The drive from Farmington to Monument Valley is a beautiful drive any time of the year, but the winter drive up the northern route through Bluff is truly a 150 mile joy.
The geological wonders of Southern Utah are wide ranging. This road cut leads toward a giant wash formed by a fantastic sandstone fracture that is 80 miles long and up to 1,000 feet high. It runs from above Bluff to below Monument Valley.
Comb Ridge directs the Comb Wash toward the mighty San Juan River. The San Juan is a major tributary of the Colorado and its depth relative to the surrounding geology defines the entire region. The drive along US 163 West basically follows this watercourse (where it can).
The road crosses the river at Mexican Hat - a notable rock formation with the likeness of a Navajo blanket, the Raplee Anticline, falling into the abyss in the background.
The lowest spot of the trip comes at the river itself - about 4,000 ft above sea level - much lower than the surrounding topography.
- Then up and over the 5600 ft pass to Monument Valley
- A wonderful ride - and no one else is on it this time of year!
- Then up and over the 5600 ft pass to Monument Valley
- A wonderful ride - and no one else is on it this time of year!
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