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| Cottonwood Canyon Road. Best done with 4WD |
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| Gorgeous scenery the entire way |
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| Some traction problems going up |
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| Great views into GSE National Monument |
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| Some more nice views |
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| Grosvenor Arch |
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| Amazing how these form |
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| Jeff and Judy striking a pose |
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| Actually a double arch |
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| Nice spot to play catch |
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| One of the most beautiful arches I've seen |
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| More of the yellow colored rocks |
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| Who let the cows out? |
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| Some more bends in the road |
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| Classic Grand Staircase scenery |
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| More great scenery |
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| This would've made a great mountain bike ride |
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| I love these colors |
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| The colors is hard to describe. Almost a grayish green. |
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| Almost not of this world |
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| A wash |
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| I have no idea where this water comes from |
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| The road going through the wash |
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| This would make for a great camping spot |
This was another introduction to the unworldly scenery that is Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument (GSENM). Like my experience from 5 years ago, I would not venture far from the road. This time, though, the road was dirt.
Kodachrome Basin State Park is surrounded by GSENM. I decided to take some time and venture out Cottonwood Canyon Road and check out a slot canyon and Grosvenor Arch. Only problem was that the slot canyon I wanted to get to, the approach is from the south. I approached from the north and since the road was washed out just south of Grosvenor, the slot canyon was out of the question. Sometimes, no matter how many times I read descriptions of trails, the important stuff does not sink in.
The drive out to Grosvenor Arch was interesting. I longed for my Rav 4, but the 2 wheel drive Ford Fusion made it up some windy hills and through a wash. I passed by some cattle. You moved for them, not the other way around. The scenery was impressive. It seemed as though the entire color spectrum was on display. Grosvenor Arch tinted yellow. Unlike anything I've really seen before. I imagine sunset here must be truly special.
While here, I got to thinking. Only 4 days into this trip and I had regrets. I regret having a jackass moment and not getting to that slot canyon. I regret not heading to Escalante and checking out the slots in that region. I regret not heading out to Hole-in-Rock Road and walking in the footsteps of the Mormons. But, I guess this should be normal. There's so much on offer in Utah, you're just bound to have regrets. I reckon, this is a good thing.
Yes,the scenery out there does seem otherworldly! Certainly something we don't see here in Dutchess Co. And,I can see where the footing would be tough to get used to.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics. Looks like a big area. Imagine it's hard to decide which places to hit with limited time. Personally, I think I would have been satisfied just getting close to that big sandpipe. You lay your hands on that sandpipe? Get to touch it?
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