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| | | Cedar Breaks etc to Flagstaff via Page, AZ | | | |
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Cedar Breaks etc to Flagstaff via Page, AZ
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| Scenic Drive | 346.00 Miles |
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| | Scenic Drive | 346.00 Miles | | | |
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| partners | | written 1-13-2023 Sorry this got a little long. It is not only a record but a reminder of things to do next time; hopefully involving a lot more hiking.
The previous nite we drove from Layton where we had attended an Arizona Highways Photoscape since the 26th. We arrived during the dark to the Cedar Breaks Lodge, which is very nice. After breakfast, we headed out on Utah Highway 143 which has a couple different names as it's part of two different Scenic Byways. It is also the second-highest paved road in the state at 10,626 feet above sea level, barely second to SR-150 Bald Mountain Pass. Our destination would be Panguitch Lake and just as we were getting ready to make the turn we spotted hundreds of American White Pelicans flying in the air  . Well needless to say, we pulled over (W Shore Rd) and got the cameras out. We hung around for fifteen minutes or so before our necks got sore and they flew further from our sight. You can't imagine the exhilaration we felt witnessing this incredible event. (I mentioned it in a previous triplog.)
We continued our drive around the lake, passing by Aspen Cove Resort. There was lots of action in the lake with folks out boating and fishing on this brisk morning. There are wide open views to the low lying mountains dotted with fall color and bare trees from a fire. I would guess the June 2017 Brian Head Fire that torched more than 60,300 acres  — or about 94 square miles — sparked by a torch used to kill weeds. We would see evidence of this fire through some of our drive today.
We got back out on Highway 143 (Patchwork Parkway - officials named the road after the pioneers who used to lay quilts on top of the snow in order to protect their feet from the freezing cold as they traversed the area.) Very few routes in the U.S. exhibit a 4,500-foot elevation change that crosses six major life zones in 51 miles. The route skirts lava flows only a few thousand years old before passing Panguitch Lake. This topmost rise of the geological “Grand Staircase” showcases the 2,000-foot-deep Cedar Breaks amphitheater which is where we were headed next. BUT, we got sidelined and drove in a little ways to Birch Springs Knoll Road which is part of a Loop Trail https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/r ... ecid=71018. We were drawn to the tall hills of lava and the golden-leaved, white-barked aspen trees. We got the cameras out again and walked around the area.
Our goal at this point is the Cedar Breaks National Monument but wait, what's this? Sheep, lots of sheep. Well we gotta pull over and check this out. We were in Castle Valley and there were sheep on both sides of the fence so the head sheep on the wrong side was going to have an interesting dilemma as the water was on the other side of that tightly strung fence. We enjoyed watching and listening to them as they walked by. There were so many sheep and some black ones too that I had to quit counting so I wouldn't fall asleep  . We made one more stop at Ireland Lane to shoot some fall color before getting on the 2.5 mile long Utah Highway 148 Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway, part of the Utah Scenic Byways and National Forest Scenic Byway programs.
Our first stop was hiking a short amount of the Alpine Pond Loop Trail. There is a yurt-like tent set up at the TH. We talked to a couple there who said they weren't too impressed with the hike to the pond, thus we only went to where we got some peek-a-boo views into the Monument. I gather from reading that it's much prettier when the wildflowers are blooming. There are other short hikes one can do at the monument so something to consider https://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/ ... trail.html Wish we had known that ahead of time. Nonetheless, we got some nice pictures.
Chessmen Ridge, on the other hand, had stupendous views  into the 2000 foot deep Cedar Breaks Canyon and Amphitheater https://www.nps.gov/articles/nps-geodiv ... tent=large. The monument contains an erosional landscape modified by glacial and periglacial processes. It was quite windy but well worth the time to enjoy. We stopped at the Information Center before continuing on UT 148 to its southern terminus at Cedar Canyon Route 14. We had started it the evening before from I-15 as it goes 41 miles to Highway 89 at Alton and Long Valley. After stopping to catch a picture of some more fall color along the highway through Midway Valley, we came to the Navajo Lake Overlook. A prehistoric volcano eruption dammed the east end of the present day lake. Volcanic activity was once common on the plateau. The surrounding forests have sprung up from these ancient lava flows of which we observed on our drive. From the lookout you see the dark turquoise waters of this narrow lake nestled at the center of a beautiful pine and aspen valley.
