John Atlantic Burr was born on a ship as his family was making their way to the United States in the late 1800s. Later in life he was a cattleman in Southern Utah.
His land included space along an amazing geological feature known as the Waterpocket Fold, a rise of nearly 1000′ feet above the valley below.
Today the Burr Trail goes from Bullfrog on Lake Powell to Boulder, Utah. The road is paved for the first 20 miles or so.
As we turned onto this road a park ranger stopped us and warned us that a few miles ahead the road goes through Bullfrog Creek, and that some people had been stuck there for 3 hours, before finally getting through.
Fortunately our choice of transportation is an all wheel drive Ford Edge – and the ranger said, in true guy fashion ‘you might be ok – just stay right, then left, then back to the right – and don’t stop’. Having driven in snow for decades I knew exactly what he meant. And it worked.
We went right through!
For next 30 miles or so we enjoyed the trip, first paved and eventually gravel road. The scenery was once again amazing. After about 15 miles you enter Capital Reef National Park.
At one point John cut a path for his cattle down the Fold so they could get down to the valley to graze. He did this with a series of switchbacks that now serve as the highlight of this drive.
While not quite as high a climb as Moki Dugway, it is far more intense as the road is barely 2 lanes, and the climb is steeper. Very cool!
This photo is not tilted, the land is!
The view at the top is great, looking back at what you just drove.
The remainder of Burr Trail takes you through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, highlighted in the next posting.
RDZ Photography 