Dolores Canyon Overlook via Dove Creek.

Just as you're about to leave the little town of Dove Creek, Colorado (heading eastward), and you see Adobe Milling at the top of the short incline; a road leads off to the left of a shabby looking building.  This unmaintained road leads to the Dolores River Overlook, or the Dolores Canyon Overlook...this tale is of the latter.  It was a late Sunday morning, Roy and I were simply driving around to see what we've missed on minor roads; we are a curious pair in more ways than some.


This road led us through farmland, ranch land, abandoned building here and there; every once in great while a sign indicated we were still going in the correct direction.  We were on a leisurely drive, so didn't even bother to take down notes; this was one of those "we don't care where we end up" kind of adventures.  At the intersection of RD H6/ RD H12, we took H6 and a short distance along was a split; a sign indicated the Dolores Canyon Overlook was the left hand path.  It wasn't long before we came to a parking area where there is a picnic area and restrooms.

The trail to the overlook is mostly natural terrain, but you can see where the park service helped to create the path also; at the end is a small rock wall.  Being the 1st of November, it was a cold, yet clear and sunny day; the landscapes before us were absolutely beautiful.  It was also elk and deer hunting season, so the echoing of gun fire could be heard throughout the canyon.  There is no hunting allowed along this trail to the overlook, but there are trails for ATV riding on each side of the 4 wheel drive, main path.

The Dolores River can be seen winding its way through the canyon.  We never got back to the actual overlook road near Dove Creek, but got to see the river anyway.

From the overlook, the entire town of Dove Creek can be seen.  By the way, a wind farm is being currently constructed in Monticello, Utah (approx. 20 minutes west of Dove Creek, CO); complainers say the windmills (which I believe are fascinating to look at) can be seen all the way from Dove Creek.  Nope!  Actually, they're not really visible until you reach Eastland, the halfway point between Dove Creek and Monticello.

We headed back to RD H6/ RD H12 intersection, went onto H12 and ended back on Route 491; still wanting to drive, we headed eastward towards Yellow Jacket.  Why Yellow Jacket?  It's actually because we had seen a sign on Road G that said, "Yellow Jacket Road", so figured we check it out.  It didn't work out the way we planned though.  So, what's Yellow Jacket like?  You blink, you miss it...there is the Post Office/General Store, several residential homes and then open land as far as the eye can see.  We drove along roads that were in terrible condition, probably due to the rain and snow the area had recently experienced.  I was smart to bring the Colorado DeLorme with us, just in case, so was able to navigate to the road that went to Hovenweep National Monument.  I looked up that "Yellow Jacket Road" and  discovered it went to Yellow Jacket Canyon, not the tiny, tiny town of Yellow Jacket itself.  All just part of adventuring, living and learning.

Eventually we came to a gravel road that looked very, very familiar and I told Roy to turn onto it.  "Are you sure?", he asked; "Yes, have I ever steered you wrong? ...and don't answer that!"  It wasn't long before we came to a crossroads which indicated where various towns were...Blanding, Bluff, Aneth.  I knew exactly where we were and told Roy to continue onto the gravel road to the right; he just stared at me, but did make the turn.  A half hour later, Montezuma Canyon Road (CR 146) came into view, and I just gave Roy that "I told you so." look.

CR 146 was in terrible condition the first 15 miles going northward; like I mentioned before, the recent rain and snow had definitely done a huge number on this road.  Many a time we had to cross over a once dry area where each side of the road had eroded terribly.  Once dry washes now had water within them, not enough to play U-boat commander, but enough to kick up water and mud up to the windows.

Bradford Canyon Ruins

Cow standing on a steep hill; wish I had such great footing.

Home in time for a well deserved dinner, then a movie before heading off to much deserved sleep.  Adventuring is so much fun, you really should try it.

Mary Cokenour

Monument Canyon, the Upper Section

This is about my little detour when I was traveling through Coal Bed Canyon on CR 341.  This is also about conquering fear of these canyon roads that are strictly for 4 wheel drive vehicles and ATVs.  On CR 372, there are areas on the road where you will stop and all you will see out your front windshield is the sky; you're practically parked vertical.  That's when you have to do some deciding; can't back down the road in reverse; can't do a U-turn; might have a cell signal, but who do I call for help; sit there and hope someone comes along; or the hell with it, drive and damn the torpedoes.  I chose the last option and am the stronger for it; pretty darned proud of myself too!  Alright, I'll admit it, I believe I'm becoming an adrenaline junkie from all this adventuring...and I like it!

Oh, don't confuse Monument Canyon with Monument Basin which is located in Canyonlands - Islands in the Sky; nor Monument Valley on the border of Utah and Arizona.

Anyway, I'll post the map, follow the bright red road on the right hand, central part of the map; I'll post a map of Colorado later, so you can follow the road back to Route 491, or you back track back to the 341/372 junction and decide where to go from there.

