May 19-28, 2013
Red Canyon Forest Service campground was, for us, a convenient camping spot to explore the surrounding area, primarily Bryce Canyon National Park. Once we'd had our fill of the Bryce area, we thought about moving to a place we'd read about, but not visited: Kodachrome Basin State Park. It was only 30 miles away, so we decided to drive over and check it out. It's about 10 miles off the main highway on a road that becomes a dirt road after the Park, so casual traffic is a rarity. As we approached the Park, we wondered why a state park would have been established all the way out here when it seemed like the scenery, though lovely, was similar to what we had driven through.
That was until we actually entered the Park. Stunning! We were not prepared for the grandeur. The campground itself was nestled in a bowl surrounded on three sides by high ridges, and sprinkled throughout the Park were 67 bizarre-shaped, monolithic, red sandstone spires. Unfortunately, the campground was full, and that forced us to do something unusual for us: make a reservation! It seemed the only way for us to experience camping at Kodachrome, and after what we'd seen, we were determined not to miss it. However, there was only one site available and only for two nights. Not long, but we felt we had to experience living there, even for one or two nights. When we arrived, we discovered that there were also 3
non-reservable sites--and it just so happened that one was free on the our 2nd day there, so we quickly moved over and paid our money. Paid one day at a time, and ended up staying about 10 days.
As you can see below, we camped at the base of a 150 ft. erect penis-shaped spire, with attached testicles. Our trailer was about 100 ft away. Such a bizarre landscape! It felt like another planet.
Please click on any image to see it full size
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Leah reading under the penis rock at our campsite
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A closer look: Ron Jeremy eat your heart out!
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Above and below: our campsite, a wide spot in the campground road--but nice nonetheless
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We hiked several of the trails--all of which were short: 6 miles or under--and Leah seemed able to handle the hiking fairly well, in spite of her occasional dizziness. However, in some places, she steadied herself by holding onto me as we negotiated a knife-edge with huge drop-offs on either side. Otherwise, she was fine.
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Angel's Palace hike. Tiny people just right of center (on road) indicate scale
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Must have been something I said...
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Angel's Palace hike
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Taking a break on Angel's Palace trail
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Grand Parade Trail (I think)
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During our 10 days at the Park, we explored not only Kodachrome, but also Willis Creek (a semi-slot canyon), as well as the towns of Escalante and Boulder. Here are some photos from Willis Creek:
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Willis Creek
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Willis Creek
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Leah was patient with me--even took a photo while she waited. Willis Creek
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Willis Creek
Hiking the Panorama Trail
Did this hike from about 5PM to 9PM, and saw no other people. Did see one or two other living things, though.
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Along the Panorama Trail
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Highway 12 to Boulder, Utah
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Hell's Backbone Grill
About 7 years ago, my friend Jeff and I had a memorable meal at a restaurant in Boulder, Utah called Hell's Backbone Grill, so I wanted Leah and I to eat there. Seventy miles is a long way to go to have a late breakfast, but the drive along Hwy 12 was another one of the most scenic we've ever driven. See photos above.
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Hell's Backbone Grill. Garden of fresh herbs.
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Good company... and good coffee, too.
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Although the dining experience, service, and quality of food were first rate, the taste of the food was just OK. Perhaps we ordered the wrong thing. Reservations were needed most of the time, so clearly the place was quite popular. I'd try it again, and order something else.
Burr Trail Grill
About 200 yards down the road is the Burr Trail Grill. We tried it a few days later--and the food was fabulous! Delicious burgers and meat-based items, along with "the best potatoes I've ever eaten" (Leah) made it one of the culinary highlights of our trip. And the pies were nothing to sneeze at, either. Highly recommended!
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| Didn't think to take a picture until after I'd tasted this fabulous burger and potatoes. |
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I had the peach pie; it was delicious, as well.
Next Post: Utah Lakes State Park, Provo, Utah; Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Utah
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