June 1 - Torrey UT - Escalante UT

Usual time to get up (4:00 a.m. - you all know the routine by now.) Gary had a glitch, however. His watch is still on Eastern time so he got up and was puttering around at 2:00 a.m.!

Today is the start of our 2 day, 124 mile ride along Utah Scenic Byway 12. Rode out from the church, towards Hwy 12. The ground is covered with the tufts of "cotton" from the large number of cottonwood trees. Looked a bit like a frosting of snow. I enjoyed the coolness of the early morning, but soon it became less enjoyment and more work. Many of the hills were difficult so I walked my bike off and on for eight miles. Charlotte had left the van in Grover.

Soon I crossed the border into the Dixie National Forest. There was a total change to pine trees, and no red rock formations. Caught up with Gary and Charlotte who were catching their breath after riding up two miles of 8% grade. The higher in elevation we climbed, there were more aspen trees. After awhile, still climbing, Gary and Charlotte decided it was time to load their bikes as we continued towards the summit of Boulder Mountain.

This area was the last unmapped, uncharted lands in the contiguous 48 states. By 1870, all of the continental US had been mapped except this area. The Fremont expedition passed through Capitol Reef during the winter of 1853-54. They were low on provisions and did not attempt to survey. In 1872 John Wesley Powell launched his 2nd expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers to chart rivets and surrounding land. Over the next four years, his brother-in-law Almon H. Thompson led the land survey of Southern Utah during which he explored and charted Boulder Mountain and the rest of the Aquarius plateau. He mapped the Escalante River and the Henry Mountains. This was the last-mapped river and mountain range in the US. From these heights it’s possible to see 100 mile vistas in some of the wildest and most beautiful scenery in the United States.

This Hwy 12 Byway spans 4,400 ft in elevation, from 9600 ft at Boulder Mountain to 5,200 ft at the Escalante River. There are six historic communities along Hwy 12, rich in cultural history.

We stopped at the Wildcat Guard Station, a quaint log building constructed in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In the past it housed US Forest Service employees. Today it is staffed during the summer by friendly volunteers. It serves as a seasonal visitor center where information, maps, and books are available. The two ladies on duty were very helpful and sweet. The elevation there was 8640 ft.

On we forged towards the summit, on this wonderful road which is at the heart of this region. Originally it was a dirt road before it was paved. Snow and mud closed the dirt road from late November until early May. Significant stretches were paved in 1977. 1985 marked the completion making rural life easier, allowing year-round access to the outside world to these once isolated communities, making tourism a central part of local economics.

Finally we reached the summit, 9600 ft. What a panorama! We had been advised by one of the ladies at the Wildcat Guard Station that there was another slightly lower summit, and to start riding again from there.Gary and Charlotte had a fabulous downhill ride into Boulder. We ate lunch at a picnic table on the grounds of the Anasazi State Park Museum.

Boulder was long known as the "last frontier in Utah," for good reason. The high-elevation settlement was so isolated that, until 1935, mail was delivered by horseback rider. The town was named for the volcanic boulders scattered across the slopes of nearby Boulder Mountain.

I rode for awhile again. Quite a thrilling ride on "The Hogback," between Calf Creek Recreation Area and Boulder. Coming off the Hogback, there's a 14% grade. Really had to feather the brakes while descending. Towards the bottom, I spotted Charlotte and Gary, with Gary fixing a flat on his rear tire. So glad he didn't crash.

Charlotte and I were done riding for the day, but Gary wanted to get in 40 miles, so he was still riding. Once he reached that goal, we got all three bikes loadrd up and we drove the 11 miles into Escalante.

Escalante is a small town in Garfield County. It was started in 1874 by a group of settlers from Panguitch who investigated the area, meeting members of John Wesley Powell's expedition. Powell's group recommended any new community be named "Escalante" in honor of the Franciscan friar Silvestre Velez de Escalante. It is surrounded by the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

The highlight of the day was Sherri's arrival in Escalante. She drove down to Escalante from her home in Lewiston ID. She will be riding the rest of the ride now. So glad she is here!

We are staying in the basement of the home of the Pastor Dale Richards. He is a 1980 graduate of Palisade High School. The daughter Sarah prepared dinner for us - chicken carbonarra, salad, and green beans, and also gave us a little music recital,playing "Clair de Lune" for us.

Gary - 40 miles, Charlotte - 30, and me 13.4

Another late night. ..

With love from Escalante,
Marie