That's a good picture of it peterboy. And if you can hold on for the two minutes it takes to go along that you'll absolutely love the other three hours.

""Your gonna cry? I'll show you--get in the back. OMW. I guess the day was ruined. "'
LOL

Peterboy,

So good to hear from you! Having a busy spring?
Planning on getting out this way again?

Yes, planting season is here so I'm fully occupied.

Sharon and I going to try to get to the area in September. Possibly into Denver and do a loop into Mexican Hat, up to the Moab area and back.

Maybe i ca write off the trip as a business expense if I visit a few galleries to consign some of my rock art reproductions ;)

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/peteroglyphs

peterboy & sharon,

Seriously there are a couple places in Moab that might work for you. If you got up as far as Park City, heaven knows we have plenty of very high end galleries as well as souvenier shops.

I'd love to meet up with you guys finally, but I'm working on a trip to Sicily and the Aeolian Islands for Sept. It's been a LONG time coming, 7 yrs.

If something changes maybe we can do a mini GTG in Moab!

Happy travels, Dayle

Mini GTG in the back of Bob's Truck?

Thanks Dayle! If we can pull this trip off, I'll post our itinerary here for review. I need me some red rock exposure ;)

See this is 2 days late and meggies has already decided to drive it, but I will second Rt. 12 being not such a big deal. And I am a super sissy, very afraid of heights. Also a control freak, so I do most of the driving (well, as long as we're in a car with the steering wheel on the left) while my husband plays with his Garmin and iPhone (like there's a lot of chance we'll get lost between Capital Reef and Escalante). I'd actually be a lot more afraid if someone else were driving. (And I'd probably be driving anyway, just from the backseat.) I had read some "warnings" but it wasn't actually that bad. I've driven worse in Greece (where people really are straddling the line, if there even is a line) and just as bad in the Appalachians and probably GTSR in Glacier. Maybe my husband would say I was a little edgy because I told him I didn't really want to go back to Boulder to eat at Hell's Backbone Grill that night, then return to Escalante in the dark; personally, I don't think that's as sissy as smart - there's critters in them thar hills and on them thar roads, for one thing. When I think about it, it's funny that I didn't want to drive it at night. My first drive down Chain of Craters Rd. at Hawaii Volcanoes NP was at night. When we headed back down the next day, I got to the top of the first hill and said, "Holy C#%$p, I drove down this in the dark?!" (Maybe that's what "cured" me about mountain driving, though. I realized that what you don't know won't hurt you and all that.)

Dayle, I was suggesting they take a guided tour (I am a guide for an outfitter) Pity you didn't enjoy it, I can show you so many things along the way that there are only a few stretches where you have to listen to me blather on about bentonite and dinosaurs 8-) People do indeed try it in their passenger cars, and some get stuck every year, long wait, very expensive tow.

My mother didn't mind being the back of the truck, I put the tailgate up and gave her cushion!

Very funny Bob! Just remember never to run for President. If people frown on Romney putting his dog on top of the family car, I can't wait tohear what they think about Mom in the back,even with cushion.

Those visitors who attempt Cathedral Valley in a car must just go in/out from the eastern end. I can't believe anyone would be dumb enough to to tocross the river in a car??..or would they?

Thanks, Polly. This thread has now become entertaining as well as educational. I think what will really happen is that we will get to Capitol Reef, enjoy what's there, overnight in Torrey and then see how brave we are feeling the next morning. Looks like we will have an option in driving 24 northwest and 62 south.

Dayle--remember that people figure it doesn't matter what they do to a rental car!! My favorite joke is "What's the difference between an SUV from SLC and an Avis rent a car from SLC? The rent a car has been off road." Besides, if they went on that road based on GPS--who knows what they came up with ;-)

I don't know, you would certainly hope that someone would have enough common sense NOT to drive across a river (no bridge) in a regular car.....I would love to know if anyone in a regular rental has been pulled out of the Fremont!

Yes, rental cars are pulled out of the river every year - it isn't cheap and doesn't make the rental company happy. When the Fremont is really low it is possible for a regular car to cross but why chance it? Cars also get stuck on the far side of various washes on the Notom Road, some were out there for 3 days a couple of years ago, the people were rescued by the park rangers.

I am the original poster. We have returned from our trip, and I just want to say thanks to all on this thread who gave advice, especially regarding Route 12, from Capitol Reef to Bryce. I think knowing in advance what to expect made the drive much easier and much more pleasant. In negotiating the Hogback, instead of closing my eyes while DH worked to keep the car away from the edge, I took pictures! Route 12 really is a drive not to be missed. Thanks!

Will come back and read the banter later. Just drove this last week - and I can't even remember the section on beautiful/scenic drive 12 that is referred to as the Hogback - that was supposed to be a bit scary. It was all pretty easy driving IMO.

But the most important thing is that with input from Fodorites - it made you feel more comfortable when driving the area. Happy Trails. :)

<<Route 12 really is a drive not to be missed. Thanks!>>


And that is the only important part ! Glad you enjoyed it.

Meggies,

I'm so glad you had a fun trip and enjoyed Hwy 12. Now you know first hand it's no big deal!

Come back!

Meggies - so glad that you took the opportunity to see Route 12. It really is incredible; one of my favorites!

We're planning a trip for this fall and just decided to go out and back on route 12 (instead of the southern route) even though we're starting from Kanab our 1st night. Can't wait!

So, how about a quick trip report...?