Friday, 11 October 2013

Mexican Hat, Goosenecks State Park and 3 miles of Gravel Switchback/Hairpins !!....7th Oct

A great drive out today from  Monument Valley, first stop Mexican Hat, I think it speaks for itself.....
we walked closer to it and it is amazing how that top bit stays put !
This is the route we will take tomorrow when we move up to Moab and I am now rather twitchy as several steep downhill section 8-10% !!!!! One coming down into Mexican Hat Town that has a sharp right hand bend at the bottom...ummm...
On from here to Goosenecks State Park (open as State not National Park).....
this was very difficult to photograph to get an overall view of the many bends where the San Juan River meanders through the canyons......
It is one of  the biggest meanders in the world....
Yorkieman enjoying the view from the canyon at Gooosenecks.....
Some of the colourful mountains in this area......
So far on this trip we have travelled through the most amazing scenery and almost every corner (when there are any !!) produces another fantastic view of colourful mountains, mesas, rock formations ....... 
An original wagon at Historic Bluff Fort (population380) a lovely little visitors centre
We watched a very interesting re-enactment video about the 250 young pioneers who settled this area, a story of courage and fortitude on a six month journey across some of the most inhospitable and rugged terrain......

One of the original cabins of the first settlers.....
Yorkieman on the trail at Butler Wash...a nice half mile walk to the canyon and cliff dwellings.

One of the cliff dwellings.....we realised also today after seeing deciduous trees for the first time on this trip that it is autumn !
Well what can I say, we swapped drivers, me for him, I know I'm a wimp, as we descend the 3 mile gravel switchback/hairpin road down into the Valley of The Gods.....speed limit 5MPH..

Part of the Valley of The Gods from on high.....

Yorkieman is more than capable as is our truck,  4 x 4 manual gears and he didn't even need to touch the brakes....
Fantastic view of the valley from here....
It reminds us very much of some roads in Greece in Zagoria National Park and parts of Italy too although they were tarmac roads and this is gravel....
Another great day out and yes we will go to Moab via the steep hills through Mexican Hat  at least it won't be via the gravel switchback !!

2 comments:

  1. Hi Both,
    Mexican Hat and scenery look great. What a driver that Mr Harris is negotiating the Valley of the Gods, he should be on Top Gear. Although I`m sure that you could have done equally as well Sue.
    Sunday morning here once again rain .rain, rain. I think it saves it up for Weekends. (Weekends are what we people who go to work have)
    Carry on camping.
    Cheers,
    Ann&Dave

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  2. I'm very jealous, scenery is fantastic (pictures are great Sue) and its somewhere I've always wanted to visit. I'll take the jibes about John Wayne, I know he isn't everyone's cop of tea, but Dirty Harry?? Keep the pictures coming.
    Alan & Maxine

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