Southern Utah route info request

[JGreb]

Is this route worth taking? I'm camping off of SR-12 near Torrey. Wondering if I should plan these roads into my trip?

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[stromgal]

If you've got time, head W from your starting point and ride 14, 148, 143 etc.

[JGreb]

If you've got time, head W from your starting point and ride 14, 148, 143 etc.

Thanks, I'll check them out

[Two Shots]

Route 22 from the junction with 12 is every straight the first 30-35 miles toward Antimony - totally ranch land either side. Little to no traffic. A good place to make time if needed. The last 8 or so miles is interesting with a few intense twisties. Be mindful of that as there are no signs indicating your ultra-straight section ends abruptly - the sudden transition can be dangerous after 30+ miles of 80 mph open road.

Beware of pot holes, cattle, and light sand on the road the last 4 miles into Antimony.

Much of it 62 is very sleepy/dry/uneventful.

[JGreb]

Thanks Two Shots, exactly the info I was looking for.

[birdrunner]

Hwy 12 over Ecalante is the coolest piece of road I've ridden.

Recommended to my by a fellow XX rider from Utah who said it was his favorite piece of road.

It's not much of a detour.

[stromgal]

Hwy 12 over Ecalante is the coolest piece of road I've ridden.

Is that 'the spine', where you're atop the rock and can't see which way the road goes? If so, very cool.

[birdrunner]

Is that 'the spine', where you're atop the rock and can't see which way the road goes? If so, very cool.

think so,  

One minute you're on a spine with cliff dropping on both side, next you're in a canyon.

[Two Shots]

One of the favorite route 12 spots about 15 miles east of Escalante...



There is a dry creek bed around the last corner where the hunting for sharks teeth and fossils is quite good.

[birdrunner]

One of the favorite route 12 spots about 15 miles east of Escalante...



There is a dry creek bed around the last corner where the hunting for sharks teeth and fossils is quite good.

I HAVE to get back there.

[JGreb]

Hwy 12 over Ecalante is the coolest piece of road I've ridden.

Recommended to my by a fellow XX rider from Utah who said it was his favorite piece of road.

It's not much of a detour.

I can't wait to ride it. I'll be running through it at least twice

[Thundergod]

Ya I agree ROUTE 12!!! WOW. That triangle and leads from Tropic to Torrey down to Lake Powell on route 12 is HUNDREDS of Curves. We got caught in a wicked thunderstorm and had to take shelter at Torrey.

I asked the lady in the hotel how far it was to Tropic and she mentioned..."oh about 100miles..." "oh great so only about an hour and half..."...."oh no honey not on route 12. It'll take you close to 3 too curvy."  -- The magic words. Boy was she right, Bend after bend after bend, hairpin, large sweeper, incline sweeper, descending hairpin, large sweeper....over and over and over for 100 miles.
Everything is perfect on that road -- except for the brilliant civil engineer that decided to place smooth cattle guards in the middle of the apex - across both lanes-- on many curves...a light rain will turn those into  buttered glass.

My favorite moment is when you are literally riding a hogback on the ridge, S curves, drop off on both sides, view is amazing.


It is a spectacular road.  Capital reef is great.

Utah has some amazing landscape --(speaking as a Coloradan that is a huge compliment) -- Now if the religious culture could "relax" a bit, UTAH would be a mecca for a lot more people would move to. Staying in Tropic UT-- is like traveling back in time, you feel like you are in a twilight zone episode.

[foobert]

ooh boy, ooh boy, ohhhhh boy     I was already planning on taking 12 through Escalante, and now I'm just salivating. Gonna be toast in 2 weeks, but, I think I'll survive  


Soooo, while we are on the topic of this area, can I get a weigh in on routing from Cedar City to 12:

Ceder City -> 14 -> 89 -> 12    
  ... OR ...
Cedar City -> 14 -> 148 -> 143 -> 89 (briefly) ->12

Map link of the area in question.

Is the speed-limit ultra low through the Dixie Ntl Forest?

Thanks for all the intel!

[1KPerDay]

Utah has some amazing landscape --(speaking as a Coloradan that is a huge compliment) -- Now if the religious culture could "relax" a bit, UTAH would be a mecca for a lot more people would move to.

Well we better tighten things up a little then... we have more than enough ex-Coloradans and ex-Californians here already.

"If only X were more like Y, all the people from Y could move to X and make it just like Y. Yaaaaaay borg"

[1KPerDay]

Soooo, while we are on the topic of this area, can I get a weigh in on routing from Cedar City to 12:

Ceder City -> 14 -> 89 -> 12    
  ... OR ...
Cedar City -> 14 -> 148 -> 143 -> 89 (briefly) ->12

The second one.

[jamesgino]

The second one.

I would agree. 14 is awesome all the way across, but once you hit 89 things get boring. Stay on the side roads if you have the time. Oh and if you do have a chance to stop in Brian Head you might want to eat at the Bump & Grind. Strange name, but really good food.

[foobert]

Thanks James and 1K for nod toward the more interesting route.  I figured that was the case, but, one never knows ...

As to hitting the Bump and Grind -- I'll have to play it by ear.  Planning on overnight in Cedar City and I'll most likely roll past Brian Head before the B&G is open for breakfast at 9:00AM.  Hmmm, another thought would be to push on to Brian Head and overnight there.  It'd be a 700 mile day to do that  

[jamesgino]

It'd be a 700 mile day to do that  

Eww that does not sound fun. I plan on doing a max of 400-500 miles a day on my trips. Usually only around 300. You also need to think about the wildlife up in those mountains at night. Plenty of deer running around and they will be hard to spot if you're hitting the twisties hard. I was coming back from Bryce toward Duck Creek Village up 14 and I saw at least 4-5 deer on 14 itself within 10-15 miles. Just be careful  

[Bill@ButlerMaps]

it's ok.
don't miss the ut 14 around cedar breaks!

fyi on the camping,
  there is a campground on ut12 called calf creek that has a short hike from it to the most amazing waterfall in ut.
kodachrome basin camp ground near bryce has the longest hot showers i've ever encountered.

[Two Shots]

Soooo, while we are on the topic of this area, can I get a weigh in on routing from Cedar City to 12:

Ceder City -> 14 -> 89 -> 12    
  ... OR ...
Cedar City -> 14 -> 148 -> 143 -> 89 (briefly) ->12

Foo,
You might like Cedar City > 14 > Mammoth Creek Rd (FS68) > 143 > 89 instead.

This map: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=120+N+600+W,+Cedar+City,+Iron,+Utah+84720&msa=0&msid=114885710268660368197.00048b9b696869a65d182&ll=37.668245,-112.748495&spn=0.508734,1.347198&z=10

Mammoth Creek Rd is fifteen miles of smooth, fun pavement connecting 14 and 143. Most people don't even consider it. It sees very little traffic. I think because on most maps it appears as a forest service road (68). In fact it is in better shape than any of the surrounding paved routes.
.
The speed limit through Cedar Breaks is 25-35 mph. The speed limit on Mammoth Creek Rd is 35-45 mph. I usually ride it safely at 50-70 mph as there is no law enforcement. Expect a nice mix of straights, sweeps, and twisties. Only thing to be aware of is deer and, if the weekend, ATV crossings.

A few views of Mammoth Creek Rd on a busy day:











It is all forested either side. There is one small summer village to ride through about mid-way. No services there. The last section takes you by some cool lava fields.