A Scenic Drive From Bryce to Goblin Valley - UT

Hanksville, Utah
Goblin Valley State Park


Last night we decided to eat out so we could close up most of the trailer and be ready to leave in the morning.  The wind was insane and blowing the snow sideways.  It was nice to have a hot cup of coffee to warm up.  We'll be glad to leave this bone chilling cold.

 The next morning the sun was up and the roads were fairly dry.  We dumped tanks and were off.

The drive was mostly open plains with the snow covered mountains in the background.  Many old, abandoned barns and homes dotted the landscape.  It always makes me wonder who lived there?

 It wasn't supposed to snow, but it did.  Not bad though.  We've driven through light snow before.

 

This was the busy hub of this tiny town.

Mostly the snow stayed at the very upper elevation.

 Just one pass to go over.

Near the top was one of the most well kept Rest Area's we've seen.  It was tiny, but the bathrooms were heated, the lawn was mowed and everything was pristine.  What we've come to see in the small towns we've driven through is that they seem to be mostly Mormon.  Very well kept and clean.  No trash, graffiti etc.

Now that we're on the other side, it is more desert-y.  Capitol Reef National Park comes into view and you actually drive through the boundary.  We've been before but we'll be coming back with the gang after Goblin Valley.

The scenery driving on 24 is gorgeous here.  By the way, this is the way to go, NOT the southern route through Escalante.  The grades are crazy!  Not a place for big rigs.  We're glad Lee & Trace checked it out the other day.

As we passed one of the many pick-your-own orchards in the park we can see some bright pink blossoms coming out.  A good sign it's warming up!

The walls of the canyons you drive through shoot straight up.  Reds, pinks, yellows, every color in the rainbow!

 It's amazing how drastically things change as you drive around each bend in the road.

 So interesting to see these gray ramparts jutting out of the yellow cliffs.

 Every now and then things open up and there are fields and farming along the river.

 Long Horned Steer.

 Now things are starting to resemble more of what I remember Goblin Valley looking like.

 One more ominous storm approaching but it passes by us.

 And after fours hours on the road, here we are here.

Things have really improved since we were here 20 years ago.  This is one of our kids favorite places and they have very good memories of being here.  Back then it was just pull outs in the sand with tables.  Now they have very nice, long paved sites with tent areas, shaded and protected gazebos over the tables, firepits, dump and water.  Like other parks, even though it's small here (maybe 20 sites?) they have added some yurts.  There is also a Frisbee golf course.  The shower house/bathrooms have been completely remodeled too.

Absolutely no cell here so Steve took a week and a half of vacation.  We have plenty of hiking to do over the next weeks with Lee & Trace and Greg & Cori.

 That is Lee and Trace's 5er and Greg and Cori's new Chinook behind them. 

The backdrop is really impressive.

The "Nook" is Greg and Cori's 4x4, fully contained, solar beast.  Much smaller than their Class A that they still have.  They took this to Mexico and find it great for getting more off road and boondocking.

Love the wrap they put on it.  It's a map and compass and is on both sides.

 

Next, Hoo Doo Heaven!