The road is scenic because it travels along the Colorado River and I assume there's a lot of huge red rock. Today, is my time to check things out. And I'm prepared, I have a list of the "things to see" along with the mile markers plus there are 2 hikes that have my interested: Fisher's Tower and the Amphitheater Loop. I'm so excited!!
I take off from the hotel around 9am, later than I should have especially with the time change but the sun is up and the temps are in the 40s.
US-128 is ron the north side of Moab so it doesn't take long to get to my right (east bound) turn. The Grandview Hiking trail is already packed but I'm just passing by.
I'm immediately driving along the Colorado River. Enjoying the big rocks and the river.
At 21 miles, I finally reach Fishers Tower Rd. I make the right turn onto a gravel road. The road is in great shape except it's a bit washboard'y. It's gonna be a long 21 miles as that's what my instructions say. I see cars ahead but perhaps that's just a campground or off-roading area. I'm uncomfortable with 21 miles on this road by myself so I turn around. But I'm confused by the 21 miles, I know I would not have wanted to hike this if I had to travel so long to get the trail head. Oh well!
Next stop is Hittle Bottom. I park and head down the boat ramp to the river.
And then I go find the Amphitheatre Trail which is right are the corner. The trail is a ~3 mile loop. The right hand side which is 1.2 miles and the left side is 1.4 miles with a hill in the middle. I start up the right hand side.
I'm heading thru the desert with lots of dry previously blooming flower. I'm heading to a large rock formations.
Along the way, there a pillars of rocks 20+ feet tall.
The trail crosses a wash several times.
The deeper into the trail I go, I find some Rabbitbrush still blooming.
Along with a single grasshopper.
I reach the large rock formation and lose the trail.
I do find a good view back towards my car.
After some searching I find the trail again heading up over a 200 rocky hill. I start up but decide I'm making it an out-n-back instead of a loop and start back.
On the return, I see one Sulphur butterfly and surprise, a Western Pygmy Blue (and it's Nov 3 - wow!)
I reach my car and grab my lunch. There's a Backroads (hiking/biking) tour group in the the covered picnic area but they look like they are wrapping things up. So I head to the far end of the picnic area, sit and start eating.
While sitting there, I see a bunch of them go up the sandy hill and start taking pictures. I also hear one of the guides say something to the effect and 'its and exciting find and hopefully we will see more this week. I have no idea what they are talking about and just sit quietly.
A bit later, I see what they were seeing, there's Bighorn Sheep on the rocks!! My camera is in my car, so I leave my lunch and head to my car. I grab the camera and then head up the big sandy hill -- surprise!
There are 4 of them. Looks like a family group - male, female and two young. The male is pretty aggressive in keeping his little group together. Cool!
I head back to the shelter to finish eating. Well, it doesn't last too long as I see the sheep running just above the water. Appears that they may be heading down for a drink! I pick up my lunch/water and head over and down the boat launch. They seem to get nervous with my approach (even though I'm on the opposite side of the water and they are 30 yards farther east of me) so I sit down and enjoy the show!! How special!
The young ones are the first ones to go to the water's edge and drink - from their knees!
The adults quickly follow.
Eventually they move slightly up the slope. Time for me to get moving again.
I continue along the highway stopping at several views along the way including a view of the new Colorado River bridge.
The original wooden bridge; the Dewey bridge is just a bit farther down the road.
Then it's across the river and onto a pull-out that has an old Indian writing on the rocks above it.
I out of the rocks and away from the river at this point; naturally the landscape is now different.
But still grazing country!
Soon I reach I-70 and head west to the Moab exit where I head south to visit Deadhorse State Park. I've never been there and want to see it's canyon views. The park sits just south of Canyonlands National Park.
First stop is the views from the Visitor's Center (and nearby nature trail).
The blue in the distance are solar evaporation ponds.
I then start walking the 1.5 mile East Canyon View trail but after a bit decide, I'll just drive to the end viewpoint.
And the view is gorgeous!
(the morning would be the best time to be here).
It's after 3, time once again to head to the hotel.
