VALLEY OF THE GODS AND NATURAL BRIDGES

After we left Moab, we had 2 days to kill before we went to Durango.  We ended up going to Bluff, UT for those 2 days.  We stayed at The Cadillac Ranch in Bluff.  The park is gravel and all pull-thru sites.  There are no trees but each spot has 50 amp. and full hook-ups.  There is a bathhouse, but I wouldn’t use it even if I used them.  It is an old park and it is for sale so if you decide to come, you better check to make sure it is still open.  It is very convenient to Valley of the Gods, Natural Bridges National Monument and Monument Valley.  The town looks as if it has seen better days too.  There is no grocery store.  There is 1 lodge and I think they have a restaurant.  However, there is a café and a trading post where Mr. W bought a T-shirt and 2 of the most delicious brownies that I have had in a while.  The cost for this RV park is $29 a night including tax.  Compared to Blanding, UT, that’s a great price.  I thought it should less than that. Blanding is the closest town that is a REAL town.  I will say that as an overnight place, this is good since it is right on the highway and with pull-thru sites, you can get in and out very quickly.  That must be the word around because when we got here, there were only 4 campers here.  When we got back that evening, there were 12 out of 15 sites occupied.

After we got here and set up, we headed for Valley of the Gods.  The great couple we met, Don and Robin, had told us to be sure and go.  We dressed in case we wanted to take a short hike, but it was afternoon and it was hot, so I didn’t really plan on doing any big time hiking.

We got to Valley of the Gods and of course there is beautiful, unusual scenery and formations all around you.  The 17 mile loop through the Valley of the Gods is a graded gravel and clay surface road that has a few sharp turns, and crosses several washes.   

In order to get out of the Valley of the Gods, you have to climb WAY out of the canyon.  I'm talking 1200 feet from the valley floor to the mesa top at an 11% grade. The road you travel is dirt and graded gravel and there are no side railings.  This part of the road is called the Moki Dugway.  They describe it as a thrilling ride with breathtaking panoramic views.  I would have to say that is a good way to describe it.  Now, I have overcome my fear of heights when it comes to walking or hiking.  I have not overcome my fear of heights when it comes to riding in an automobile.  Especially riding in an automobile with someone who wants to look instead of drive.  My feet and hands are tingling just talking about it. So, this part may have been thrilling but not enjoyable for me.  However, there were some beautiful sights when we reached the top.

Once you reach the top, there is a highway that will take you to Natural Bridges National Monument.  So, we headed on our way.  In 1883, prospector Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon from his base camp along the Colorado River.  In search of gold, he found instead three magnificent bridges water had sculpted from stone.  In 1904, National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges.  In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Natural Bridges National Monument, creating Utah’s first National Park System area.

Natural bridges are formed by the erosive action of moving water.  Arches are formed by other erosional forces – mainly frost action and seeping moisture – that also enlarge natural bridges once stream erosion forms them.

We stopped at the Visitor’s Center and got a map.  The ranger told us that there are viewpoints for each of the bridges as well as trailheads.  The loop to see all 3 bridges is about 8 miles around.  He told us if we wanted to stretch our legs a bit, we could hike down to the 3^rd and smallest bridge.  The hike is only ½ mile roundtrip and an elevation change of about 200 feet.  Sounded like a plan to us.

The bridges have had 3 different names but the General Land Office finally affixed the Hopi names Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo to the bridges.  The first stop was at Sipapu bridge.  This bridge is 220 ft. high, has a span of 268 ft., is 31 ft. wide, and is 53 ft. thick.

 

After we walked to the viewpoint and took pictures, Mr. W decided that he wanted to walk the trail to the bridge.  I gave him my camera and told him to have at it.  Folks, it was stinking hot! I waited in the truck for him.  When he returned, he had walked through some interesting trails.  He had to climb down/up a couple of ladders, walk under some rock overhangs, and have a pretty good elevation change.  He was breathing hard enough to not be able to talk much when he got back up.  He told me that he was glad I didn’t go.  So was I.

 

Next was Kachina bridge.  Kachina is 210 ft. high, has a span of 204 ft., is 44 ft. wide, and 93 ft. thick.  Kachina is hard to see because the water runs through it still so there is a lot of vegetation growing under it.

Can you see the bridge?  The arch part of the bridge is behind the tree.

Last was Owachomo bridge. It is 106 ft. high, has a span of 180 ft., is 27 ft. wide, and 9 ft. thick.  We grabbed our water, hats, and my walking stick and started down the trail.  It wasn’t a bad trail.  It had some steps made into the rocks and some dirt and gravel parts.  When you get to the bridge, you realize how giant-sized these things are.  One nice thing was there was a lot of shade and places to sit when you reached the bridge.  Also, there was a great breeze blowing that felt cool and wonderful.  It was really a nice place to hang out for a little while.

See the bridge?  This is from the viewpoint.

Hanging out under the bridge enjoying the shade.

On our way back up.

After seeing the bridges, it was time to head back.  It was going to be a 1 1/2 hour drive back and I was ready for dinner.  Where's a McDonald's when you need one? :)

On the drive back