Torrey UT, Utah, United States CATHEDRAL VALLEY
"Sculptured sandstone monoliths tower over sandy desert plains."
Self-Guiding Auto Tour newspaper with details about the 58-mile loop drive.
Get from visitor center.
The entrance to the valley is off Highway 24 past Capitol Reef Viewpoints.
Self-Guiding Auto Tour newspaper with details about the 58-mile loop drive.
Get from visitor center.
The entrance to the valley is off Highway 24 past Capitol Reef Viewpoints.
Interesting mountains as they changed from red.
Drove to where it's necessary to ford the Fremont River (u-tube looked not bad, depending on how high level). Just had 2 days of rain here. Decided not to ford.
Drove up the road a bit just before Caineville and entered through Lower Cathedral Valley. (Look for street sign)
Drove up the road a bit just before Caineville and entered through Lower Cathedral Valley. (Look for street sign)
Road mostly sand. Lots of washes to go through; most were dry.
(Counted them on way back--88 washes).
(Counted them on way back--88 washes).
The terrain constantly changed along this scenic drive.
Side road leading to:
Temples of Sun & Moon
Huge monoliths rising 400 feet
- (GEOLOGY: selenite is gypsum in the form of glassy crystals, also called "moonstone." Fascinating that heat could change the sand into these glass-like chunks.
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Upper Cathedral Valley
Beautiful with the 500-feet tall monoliths, spires, and large walls.
Drove up mountain a bit to get pictures. Road very rocky; came back down and drove out.
Upper Cathedral Valley
Beautiful with the 500-feet tall monoliths, spires, and large walls.
Drove up mountain a bit to get pictures. Road very rocky; came back down and drove out.
Fun, very long, tiring off-roading day.
Pretty place, but no comparison to the stunning scenery on Highway-24 and Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive.
Pretty place, but no comparison to the stunning scenery on Highway-24 and Capitol Reef's Scenic Drive.
2025-05-22