All Roads Lead to Montezuma Canyon - Route 191 to the Homes Built in Sandstone Hills.

As I warned you before, our travels throughout the canyons between Monticello and Blanding have been a series of convoluted journeys.  Telling you about the southern end of Montezuma Canyon Road - CR 146 first could be considered going "bass ackwards"; but that's how we roll.  Now, I'm going to begin in Monticello, actually at the Monticello Welcome Center located on Main Street; use this as your landmark if you're totally unfamiliar with this area.  The Center is exactly 5 miles, traveling south down Route 191, from the entrance to CR 146; there are no signs marking the road, but there are clues.  Montezuma Canyon Road is 34 miles in length to the junction of Perkins Road - CR 206; it fluctuates between graded dirt to gravel to a combination of dirt and gravel, but always graded and all standard vehicles can travel it easily.  It does narrow in many areas, so I wouldn't even think of taking an RV there at all.

When you see mile marker 67, you're just about at the entrance; on your left will be a dirt road with a cattle guard, this is CR 146; if you reach Bull Hollow Raceway, you passed it. Do not go on the dirt trail that goes off to the left; follow the road as it curves to the right.  For about two miles you will pass by homes (lots of no trespassing and private property signs) until you come to a fork in the road; the road to the left is private, so continue straight, well sort of rightish, over the cattle guard. 






The next couple of miles opens up with lovely scenery, it also begins winding downwards, but it's not overly steep; stop and look behind you to see where you've come from and how beautiful it is.

At the four mile point, the road begins the descent into Montezuma Canyon; you'll get a tease from the viewpoint ahead, but the best is yet to come.

Descent downwards is curving, but not steep

Upper Montezuma Canyon

 





Once you level out, expect to basically drive about 25 to 30 mph standard; you will find yourself crawling along in many spots, craning your neck to see if there are ruins in the multitude of caves, or rock art upon the walls.  Then there will be points where you just have to simply stop, look and take it all in.


At the base of the descent, the five mile mark, a dirt track on the left leads to a closed cattle gate (no trespassing sign); this is an abandoned homestead and while the wooden structures are simplistic, they're fascinating in their own right.  You will get a complete view as you continue traveling on CR 146; there will be an opening to a canyon beyond and then you will begin to see the caves, some with ruins inside.



Cave used for storage.

Montezuma Creek runs parallel to the road; most of it is frozen during winter months.

We didn't even attempt to count, or even stop to look at, every cave; there are simply too many.  From the few we did examine, several do have ruins not easily seen due to the distance and the overgrowth of trees and shrubbery.

Between seeing what is in caves and unusual rock formations, the next three miles will be slow going; I did tell you about those "mesa miles".  If you're like us, you will get a great workout climbing around trying to see formations from all angles; or what secrets might be around them.

There are going to be many points along the road where, if you weren't paying attention, or looking elsewhere, you would miss something spectacular.  Around mile 8 I just happened to look up between some tall shubbery and see a roadside ruin site.  You can walk upwards to the wall and there is a large cave, not much in ruins, but the way nature formed the cave in ridges is pretty neat.

Viewing space from road is small

Don't speed up too fast, maybe a half mile beyond is a set of beautiful adobe pillars and gate with a driveway leading to the first of homes built into a sandstone hill.  This is a large complex of buildings and we would so live here!

Then again, this home built into a sandstone hill at mile 9; we wouldn't say no to this one either!

...and this is where I'm ending this adventure for now.  In the next write up, there will be vineyards, yes, vineyards!; more ruins and an amazing petroglyph of what we refer to as "The Sun God and the Hand".  There's your tease...

Mary Cokenour

Hole N" the Rock, the Home, not the Pioneer Trail.

Hole N" The Rock


11037 South Highway 191
Moab, Utah 84532

Phone: (435) 686-2250

Website: http://theholeintherock.com/

Yes, that is a white Jeep at the front top of the hill

Hole N" the Rock is not to be confused with the pioneer trail; it is, in fact, an actual home built instead a sandstone hill.   It is located next to a rest stop area with the steep Blue Hill just beyond; if you're traveling towards Moab, once you get up the hill, the straight away will take you past Spanish Valley and finally into Moab itself.  A simple warning to travelers, even though this tourist attraction is easily seen as you approach from either direction, watch for motorists who suddenly decide to make the turn into the parking lot.  If traveling north, watch for truckers pulling out of the rest stop which cannot be seen until you go around Hole N" the Rock's corner.



This home was built by Albert and Gladys Christensen and was literally a labor of love.  Albert blasted and carved out the sandstone to provide his family with an unusual home.  After his death in 1957, Gladys stayed on to do some finishing touches and remained there until her own death in 1974.  The couple are still there together, buried side by side in an alcove that can be visited.

At the front of the "home" is a souvenir shop which doubles as the entrance to the home's tour; it's only a 12 minute tour and we found it to be interesting and fun.  Photos of the interior are not allowed, but you can see a few photos on the website listed above.  The temperature inside is a standard 68 to 72 degrees all year round; there is indoor plumbing and electricity; Roy and I both thought we would so enjoy living here.  The gardens outside are full of local plant life, such as cacti, and are very attractive to look at, and sit around.

But wait, there's more...

 

 

Walking throughout the property, you'll find a Trading Post, General Store and all manner of fun sites such as a miner's car above on a wire to an actual Bigfoot.




At the General Store which has cold drinks, snacks and souvenirs, you will be able to purchase tickets to enter the "Exotic Zoo", and be able to purchase a cup of cut up vegetables. Make sure to save some veggies when you visit the camel, and my next set of photos will show you why.






The Exotic Zoo at Hole N" the Rock is small, but it does have animals that you might never have seen elsewhere before.  There is the African Watusi whose horns can fill a Texas Longhorn with envy; African Ostrich and Australian Emu which seem to never want to stand still for a decent photo; plus several other animals.

...and a bird that you remember eating, but have you seen it alive and completely feathered? The American Turkey (male) and he sure does love to strut around and hiss a whole lot; no gobbling for this gobbler.







Did you remember to save some of those cut up veggies?  Then go over and visit the camel; place a veggie stick in your mouth, put your face near the fence and get a great big smooch on the lips.  I did it after Roy tried it first; I was hesitate because I knew that camels do spit and bite.  This camel, however, is very gentle, and I was surprised on how soft its facial hair and lips were.

 
Hole N" the Rock is a fun little visit, a good break up from the monotony of driving and it won't take much time out of your schedule to enjoy. 

Mary Cokenour