Western National Parks & More - Fall 2015

[Pmount]

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



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


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

Kodrachrome State Park spire


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


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