I Survived Utah – Day 3 – Journey to Salt Lake

On Sunday Ian and I woke before sunrise to make the return journey to Salt Lake City.  We decided to avoid the mountain pass we had taken on the way to Moab and return a different route.  It had snowed a little overnight (not the twelve inches that the car rental lady threatened) and though it wasn’t enough to make us worry, a one lane highway through the hills didn’t sound too great.  We cut across the state and the going was clear for about two hours, until we hit The Reef.

The Reef is a huge rock formation that rises out of the ground like spikes along a dragon’s back.  Once we crossed it, the road filled with snow.  Only one lane of the highway was paved, which wasn’t too much of an issue since it was only us and about six trucks on the road.  Total.  For the balance of the four hours.

This was cool until we realized if we got stranded there was no one coming to get us.  This was cool until our car ran out of windshield wiper fluid and snow spray froze onto our windshield.  This was cool until the washing liquid at every gas station was frozen solid.  Then it was not so cool to be so alone.

Needless to say, we made it.  I got a very sexy sunburn/windburn/sandburn combo right across my cheeks, just below the hat line and above the scarf line.  My badge of pride.  I was happy to get back to a warm Los Angeles.

Overall park rating: Arches: A+, Canyonlands: B

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