Here is scenery from a Hwy 12 overlook.
As soon as you turn on to the Burr Trail you see this sign. This just makes us laugh. It's 72 miles on twisty roads, some of which is not paved, and they have a variable schedule? Plus, there is zero cell phone reception at the site of this sign.
There is much red rock. The stripes are called varnish. It's from minerals collecting and running down the rock when it rains.
The red rocks at the top are the Kaibab layer. It's compressed mud and sand.
The white layers are sandstone.
The clouds were coming in a little as we drove back to Torrey.
It's a hilly drive. We were just on the road that you see in the bottom of the canyon.
It was a long driving day. We're glad we went, plus it gave our feet some rest.
If you continue south on Hwy 12 toward Calf Creek, you travel a stretch of road called the "hogsback". It's a narrow stretch of road on top of a ridge. It's pretty cool. The sides seem to fall away from the road. I'd like to see that again, maybe next time.
I live in country of many glacial moraines; ravine after ravine, hill after hill. A newcomer to my township once demanded why our roads fell into the ravines, why didn't we build them better. Sigh. I explained the farmer's had the good sense to build the roads on the ridges, rather than trying to blast new roadbeds into the sides of hills. But sometimes the ridges gave way, and you lost the road. So, you called a town meeting and figured out where more money would come from. This is a great visual of a ridge.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dramatic countryside and so expansive. Great pictures, enjoy it all.
ReplyDeleteCapitol Reef doesn't get near enough publicity. Maybe that's a good thing. It's absolutely fabulous!!!!
ReplyDeletewhat beauty this planet holds.
ReplyDeleteAlso need to add Hell's Backbone Grill to your "maybe next time." Best meal I had in Utah...
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