Spring 2009 Utah Adventure – Day 4
Last night we had no problems with the new tent. There were a few big gusts and the tent just shook. We had rain on and off for much of the night but awoke to a cold clear morning. The sliver of the moon was setting as the sun started to rise. It was about 40 degrees when we got up. Warm compared to the other days.
With the wind blowing it seemed to take forever for the tea water to get hot. I am going to have to look into a new stove when we get home.
The day turned out to be wonderful with a cool breeze, it was good day for our adventure to Hole-in-the-Rock.
The drive to hole in the rock was EASY. It is a high clearance 4WD round and there is one short section that stock SUVs would need to be a little careful on. A few miles from the end we reentered Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
LJ and I hiked down Hole-in-the-Rock. It is hard to believe that the Mormons lowered wagons down this slot. There are places where you can see the steps that they cut into the rock.
At the bottom the lake shines an emerald color, absent all the sediment that the Colorado River carries down. It must be the world’s largest settling pond.
On the return drive to camp we took the road up to 50 mile bench. The view of grand staircase and glen canyon is great. All the canyons in the red rock are really visible from above.
After returning to camp we tuned in NOAA Weather Radio. Mother Nature is on our side. The weather through Wednesday is now going to be cool and windy but no moisture.
We got back to camp about 4:30 p.m.. LJ and I went to the top of one of Sooner Rocks. The winds were so strong that she had to hold on tightly to me.
We had chicken soft tacos for dinner then to bed to be ready to break camp in the morning.
Tomas,
Thanks for posting your trip reports! My husband and I just returned from our adventure in Southern Utah including an overnight trip down Hole-in-the-Rock road. In doing research for our trip, I searched “FJ Cruiser” and “Hole-in-the-Rock” to see how our stock TRD FJ would fare in this area and found your site. It was just what I was looking for and more. We look forward to following your future travel adventures, mods, reports, etc.
Question: Did you drive the entire Fifty Mile Bench Road? How was it? My husband was intrigued by this road. We did not have the time to check it out but are already researching for our next trip!
I am so happy that you found the information helpful. We did not drive the whole length of 50 Mile Bench due to time limitations. A stock FJ would do fine on the section that we covered. It is graded by a rancher.
We just did the 50 Mile bench road and it was in good shape. I was amazed at the size of some of the pinyon trees up there. The road affords a birds eye view of the area that is nice.
where does the road to 50 mile bench start(on hole in the rock road?)…and how far out can you drive…to the point of 50 mile bench?
thanks,
I now have the map added to the post. We did not drive the entire road but it covers lots of the bench.
Is there a way to get out to the highest point of fifty mile bench closest to the lake?