Day: July 25, 2020

Progress: Boulder to Bryce Canyon National Park

Mileage: 210

Scenic drive to and in Bryce Canyon, with a few short hikes around the lookouts over amazing rock formations called hoodoos

Progress: Capitol Reef to Boulder, UT

Mileage: 60

Quick detour over Boulder Mountain on Scenic Byway UT-12 to Boulder, a remote town near Escalante Wilderness and one of the last areas surveyed in the continental US

Stayed at the lovely Boulder Mountain Lodge with an exceptional restaurant called Hell’s Backbone Grill

Progress: Moab to Capitol Reef National Park

Mileage: 190

Much cooler at the higher elevation around Capitol Reef, although mountain storms came in off and on.

Stunning vistas here, where the main feature is a massive monocline. I did some hiking in the gorges, the scenic drive, a couple ranger presentations and camped near old Mormon orchards that are still maintained

Progress: Moab

Mileage: 40

Hiked and drove Arches National Park, just north of Moab. Hot desert but with remarkable sandstone arches and bridges

Far view of Utah’s symbol: Delicate Arch

Progress: Moab

Mileage: 80

Visited Canyonlands National Park (40 minutes from Moab) for scenic driving and hiking to the Upheaveal Dome

Stayed the night at a nice campground south of town, part of the KOA chain