven the BURR TRAIL, east from the town of Boulder, in the rain, 4 years ago. This time the weather was great and we really enjoyed the drive ... and all the stops we made too.
These photographs do not do justice to the drama of the landscape along HIWAY 12 between BOULDER and ESCALANTE. I think the issue is that the rocks and ranches are great to see but they are difficult to photograph well.
All we did was 'record', but the views were terrific.
All we did was 'record', but the views were terrific.
We took the 'Hole-in-the-Rock' road (off Hiway 12, East of Escalante) to get to the DEVIL'S GARDEN. Fifteen miles of dust on a dirt road ... but worth it! We wandered around these strange rocks for a couple of (very hot) hours, and drank lots of water.