Sunday, September 27, 2015

Henry Mountain Adventure

I'm convinced Utah has the most diverse and beautiful landscape in the country. Driving along Scenic Byway 12 is an extraordinary experience, a journey like no other. Kent and I took in the sights as we headed to Boulder, from here we drove the Burr Trail Road on our way to the Henry Mountains. We hiked to the top of Mt. Ellen and Ellen Peak to celebrate our 28th Anniversary. The Henry Mountains rise straight up out of the desert, surrounded by rugged and remote canyonlands. Bison roam free and people are scarce. We spent a morning in the Fruita District of Capitol Reef N.P., there's so much to see & do. The aspens were changing at Fish Lake making it a picture perfect day; Fall is our favorite season of the year. Hope you enjoy coming along on our journey through some of Utah's most amazing scenery.


Utah's Scenic Byway 12 traverses over and through the colorful slickrock between Escalante and Boulder

Starting point for the Escalante River Trail......a 13 mile hike along the crookedest river known

Boulder is the last town to receive mail by mule train in the US

We enjoyed lunch at the Burr Trail Grill in Boulder

We are heading out on the Burr Trail Scenic Backway

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers a huge area of diverse rock formations

Driving through Long Canyon

Colorful cliffs

Beyond the Circle Cliffs are the Henry Mountains

Strike Valley area

The Burr Trail cuts through the Waterpocket Fold

Ready or not.......here we go !

We are headed to the Notom Road Scenic Backway

Looking back at the Burr Trail Switchbacks

Heading north on Notom-Bullfrog Road towards the Sandy Ranch turnoff that will lead us to the Henry Mountains

McMillan Spring is where we are headed

The Henry Mountains were the last mountain range in the lower 48 to be mapped and named

To pay or not to pay ??  How much was up to us......this is the first time we have ever seen this

The moon was rising over the Henry Mountains

We took a little hike near the campground

Our new tent worked out well on this trip......it's a keeper

Beautiful sunset

The morning sun felt good against the chill in the air

Starting up the Bull Creek Pass Scenic Backway

The Henry Mountains come into view

This is the highest Trailhead we have ever started a hike from......we have 1,022 ft. to go to reach the top of Mt. Ellen which is the highest peak in the Henry Mountains


A quick 'before" picture......we are ready for an adventure

It's a beautiful day for a hike

That is one deep wind shelter

We are on our way.......

Looking north towards Hanksville

Today is our 28th Anniversary, we exchanged cards at the top of Mt. Ellen.....then we signed the hikers log in the mailbox

What is Kent looking at.......?

Part of the largest free roaming bison herd in the US

They were far away, but you can see those really are ......buffalo 

Kent decided we needed to hike some more....so we started towards Mt. Ellen Peak.....this required a 400 ft. drop & 400 ft. climb each way.....oh boy!

It was easier once we found the trail

On top of Mt. Ellen Peak looking back at Mt. Ellen, named in honor of the sister of John Wesley Powell

We found another log to sign at the top

Taking a short break before we head back

Savoring the views before continuing on

Time to begin the 3 mile trek back to the Trailhead

What goes down must come back up.....meaning us !

Kent was testing out his new Salomon Trail Shoes.......he gave them a Thumbs up !

We enjoyed seeing some Fall colors

Aerial view of Mt. Ellen and Ellen Peak Trail

Colorful aspens mixed in with the pines......Waterpocket Fold in the distance

We spotted these nice mule deer

This guy must have known it was Muzzleloader season, he was watching us

Interesting rock formation

Looking back towards the Henry Mountains from near Caineville, Utah

Such diverse landscape in every direction

We are in the Fruita Historic District of Capitol Reef National Park 

If you visit the park be sure to stop by the Gifford House

Yes, we did buy some of these......

and a Mixed Berry pie to go......yum!

You can eat for free in the orchards, but if you want to take fruit home there is a small fee to pay

We hope to return in the near future and spend more time exploring the Park

Capitol Reef is a unique National Park

School was taught in the Fruita Schoolhouse until 1941

A peek inside the schoolhouse

These aspens were changing from top to bottom......very interesting

A good place to end our journey.........a beautiful Fall day at Fish Lake