After leaving the Capitol Reef in the early afternoon, we continued west on UT24 a short way and then turned south on UT12. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, UT12 is the most spectacular road trip ever! Apparently, lots of folk agree because it has now turned in to an official scenic route travelling through the heart of the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument.

UT12 heads up to the top of Boulder Mountain as it moves south. Near the top is a great scenic overlook that provides a look east at the Capitol Reef and Waterpocket Fold. This is possibly my favourite all-time view/photo op. When I first took this route there was no overlook, but the view compelled me to stop (several times over many years) to take a picture from the side of the road.

The results from this trip are included below:

The View from Boulder Mountain. From US 12 on top of Boulder Mountain. The Capitol Reef (middle) and WaterPocket Fold (right) in the mid-distance with the Henry Mountains on the horizon.The View from Boulder Mountain . From US 12 on top of Boulder Mountain. The Capitol Reef (middle) and WaterPocket Fold (right) in the mid-distance with the Henry Mountains on the horizon.The View from Boulder Mountain. From US 12 on top of Boulder Mountain. The Capitol Reef (middle) and WaterPocket Fold (right) in the mid-distance with the Henry Mountains on the horizon.

 

Capitol Reef 2017
Escalante Grand Staircase 2017