Bogley

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1177 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Abby and I are hoping to travel to Utah starting Saturday, an anniversary tradition for us, and I would love to hear a few recommendations. The issue at hand is that Abby is still struggling with rheumatoid arthritis, and has just begun a course of treatment with a rheumatologist. We are hopeful about the results, but for this trip, anyway, she will be somewhat limited in her ability. She and I would both love for her to return to Delicate Arch (where we got married), but that trail should be considered the absolute limit for her endurance.

So, what kind of cool, short trails, overlooks, drives, etc., do you think she could do? I think I will take her through Capital Reef, up the Mokee Dugway (for sentimental reasons), out to the Anticline Overlook, and maybe to Goblin Valley.

We haven't decided where we are staying exactly, but we are pondering Bluff or Monticello. We may or may not have two chihuahuas with us - still mulling that, too.

Thanks in advance.

-Richard :nod:

JamisJockey · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 1023 Location: Woodbridge, VA

If you're coming up this way (No. Utah) at all I'd recommend Bridal Veil Falls and the drive up and over the Alpine loop.

goofball · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 7:57 am Post subject:

monticello doesn't even compare to bluff. but then i am just a little predjudiced in my opinion. the red rock of the desert is all around you. sand island has nice petroglyphs, and river house is an awesome site which you can drive right up to. sounds like any hikes on comb ridge are out as they require crossing the mess that is butler wash and have some bush whacking beyond that. valley of the gods is ok of course for a drive thru. muley point is gorgeous and you can wander the rim as you desire. thats all i got for short and easy. good luck and have fun.

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4058 Location: Hotel California

A few suggestions...

--> Have you guys been to Natural Bridges yet?

--> There is a road leading due west out of Monticello towards the Abajo Mtns. I believe it's called "Hart's Draw Road,"and it skirts the north side of the Abajos, winds around, and eventually spits you out on SR-211, just a few miles east of Newpaper Rock on the way to Canyonlands Nat'l Park. From there, you can visit Newspaper Rock, and then return to Monticello via Hwy 191, to complete the loop. This loop drive is very scenic and beautiful, because you get a bird's eye view of Canyonlands from the Abajo Mtns. WATCH OUT FOR DEER ON THIS ROAD!!! Every time we drive this loop, we see a minimum of 30 deer!!! They are everywhere here!!

On the way back to Monticello, stop in for dinner at the Line Camp Restaurant on the extreme north end of town. They have very good food, in a very "unique" setting. You'll swear you're eating in a Western movie studio. The Line Camp is kinda tough to find. It's tucked back in away from Hwy 191, and there is a small yellow marquee on Hwy 191 advertising it's presence.

More here: http://www.go-utah.com/Line-Camp-Steak-House/

While in Monticello, the best food is probably the Lamplight Restaurant on Hwy 491. It's more of a family restaurant, but I'm well acquainted with the head chef there, and the food is outstanding.

This should get you started...

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1177 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Thanks everybody for these great ideas.

>>river house is an awesome site which you can drive right up to.

-I don't know this site. How do we get there?

>>valley of the gods is ok of course for a drive thru.

-We were thinking about ponying up the dough and taking a Monument Valley tour.

>>muley point is gorgeous and you can wander the rim as you desire. thats all i got for short and easy. good luck and have fun.

-Thanks for reminding me about Muley - it's a definite possibility
_________________

--> Have you guys been to Natural Bridges yet?

-Did NBNM three years ago on our first vacation together, and had a great time. http://richardbarron.net/highroad/10sipapu/ also see... http://richardbarron.net/highroad/16movie/

--> There is a road leading due west out of Monticello towards the Abajo Mtns. I believe it's called "Hart's Draw Road,"and it skirts the north side of the Abajos, winds around, and eventually spits you out on SR-211, just a few miles east of Newspaper Rock on the way to Canyonlands Nat'l Park. From there, you can visit Newspaper Rock, and then return to Monticello via Hwy 191, to complete the loop. This loop drive is very scenic and beautiful, because you get a bird's eye view of Canyonlands from the Abajo Mtns. WATCH OUT FOR DEER ON THIS ROAD!!! Every time we drive this loop, we see a minimum of 30 deer!!! They are everywhere here!!

-I never took this road, but I know both ends of it. If we go as far as Newspaper Rock, we would have to see at least something in Canyonlands.

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2552 Location: SLC, UT

I would recommend Gemini Bridges and Crystal Geyser, you can google both of those. They are accessible in 2WD vehicles and both are awesome for photography.

Some of these pics are from the Gemini Bridges: http://uutah.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3764

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1177 Location: Byng, OK, USA

Kazak wrote: I would recommend Gemini Bridges and Crystal Geyser, you can google both of those. They are accessible in 2WD vehicles and both are awesome for photography.

Does anyone know how the recent weather affected these roads? -R

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4058 Location: Hotel California

I'm guessing if the road to Gemini was washed out, the parks people have been up there to repair it. It's a pretty popular attraction.

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1177 Location: Byng, OK, USA

I am at work right now, so I can't look at my maps, so... am I remembering right that Gemini Bridges is located north of Moab, kinda west of Arches?

rockgremlin · Joined: 09 Dec 2004 Posts: 4058 Location: Hotel California

Dead Horse Point is a good stop too.

Richard Barron · Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 1177 Location: Byng, OK, USA

rockgremlin wrote: Dead Horse Point is a good stop too.

My wife loves animals too much. I'm not sure I could get her to a place named like that. She'd be even less happy to learn how it got its name. :sad:

Cirrus2000 · Joined: 26 Mar 2006 Posts: 1341

Richard Barron wrote: I am at work right now, so I can't look at my maps, so... am I remembering right that Gemini Bridges is located north of Moab, kinda west of Arches?

Yes - to get there with 2WD, you head 7 miles north from Moab, and turn west on 313, as if heading toward Dead Horse Point and Island in the Sky. After about 12 miles, turn left (east) onto the Gemini Bridges road. From there it's about 6 miles down to the bridges. Beautiful spot.

Udink · Joined: 20 Jul 2005 Posts: 865 Location: Price, Utah

Richard Barron wrote: Does anyone know how the recent weather affected these roads? -R
The road to Crystal Geyser should be good. I've driven my Taurus out there without problems in dry weather, but it's such a well-graded and -gravelled road that the rain shouldn't have affected it much. There are also a lot of culverts under the road, hopefully they were able to handle all the runoff.

Alex · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 2552 Location: SLC, UT

The turn off to the Gemini Bridges is here: http://tinyurl.com/ybl6cd Right before the turn off to the Dead Horse Point. Since the road to the Bridges is located on top of the bluff, I doubt it would have had that much run off. And like rockgremlin mentioned, it's a very popular mountain biking road for tourists and the park workers would jump on it asap.

You wouldn't be able to make it RIGHT to the bridges in the car, it's a short hike (about 200-300 feet) from the first absticle. The road is well marked and it's hard to get lost.

Iceaxe · Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 7793 Location: Local Bordello

here are a couple of ideas....

Dinosaur Tracks
http://climb-utah.com/Moab/moabdino.htm

Potash Petroglyphs & Dinosaur Tracks
http://climb-utah.com/Moab/potash.htm

Sego Canyon - Ghost Town & Petroglyphs
http://climb-utah.com/Moab/sego.htm

You might also want to consider 9 Mile Canyon

Nine Mile Canyon - Rock Art & Ruins
http://climb-utah.com/Misc/ninemile.htm

This place is incredable and 90% of the stuff can be viewed standing next to your vehicle. I would easily put Nine Mile on any must see top ten list.

:rockon:

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