St. George Jeepers Trail Report – May 8, 2017
Spring Torrey Trip Day 1 – Burr Trail -Boulder to Water Pocket Fold
On a bright, sunny morning thirteen vehicles met at Costco in St. George to begin our always scenic four-day Torrey spring off-road outing. Led by Bud Sanders and Carol Steck, we traveled through Hurricane, Hildale, Colorado City and Kanab on our way to Ruby’s Inn at Bryce Canyon for lunch.
After lunch we proceeded on to the BLM field headquarters in Escalante where we met Phil and Joan Hayes, our trip organizers and leaders. We then drove on toward Boulder, Utah, where we would cross the scenic hogsback.
Below, views looking north and northeast from Rt. 12.
Views looking south and southwest
After a short break in Boulder, we drove on down the Burr Trail.
On the below map, the light green area is part of one of the national monuments, Grand Staircase, Escalante, currently under study and consideration in part or all for removal from national monument status. It’s a very controversial proposal and could potentially affect our off-roading interests positively and/or negatively. There have been trail closings with monument status that could potentially be reopened, but it could also open the area to exploitive nonrenewable resource extraction which could certainly impact the aesthetics of the amazing natural scenery.
View looking into Long Canyon
Vistas before starting down the Water Pocket Fold switchbacks.
Below, Joan Hayes, left, and Shellie Pollock in conversation.
Henry Mountains in the distance.
Looking back to the west at the Water Pocket Fold that we just came down.
On the Notom Road, driving toward Rt. 24 and eventually, our destination, the Broken Spur Inn in Torrey.
Henry Mountains in the distance, from the Notom Road.
Submitted by Bud Sanders
