The Burr Trail is legendary in this part of Utah. Originally built so John Burr could drive his cattle from the Aquarius Plateau (near Bryce National Park) through Boulder and on to the Glen Canyon. Nowadays, tourists ply the route staring at soaring red rock cliffs, exploring slot canyons, and savoring the views. The Burr Road is paved in many sections and in those unpaved sections: washboard gravel to shake your teeth loose. Alan's strategy: go fast enough to just skim the top of the ridges. Um.
But it was incredibly scenic. We took the opportunity to explore 2 canyons in the far reaches of Capital Reef National Park: Headquarters Canyon and Surprise Canyon. My favorite was the Surprise Canyon: wonderful colors, a hidden geocache, and the lilting song of a canyon wren.
Then we drove up the back side of the Waterpocket Fold: the longest monocline in the US.
A long day in the car; fun in the canyons; and then -- a honking wind storm that kept us up most of the night and again coated us, the sleeping bags, and the inside of our tent in fine gritty sand. No one was in a good mood this morning and not even mixed berry pie (a quick stop at Capital Reef NP) for breakfast could raise a smile. Maybe it is just that "grain of sand in the bikini in paradise" syndrome.
On to Moab. And a shower. And a meal out.
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| Can you see the switchbacks down the ridge? |
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| Backside of the Waterpocket Fold |
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| Walking towards Surprise Canyon |
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| Lovely canyon walls |
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| End of the canyon for us! |
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| Love that purple |
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| Chocolate Layer something.... |
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