There we were, Jenna (my dog) and I at the junction taking a water and snack break.  So Jenna, which way should we go; down 372 she began to trot; of course I called her back into the SUV and off we went together.  Yep, I let the dog decide.







Monument Canyon is another beautiful area to travel through; quiet and serene.

At the 1.5 mile mark, I spotted a cave almost at eye level to the vehicle.  Even though I was careful to keep an eye out for any animals, I definitely had the feeling of being watched from the area above.  There was scat nearby which I knew was not cattle or deer; I didn't wait around to see who its owner was

The next mile and a half is the road winding up and down, around corners, glorious views and a few, "OMG!", but it's more thrilling than it is frightening.

Looking back at where I'd just driven from.

At mile mark 3, I spotted caves along some ledges; while they might have been good spots for living in, the absence of ruins indicated that the ancient people thought better than that.

At mile mark 4.5 I came up from the canyon to find...farmland!  I could not believe that the land suddenly flattened out and farmland stretched on both sides of the road.  Two miles more and I reached the junction of CR 348 - State Line; that's right, the border of Utah and Colorado.  So, you would think I simply follow State Line Road north and I'll be at Route 491 in no time.  Yeah, think again; at the end is a pump jack and oil tanks.  Maybe go south, and it will swing around to Route 491?  Nope, it dead ends at private property.  What the heck!?!

Back to the junction, so there is a dirt road at 3/10s of a mile on the north side, with no sign of course.  It ended at 3/10ths of a mile and there was finally a sign, I had been on Road S; the curve left took me onto Road 2 which ended at Road P.  Oy vey! Don't even waste a moment of thought on finding someplace to stop and ask for directions; these roads are littered with abandoned homesteads.

Road P to the left is a quick dead end, but I did pass by a Llama ranch, and two of the cutest llamas decided to pose for me.  Back tracking, I took Road P until I reached Road 6 and that took me up, finally, to Route 491 and into Dove Creek, Colorado.  Now you understand why I'm also posting the map of Colorado or you'll be driving up and down those country roads for hours; just follow the bright red line on the map.

..and so ends that adventure with my dear girl, Jenna.  She jumped onto the bed as soon as we got home, and didn't wake up till way past dinner time. 

Mary Cokenour

Colorado Along Route 491.

As I mentioned in a previous writing on Monticello, Utah; it is the crossroads for Routes 491 and 191. Traveling east on Route 491, it is about 15 minutes before the border line between Utah and Colorado. Entering Utah from Colorado, you'll be greeted with "Welcome to Utah; Life Elevated"; or vice versa, Colorado will greet you with, "Welcome to Colorful Colorado".



Dove Creek, CO

As you pass by High Country Elevator (dried beans and grains), the small town of Dove Creek will come into sight.  The speed limit slows from 65 - 55 - 45 and finally 35 miles/hour quickly; the local sheriff's department maintains vehicles at either end of town to make sure the speed limits are abided by.  At the Weber Industrial Park is the tractor exhibit; Midland Bean Company; Shell and Sinclair (both gas/convenience stores) and various other businesses line the main street. 




Adobe Milling Company
 

Continuing east, sitting on the extreme point of the hill is Adobe Milling Company whose products are available in many of the supermarkets throughout Utah and Colorado; popular sellers are Anasazi Beans and various hot sauces.







Along the way you'll pass a few "blink and you'll miss them" tiny towns; Cahone, Pleasant View and Yellow Jacket (observe the reduced to 50 miles/hour speed limits).  Eventually you will come to the junction of Route 184; turning onto this road will bring you past McPhee Reservoir and the Anasazi Heritage Museum.  At the end of the road is Route 145 either leading to Cortez, or the other way towards Dolores; keep going past Dolores though and say hello to the Rocky Mountains and you're on your way to Telluride.



McPhee Reservoir
 

The landscape along Route 491 encompasses "as far as the eye can see" miles of open range, pastures, fields, canyons, and dried creeks taken over by nature's greenery.  There are many access roads to the San Juan National Forest; on a windy day do not be surprised to see a dust devil or two sweeping along the horizon view line.   The one hour drive between Monticello, Utah and Cortez, Colorado is scenic and calming, if you open your senses up to it all.

Once you reach Cortez though, you can dine at many of the eateries (fast food and casual restaurants); window shop along the main street; there are two full service supermarkets and a WalMart.  That part of Cortez is along Route 160 and if you keep following that route, you'll pass Mancos (an arts and crafts type of town) and eventually see the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park; or keep going up into the mountains towards Durango.  Staying on Route 491 would head you towards New Mexico where you'll see Chimney Rock and Shiprock.

 

Choices, choices...don't keep asking how many miles between this and that; just make a decision on which direction and enjoy the ride.

 

Mary Cokenour