Torry to Cottonwood Canyon

We only have appx. 164 miles to go today over some of the most scenic roads in the world so it will be a easy day

Rockhounding along Notam Road  A excelent area to explore and its on BLM land (For the most part)

Its a bit windy.  Gusts into the 50 mph range

Along Utah 24 near Fruita

Petroglyphs near Fruita

The "you pick" apple area in Fruita

Along Utah 12. The road cuts across the south eastern edge of the Aquarius Plateau.  The Aquarius Plateau
is a physiographic region within Garfield and Wayne counties in south-central Utah. The plateau, an uplift on the much larger
Colorado Plateau, is the highest in North America. It is over 900 square miles (2330 kmē) of mostly forested highland, much of which
is part of Dixie National Forest.

The plateau includes Boulder Mountain which peaks at 11328 feet at Bluebell Knoll and has over 50,000 acres (200 kmē) of rolling hilly
terrain above 11,000 feet (3350 m).

Looking north across Torry at Flat Top (El. 11,305)

Looking east at the La Sals on the other side of Moab over 120 miles away

Looking South East over Capitol Reef NP at the Henry Mountains appx. 30 miles away.  To the left of the Henrys you can make out the
Abajo Mountains appx. 90 miles away.

We then stopped at Point Lookout (El. 9,500)

Wide look of the Kaiparowits Plateau and Fifty mile Mountain (all 50 miles of it too)
At the far end is Navajo Mountain right on the Utah / Arizona line appx. 75 miles away.

Close-up of Navajo Mountain (EL. 10,388) 75 miles away on the other side of Lake Powell

This photo is one of the most amazing distance shots I have ever seen in the west.  Looking over Kaiparowits Plateau (already at 40 miles)
you can see the Kaibab Plateau (The North Rim of the Grand Canyon) located 100-120 miles away.  I will be standing at Point Imperial
(EL. 8,803) tomorrow looking back at  Aquarius Plateau.

Looking across the area we are about to drive

Sign at the lookout:  As clear as the eye can see   Did you know that the entire state of Connecticut , or the European
country of Luxembourg can fit in the space before you ?  Notice the amount of space that remains.

Looking west towards Powell Point

Welcome to Grand Staircase Escalante, NM

On a clear day you can see forever  Henry Mountains in the distance

Navajo Mountain (EL. 10,388)

South East of Escalante, Utah we headed down Hole in the rock Road 

We stopped at Devils Garden

A look at Powell Point (EL. 10,188) This was used as a landmark survey point in 1869-1872

Looking West towards Bryce Canyon National Park