Days 11-13 Utah Van Life

Day 11

We woke up to have coffee with the horses in Fruita Campground.

Our first hike of the day was to Hickman Bridge, 1.8 miles and it took was a bit over an hour. The Bridge was massive and because we went so early only one other couple was there.

Between hikes we stopped at the Petroglyph walkway to check them out. Unfortunately over time some of the rock they were etched on have fallen off and are lost/destroyed.

We went directly from here to hike the Chimney Rock Loop Trail, 3.6 miles and 2 hours. The first section was directly uphill and we almost bailed. We didn’t and kept going. This is now one of our favorite hikes we had on our trip. We were eye level with the Chimney stack and the best part of the hike was walking up close and between the towering red cliffs.

After returning to the campsite, a short nap was needed. After the nap we went to walk the Pioneer Register. This is where pioneers left their signatures on the rocks, higher than the flood zone so they would last. Sadly we did see some graffiti, but you could tell it was that.

After this it was sunset time, we tried to go to Sunset Point, but the people parking their cars, didn’t think of others and we couldn’t fit the van anywhere. We left and enjoyed dinner at the campsite.

Day 12

This was our last full day in a National Park. We woke to horses and mule deers in the campground.

It was a gray day, we only planned one hike, part of the Grand Wash through the Narrows. 3 miles and flat, the hike was more of a walk.

On our way out we stopped at the Uranium Mining openings. There was grate over the mine entrance so you could only look into the blackness.

We headed back to the campsite to start the process of cleaning up and out the van. We were entertained for a while by the mule deer.

Day 13 and 14

One last chance to have my coffee with the horses before ending our trip.

Time to go to Spanish Fork to a hotel for the last night in Utah. We really needed hot showers. Mike planned a crazy round about route to get there. The scenery was beautiful and I didn’t take any pictures. Well I took a few that explained this area was part of the Spanish Trail.

Day 14

We dropped off the van and hung out in the airport till our flight. Our flights were boarded early and both landed early, the jet stream was our friend.

This was an extraordinary trip and one I would do again.