Our next pullover was at the fall-color-surrounded Duck Creek Pond altho google calls it Duck Lake. We wandered around here for a short bit before finally arriving at the famous Duck Creek Village for lunch. This little village was quite crowded and our lunch wasn't that great. https://archives.stgeorgeutah.com/news/ ... 8SvQHbMIuU Initially Duck Creek became the domain of sheepherders; in fact, it was a favorite gathering place for them. The CCC played an integral role in the development of the Village. Some of the best-known movies filmed on location in Duck Creek Village include “Drums Along the Mohawk” (1939) starring Henry Fonda (its turn impersonating New York), “National Velvet” (1944) starring Elizabeth Taylor, “My Friend Flicka” (1943) and its sequel, “Thunderhead, Son of Flicka” (1945), “The Green Grass of Wyoming” (1948), and “Smoky” (1950) starring Fred MacMurray, among others. The 1960s television series “Daniel Boone” starring Fess Parker was Duck Creek’s turn impersonating Kentucky’s backwoods. I've been watching Daniel Boone since last year. Starting in the 1960s, it became a retreat for second home owners with the Movie Ranch Subdivision and has continued growing and gaining popularity since.
And now with our bellies full we headed the last few miles to Highway 89 but wait, more sheep. Yep, on both sides of the road via Ikes Valley. Once on 89 we proceeded through Long Valley and all the little towns along the way. As 89 turned east we got to enjoy the White Cliffs of the Glendale Bench. I didn't realize that not far from here is what they call the White Pocket https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/ ... ite-pocket or White Wave or Nautilus https://www.myutahparks.com/things-to-d ... te-pocket/, looks fascinating. The cloud cover dropped down by the time we got to Kanab. We fueled up and continued our journey east. We saw Mollie's Nipple (that we saw from North Rim's LeFevre Overlook a week ago) in the distance. We drove through some off and on rain and lightning before reaching The Cockscomb area where it cleared up a little.
The views were fabulous  as we got closer to the Arizona border, both near and far. The weather held the rest of the drive and while we were at Glen Canyon Dam. We did walk a little on the dam road (I have never taken the time to stop before or maybe it was too hot). It's hard to believe it's been 43 years since I first drove through Page in December 1980. We had a quick lunch in Page before continuing our journey on Highway 89 via Antelope Pass where we were treated to a distant rain storm with sun on it above Marble Canyon. It was what you would call awe-inspiring. Later the sun would light up the Echo Cliffs as we neared The Gap. And, of course, The Badlands north of Camerona are always fun to observe as well as your view of the San Francisco Peaks as you get closer to Flagstaff, the end of 89. This was my second time driving on 89 as I was last on it during our May drive to Idaho and Montana. In August, I was on the furthest northern point of 89 at Glacier National Park where it ends.
Thanks to Tracy for driving us to and from our Photo Workshop. This allowed me to film to my heart's content and I did just that. I think I got some great cinematography and we were lucky to have good light and clean windows. I highly recommend this drive and take the time to stop. It makes for a long but rewarding day; especially with good friends. Trip report in honor of our former HAZer that doesn't report anymore @Randal_Schulhauser [ Randal_Schulhauser ♢ ]
Day Five - Drive from Cedar Breaks to Flagstaff with lots of interpretive info as usual:
Part 1 - [ youtube video ] Scenic Highway 143 and Panguitch Lake
Part 2 - [ youtube video ] On our drive back we were lucky to witness the most amazing event with hundreds of White Pelicans in flight near Panguitch Lake. We weren't sure what was going on as it was quite the sight. Anyway, I did film it and we took photos too. Nothing like being in the right place at the right time. I posted this link with an earlier trip report too.
Part 3 - [ youtube video ] Cedar Breaks Monument
Part 4 - [ youtube video ] Scenic Highways 148 and 14, Navajo and Duck Lakes
Part 5 - [ youtube video ] via US Route 89 featuring Glen Canyon Dam |
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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