While we were still camping at Monument Valley, we took a day trip to Natural Bridges National Monument. Sometimes the journey is just as interesting as the destination. We had heard stories from other RVers about a section of road called the Mokie Dugway, so we had deliberately avoided traveling through there in our RV. However, our campground hosts convinced us that in our car it would be fine. They drove it all the time. So we decided to go for it. I'll just say, it's not for the faint of heart!
The Mokie Dugway is a 3-mile stretch of steep (10%), unpaved switchbacks, with not much between you and the edge! And, of course, there had to be a work crew on the road that day!
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| The switchbacks |
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| View from the top |
We made it, and I didn't even have to hide under the seat, but we decided that we'd find a different way back. Much scarier going down than up. There is no way I would attempt this in an RV--up or down!
Another interesting sight along the way were The Bear's Ears. We've been hearing a lot about this National Monument in the news lately because of the possibility of the protected area being reduced. I can tell you that the surrounding area is beautiful and it would be sad to see it be destroyed.
Natural Bridges was Utah's first National Monument. When we arrived at the park, we stopped at the Visitors Center to get maps of the trails to the bridges. There is a 7-mile loop road around the park with pull-offs at designated trailheads for the three bridges. We had time to hike to two of them.
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| A short, easy hike to Owachomo Bridge |
The hike to Sipapu Bridge was a little more challenging. Here are a few photos along the trail.
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| A few ladders, too! |
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| The trail is on the right along the wall. |
Sipapu Bridge is the second largest natural bridge in the USA, second only to Rainbow Bridge in Glen Canyon.
We took the long way back to Monument Valley. (No Mokie Dugway this time!) We stopped for dinner in the tiny town of Mexican Hat, named for the formation in the hills just outside of town.
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| Mexican Hat in evening light |
The restaurant we chose was called Swinging Steak. We found out why when we saw the chef/owner at his grill. Yes, it swings back and forth like a porch swing as he grills. It was a fun way to end a great day.
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| The swinging grill |
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| The chef at work |
The Mokie Dugway is a 3-mile stretch of steep (10%), unpaved switchbacks, with not much between you and the edge! And, of course, there had to be a work crew on the road that day!
Another interesting sight along the way were The Bear's Ears. We've been hearing a lot about this National Monument in the news lately because of the possibility of the protected area being reduced. I can tell you that the surrounding area is beautiful and it would be sad to see it be destroyed.
Natural Bridges was Utah's first National Monument. When we arrived at the park, we stopped at the Visitors Center to get maps of the trails to the bridges. There is a 7-mile loop road around the park with pull-offs at designated trailheads for the three bridges. We had time to hike to two of them.
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