UT 12 & Kodachrome Basin State Park
Saturday, August 29
Start: Duck Creek Campground (USFS)
End: Kodachrome Basin State Park (State), near Cannonville, UT
Our campsite was well-shaded and fairly isolated, so we did not wake up until after 8:30. That is
late, even for us. While getting ready to eat breakfast, and not paying attention, a Red Squirrel
dashed up onto the picnic table and grabbed an apple I had put out for our breakfast. (Picture
posted yesterday) Not only did he grab it, he got it down on the ground and proceeded to run
up the tree with it. These squirrels are half the size of the typical Eastern Fox Squirrel. He was
so fast we did not have a chance to shoo him away. We watched as he nibbled away and finally
tucked it into a branch, high over our heads. Hopefully the apple was a healthy addition to his
diet.
Before leaving Duck Creek area, we found 2 letterboxes there and up by Navajo Lake, a short
distance up UT 14. This road continues west to Cedar Breaks National Monument, over 11,000
ft elevation and finally down to Cedar City, along I-15. It is a spectacular drive! Today we headed
back east to US 89. We did stopped at the Duck Creek Visitor Center (USFS) for their bonus
stamps and to ask about hummingbirds. We had not gotten any hummingbirds at our feeder in
camp, which seemed unusual. The staff told us the Broad-tailed Hummingbirds had
disappeared over two weeks ago, a mystery to them, as well.
We continued north on US 89 to the intersection of UT 12, heading into Red Canyon Visitor Center and Bryce Canyon National Park, by lunch time. We didn't spend much time in either of
these, as we have explored them extensively in the past. Both are worth a longer visit.
Red Canyon Scenic Area - UT 12
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image6.jpeg
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image7.jpeg
We continued along UT 12, eventually coming to Cannonville and deciding to go out to
Kodachrome Basin State Park. Besides having a smashed penny machine at the park office, we had
decided to camp here. This was our first visit to this park. It was a bit warm, but we chose a
campsite in their new primitive camping area ($16) and with shade.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image8.jpeg
About eleven miles south, on Cottonwood Canyon Road, on a dirt road running through the
middle of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (BLM), is Grosvenor Arch. This is
a spectacular double arch, named after the founder of the National Geographic Society. We
were told the road should be passable, the last significant rain was over 2 days ago. Only one
crossing was a bit slick and rough for our cargo van. Definitely worth the drive, but always check
road conditions with the monument or state park staff before driving out there. We understand
the tow out can run over $700.
Grosvenor Arch
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...um/image9.jpeg
Kodrachrome State Park spire
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image10.jpeg
A quiet evening in camp, only one other camper in the this 10 unit campground. The regular
campground has showers and some sites with full hook ups. The sunset was stunning.
Sunset
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image11.jpeg
Passport Stamps
Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce Canyon, UT
Grand Staircase-Escalante NM - Cannonville, UT
Bonus Stamps
Red Canyon - date - Dixie National Forest
Dixie National Forest
Kodachrome Basin - date - Utah State Parks
Wildlife Sightings
Mule deer
Chipmunk
Bat
Red Squirrel
Mountain Chickadee
Western Bluebird
Common Raven
Black-billed Magpie
Osprey
Prairie Falcon
Lesser Goldfinch
Western Scrub Jay
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
UT 12 to Capitol Reef National Park
Sunday, August 30
Start: Kodachrome Basin State Park
End: Fruita Campground (NPS), Capitol Reef National Park
Note - I will be offline for a couple of days. This report will be back by the weekend.
Enjoyed a quiet night in the new, primitive campground at Kodachrome Basin State Park. On
our way out I stopped at the visitor center to receive my Junior Ranger badge. The program was inside the park newspaper and easy to complete, for all ages.
Kodachrome Basin SP - AM
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image12.jpeg
We drove back to UT 12, with our next stop in Escalante for a letterbox near an archaeological
site and then into town to the multi-agency visitor center, Escalante Interagency Visitor Center.
The sculpture out front of a Western Collared Lizard is a favorite of mine.
Western Collared Lizard Sculpture - Escalante Interagency Visitor Center
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image13.jpeg
After lunch in Escalante we continued on UT 12 to Boulder and a brief stop at the Anasazi State Park. There is an admission fee, well worth the cost and time to explore this park. The drive from there continues up a ridge, over 9,000 feet, and finally into Capitol Reef National Park. We arrived in time, around 2:30 PM, to get a campsite. Several times we have missed getting a campsite here. We went back to the visitor center to pick up the Junior Ranger booklet. From there we drove out to the petroglyph display.
