6. Utah - Around the Uinta Mountain Range

Day 14: Saturday, August 3

Previous visits to Utah had explored some of the scenic parks south of I-70 (journals 1999-3 and 2000-4). This time around I also wanted to include a bit of northern Utah. At 10:00 AM headed north on US 6 and US 191. The sun was out, the morning temperature was a comfortable 69F (up from 64F during the night,) and the scenery quickly changed from dull to attractive as I passed by Price and was on the Nine Mile Canyon Road and the Indian Canyon Scenic Byway through the Ashley National Forest (US 191.) A road worth taking.

Took US 40/191 East from Duchesne to Vernal (Wal-Mart Supercenter, major restocking of the van) and continued on US 191. This involved a very scenic and steep climb over more than ten switchbacks and 10% grades as the road goes through the Ashley National Forest and crosses the eastern boundaries of the Uinta Mountains. This rugged mountain range includes Kings Peak, with an elevation of 13,525 the tallest mountain in the range. Another interesting tidbit of information: The Uinta Moutains are one of only three mountain ranges on the North American continent that run east/west rather than north/south. With a length of 150 miles, it is the largest.

Turned left at Greendale Junction on to SR 44, which loops down to the Flaming Gorge reservoir. As you can see, the reservoir is pretty empty.

Took SR 43 for a few miles to get to the Lucerne Valley Marina, a NFS facility and campground operated by the Flaming Gorge Corp. $6.50 and my Golden Access card got me a very nice site with an unobstructed view of the lake. Picnic table is provided, but grilling and campfires are not allowed.

Was on the road for 6 1/2 hours and drove 250 miles. Temperatures ranged from64F at night to the low nineties during the day to 68F after sunset.

Day 15: Sunday, August 4

Did not sleep well at all. Mostly nightmares about cars rolling down mountainsides. Perhaps I have been doing too much mountain driving, or may be the altitude of 6,200' didn't agree with me. Woke up around 3 AM and just couldn't get back to sleep. Finally gave up, fixed a very leisurely breakfast, and hit the road at 9:00 AM.

SR 43 took me to Wyoming SR 414 and I-80. Not a particularly scenic road, but the only way to get to the western edge of the Uinta Mountains without driving dirt roads. Left the interstate at Evanston and headed south on US 150 to the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. A beautiful road, best experienced driving north to south. The Uinta mountains soon come into view.

The road snakes through lovely pine forests and along the way there are great views of Kletting Peak (12,000')

and Bald Mountain (left) and Reid's Peak (right)

The road climbs up between the two peaks

and then drops down again to afford a lovely look over mountains and lakes

This wonderfully scenic route ends at Kamas. Continued on SR 248 (a pretty loop around the Jordanelle reservoir) to SR 32 and US 40. Shortly after Heber City picked up US 189 to drive through the Provo Canyon to Provo, a very attractive university town stretched out along the Wasatch Mountain Range.

Just west of town is Utah Lake and Utah Lake State Park, my destination for the day. $15 got me a site with sheltered picnic table, water, and electricity. Unfortunately, outdoor grilling is not permitted - would have loved to charbroil a juicy steak while admiring the view.

Was on the road for 5 1/4 hours and drove 230 miles. Bought gas in Wyoming for $1.319/gal and averaged 16.8 mpg on yesterday's fill-up. Temperatures ranged from 60F last night to 65F at departure to the mid-seventies in the mountains to 95F in Provo. Altitude is 4,500'.

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