Utah Road Trip Part 1: Escalante

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We split the drive to Esalante into two days, in part so we could spend a night on Cedar Mesa. In this photo, The Bears Ears, from our boondock site near Natural Bridges

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Sue and Keetna, enjoying the evening air at our boondock site near Natural Bridges

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The following day, we finished the drive to Esaalante. This is our site at the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. Many of the sites here are small and on a slope, but it's a pretty park.

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After arriving in Escalante, and joining up with Roger and Susie, Dave, and Doug, our first hike was to the Lower Cream Road, and then off trail to the top of Escalante Natural Bridge. Here Dave is taking a photo of the sceneray.

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Approaching the Escalante Canyon, there is lots of slick rock to admire and photograph, which is what Susie is doing ehre.

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Roger had worked out the route, and he is carefully checking his map here. At this point, we are on a remnant of the old Cream Road, but will soon leave it.

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Sue and Keetna are heading across the slickrock

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Sue, Keetna, Doug and Roger climbing a slickrock ridge on the way to the natural bridge

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Roger is leading the group along the route

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Doug Coombs on slick rock slopes above Escalante Natural Bridge

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We crossed a small slickrock ridge to get to the drainage leading to the Natural Bridge

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Much of the route was on a sea of slickrock

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Roger is pointing the way. Did I mention the wind? It was windy!

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Nearing the canyon rim, Roger is heading towards a spot to view the Natural Bridge

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The top of Escalante Natural Bridge. The light was not great for distinguishing teh opening under the bridge, but use your imagination. You can also see trails in the river bottom far below.

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Escalante Natural Bridge from above

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A panorama of the Escalante River valley, below the Natural Bridge (bottom right)

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Keetna and Sue taking a break after reaching the Natural Bridge

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The clouds provided a wonderful play of light and shadow on the landscape

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Lunch break on our way out. It was challenging to find a spot that blocked the wind

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Another view back at the amazing rock formations we crossed