Capitol Reef Petroglyphs
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image14.jpeg
On our way back to camp we stopped at a couple of the U-Pick orchards within the park. The
area surrounding the campground was a pioneer settlement and the park has maintained the
orchards. There is a store next to the campground where you can purchase fresh-baked bread,
pies and cinnamon rolls.
Peach Orchard
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image15.jpeg
Before dinner I went back to the visitor center for a ranger program. It was a great program,
outside against a spectacular backdrop. The topic was Fossils in Capitol Reef; his handouts and the specimens he passed around made the program educational and interesting. By attending the program I had completed the requirements for their Junior Ranger program.
Ranger Program
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image16.jpeg
While at the ranger program my husband walked over to the store and bought cinnamon. We had decided we wanted fried apples with our dinner - yum!
Fried Apples
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image17.jpeg
Passport Stamps
Glen Canyon NRA - Escalante, UT
Grand Staircase-Escalante NM
- Escalante, UT
- Boulder, UT
Capitol Reef National Park - Torrey, UT
Bonus Stamp
Anasazi State Park - date - Boulder, Utah
Wildlife Sightings
Mule Deer
Bat
Rock Squirrel
Ground Squirrel
Coyote (heard)
Wild Turkey
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
American Kestrel
Western Bluebird
Mountain Bluebird
Say's Phoebe
Mourning Dove
Quail (heard)
Black-chinned Hummingbird
Broad-tailed Hummingbird
North to Grand Teton National Park
Thursday, September 3
Start: BLM Point, near Fossil Buttes NM
End: Gros Ventre campground (NPS), Grand Teton NP
Our free night of camping out in the middle of nowhere worked out well. The wind died down for most of the night, picked up just before dawn. We were able to fix breakfast then head back towards the visitor center. We stopped at the picnic area and explored along the Nature Trail on the way down. Outside the visitor center is a very well done geologic timeline, it begins at the parking area and wraps around the outside of the visitor center. The spacing is to scale, identifying the history of life on earth, as well as the major geologic changes. A very nice display which puts in perspective our very minor amount of time here on Earth.
Fossil Butte NM - Nature Trail
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image26.jpeg
Geologic Timeline outside visitor center
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image28.jpeg
At the visitor center we turned in our completed Senior Ranger booklets. A GeoCorp Intern checked them over, administered the oath and gave us the very attractive patch.
Senior Ranger
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image25.jpeg
Patch
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image27.jpeg
We drove back into Kemmerer on US 30, then headed north on US 189. It was a new route for
us and very enjoyable. The drive along the Fontenelle Reservoir was scenic. We stopped for
lunch in Big Piney at a Mexican restaurant, La Cabana, it was reasonably priced and tasty.
Continuing north we joined up with US 191 for a very scenic drive into Hoback Junction and US
89. From there we passed through Jackson; stopping for groceries and at the multi-agency
visitor center on the north edge of town.
We got a camping space at Gros Ventre campground, within Grand Teton National Park for 3 nights. This weekend is Labor Day so we wanted to secure a spot for several nights. None of the campsites are reservable within Grand Teton which makes it easier to show up and stake out a site. The best part of the day was finding out that they finally have Bear Boxes in this campground, not all of the sites, but quite a few. In the past every item related to food; even stoves and water bottles had to be put back in your vehicle every night. So it was nice to be able to store everything in the Bear Box when you will be in the same site for several days. It is the little things that make my day!
Bear Box
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image29.jpeg
Bonus stamps
National Elk Refuge - date - Jackson, WY
National Elk Refuge-1912-2012 - Celebrating A Century
National Elk Refuge - Jackson, Wyoming (elk pictorial)
Elk pictorial
Wildlife Sightings
Least Chipmunk
Uinta Ground Squirrel (very plump)
Pronghorn
Bat
White-tailed Prairie Dog
American Robin
Mountain Chickadee
Great Blue Heron
Brewer's Blackbird
Cormorant
Red-tailed Hawk
Sparrow
Mountain Bluebird
Canada Geese
Mallard
White Pelican
American Crow
Northern Flicker
Jackson & National Elk Refuge
Saturday, September 5
Start & End: Gros Ventre Campground
Right after we went to sleep a strong thunderstorm with lots of lightning blew over us and
dumped a lot of rain off and on all night long. We had already planned to go into Jackson for
breakfast so the light rain in the morning didn't affect us. Others had the same idea, the few
restaurants in Jackson that serve breakfast were very busy with wait times. We found a nice
Mexican restaurant and enjoyed breakfast indoors and no crowd. The rest of the morning was
spent doing chores; laundry, gas, shopping and library. We enjoyed a tasty lunch and fresh-brewed
IPA at Snake River Brewing.
