After returning to the truck, we drove the sections of the trip we were unable to cycle, and took pictures of the scenerey. This web-page documents this final portion of the trip.
As we drove the route (in the reverse order we would have done on bicicles), we noted the difficulty, at least how difficult it appeared.
Going from Panguitch up Red Canyon would have presented no particular difficulties. However, when we started down the other side, heading for Tropic, we noted very steep grades (8%), which would have been difficult, but not impossible. The heat would have been a greater problem. The 8% grades were nearer the summit. The rest of the climb was a reasonable steepness.
There was an RV park in Cannonville, so we would have been able to camp there, as planned. Heading farther east toward Escalante, it again got very steep - especially near the summit.
Approaching the summit, going east toward Escalante
The vast wilderness west of Escalante
On reaching Escalante, there were
campgrounds, and motels (I think). We continued on to the
east. It is relatively level, but soon the bottom drops away into
the deep gorge of the Escalante River. The roads here were
extremely steep - 12% grades! Such slopes would have been walk-up
hills, and they were long. We also noted that the road shoulders
were almost non-existent.
Looking down on the Escalante River Gorge
More of the Escalante River gorge, with the highway visible
Looking down on the Escalante River Gorge
More of the Escalante River gorge, with the highway visible
After driving through the gorge, we came
to Calf Creek Recreation Area, which has a wonderful hike to Calf Creek
Falls. Having done that before (and being short on time), we
continued on. The campground here was where we planned to stay a
night, had we been able to do the planned bicycle trip.
After Calf Creek Recreation area, the road climbs out of the gorge, with very steep (12 %) grades again. As the road climbs, it becomes very narrow, dropping away in cliffs on both sides of the road. There is a view area here, and we stopped to get some pictures.
Above Calf Creek, looking south
Above Calf Creek, looking southwest
Above Calf Creek, looking west
Above Calf Creek, looking northwest
Above Calf Creek, looking northeast. The valley where Boulder lies is in the distance.
Above Calf Creek, looking southeast
After Calf Creek Recreation area, the road climbs out of the gorge, with very steep (12 %) grades again. As the road climbs, it becomes very narrow, dropping away in cliffs on both sides of the road. There is a view area here, and we stopped to get some pictures.
Above Calf Creek, looking south
Above Calf Creek, looking southwest
Above Calf Creek, looking west
Above Calf Creek, looking northwest
Above Calf Creek, looking northeast. The valley where Boulder lies is in the distance.
Above Calf Creek, looking southeast
A few miles up the road, we arrived at
the town of Boulder, where my former boss at Unisys lives, having
purchased property there right next to the national monument, built a
house there, and has retired.
Entering Boulder
Entering Boulder
We had arranged beforehand to meet with
Sergio and his wife. We telephoned him, and he came to guide us
to his house. We had a great visit, and much admired their home,
and especially the beauty of nature surrounding it.
Aere, with her former boss, Sergio, and his wife (center)
Aere & Malcolm on Sergio's back porch
Malcolm, with Sergio & his wife, looking west
Looking northwest - their cat wanted to come with us.
Aere, with her former boss, Sergio, and his wife (center)
Aere & Malcolm on Sergio's back porch
Malcolm, with Sergio & his wife, looking west
Looking northwest - their cat wanted to come with us.
After visiting, we said our goodbyes,
and continued on north of boulder, climbing the flanks of Boulder
Mountain. This part of the trip (had we been able to do the
bicycle trip we planned) would have been easy because it would have
been downhill. But getting up the other side was the clincher
that made us turn back. There was far too much vertical, and
again, there were very steep grades - 8% and 10% for some of the
climb.
Looking south from an overlook north of Boulder
Looking east from the road on Boulder Mountain
Another viewpoint looking east
Looking south from an overlook north of Boulder
Looking east from the road on Boulder Mountain
Another viewpoint looking east
While driving in this area, we passed a
bicyclist climbing the hill, doing the bicycle trip we had given up
on. We stopped and talked to him. He seemed to be from
Europe (France?), and appeared to have legs of steel. He was
towing a small trailer with his supplies. He was actually touring
the country by bicycle.
He asked how far it was to the summit, and we pointed it out to him on the hillside (miles away). We showed him the printed profiles of the trip, which was information he appreciated. He asked if there were campgrounds farther on where he could get water, and having just passed one a few miles down the road (and assuming you could get water there), said there were (noting we didn't know about the water).
We continued on, eating in Torrey (where we would have stayed the next night, had we not turned back). Then we continued our drive back home, noting several up-and-down sections where you glide down, then re-climb to the same elevation. We saw the town of Koosharem from 1,500 feet above, but it was too dark for a picture (and no place to stop).
We fortunately were alert enough (and going slowly enough) to avoid hitting some deer on the road a bit farther on.
We continued home uneventfully after that, arriving at about midnight.
Back to Main Trip Page
He asked how far it was to the summit, and we pointed it out to him on the hillside (miles away). We showed him the printed profiles of the trip, which was information he appreciated. He asked if there were campgrounds farther on where he could get water, and having just passed one a few miles down the road (and assuming you could get water there), said there were (noting we didn't know about the water).
We continued on, eating in Torrey (where we would have stayed the next night, had we not turned back). Then we continued our drive back home, noting several up-and-down sections where you glide down, then re-climb to the same elevation. We saw the town of Koosharem from 1,500 feet above, but it was too dark for a picture (and no place to stop).
We fortunately were alert enough (and going slowly enough) to avoid hitting some deer on the road a bit farther on.
We continued home uneventfully after that, arriving at about midnight.
Back to Main Trip Page