After lunch the weather had cleared, but a cold front was settling in for the next few days. We
spent the afternoon looking for some letterboxes in and around Jackson. Before leaving town
we drove out to the Miller House on National Elk Refuge Rd. It is open from 10 - 4, and free.
The house was built in 1898 by a couple from the MidWest who lived there 14 years before
selling it to the National Elk Refuge, which was established in 1912. The first floor was restored
a few years ago and volunteers are available to show you through the rooms. The view across
the 'hole' to the Teton's was beautiful.
Miller House
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image34.jpeg
View across National Elk Refuge
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image35.jpeg
We stopped by the side of the road to do some birdwatching along Flat Creek on the way back
to camp. Before turning into camp we continued past Kelly and up to the Gros Ventre Slide Geological Area. This is a geologic event that occurred in 1925. The US Forest Service has interpretive signs and a trail. The drive up to the area along the Gros Ventre River is very scenic.
Gros Ventre Slide
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image36.jpeg
Much cooler in camp, upper 50s, and predicting freezing temperature tonight. Just after dinner
a bull and cow moose came into the campground, about 3 sites away. They were very
unconcerned with the crowd taking their picture; they were busy thrashing the shrubbery for
their dinner. Very impressive! Every time we have stayed at this campground we have
encountered moose.
Moose in Gros Ventre campground
Bull moose
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image37.jpeg
Bull moose - silent bugle
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image38.jpeg
Bull & cow moose
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image39.jpeg
Budget at end of 2 weeks = $1000, or $500/week. This is below our usual $650/week budget.
Even with eating out quite a bit, the lower cost of federal campgrounds, especially with the
Golden Age pass, and not driving long distances has kept the costs lower.
Bonus stamp
Historic Miller Ranch - date - Jackson, WY
Wildlife Sightings
Moose - Bull and Cow
Mule Deer
Least Chipmunk
Trumpeter Swan
Eastern Kingbird
Brewer's Blackbird
American Robin
American Coot
Canada Geese
Mountain Bluebird
Common Raven
Cliff Swallow
Mountain Chickadee
Colter Bay (GTNP) and Continental Divide - WY
Sunday, September 6
Start: Gros Ventre Campground, Grand Teton NP
End: Colter Bay Campground (NPS), Grand Teton NP
Very cold night, woke to frost on the windows. We had planned for a cold morning by having to
only heat water for coffee, tea and instant oatmeal. We were on the road by 8:30 heading up to
Colter Bay. Even with it being Labor Day weekend it looked like we would be able to move
campgrounds in the middle of the holiday weekend. We arrived by 10 AM and were assigned a
very nice site, on an outer edge, with woods and the lake just below the site.
Teton Range - heading north
http://www.roadtripamerica.com/photo...m/image40.jpeg
First order of business was passport stamps at the visitor center, then showers. The showers at
Colter Bay are excellent. You pay in the laundromat and then enter the separate shower areas.
Why are they wonderful - not timed, lots of hot water and tall shower heads! The current cost is
$4.25. The only improvement they could make is more hooks - only a single hook - not double!
There is a bench within the changing area.
After fixing lunch we headed back put of the park along US 26 to Togwotee Pass, where the
Continental Divide trail crosses. The Continental Divide Trail is considered the hardest of all the
thru-hikes to do in the US. It stretches from The New Mexico-Mexico border up to the Montana-
Canada border and follows the ridge of the Rocky Mountains for the majority of the route. Along
this drive we found 2 letterboxes and spectacular views.
On the way back we diverted off US 26 and followed the Turpin Meadow Loop which starts out as a well-graded gravel road on the east end and becomes paved down in the meadow and heading back to US 26, closer to Moran Junction. We were hoping to see some wildlife, but nothing out except the 2 legged variety when we got down in the meadow and passed several guest ranches.
We drove back into the park and stopped at several pullouts to birdwatch. Today was sunny, but
still cool. No rain and few clouds, probably reached 60 degrees. Back at camp we continued to
birdwatch at our site.
Passport stamps
Grand Teton National Park - Colter Bay
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. - Memorial Parkway
Wildlife Sightings
Least Chipmunk
Red Squirrel
Great Blue Heron
Pine Siskin
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Swainson's Hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
Mountain Bluebird
American Robin
Common Raven
Turkey Vulture
Clark's Nutcracker
Canada Geese
