Did I say we had time for just one stop in Utah? That’s true, and we were already running a little late for work. But when a roadside sign pointed toward Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, I couldn’t resist. I begged Kent to pull over.
I had to see the toadstool hoodoos, work or not! Promising to be quick, I hopped out of the car nearly before it stopped. We scurried off down a dusty desert trail.
At first we followed a dry wash below some telephone wires. But we quickly left the road behind and ventured into a land of dramatic contrasts. A moody grey sky hung low over a layer of white rocks, which seemed to glow.
It was a little bit like we were in a pottery workshop: some of the rocks appeared to have been painted this creamy white. Others retained the same rich ochre hue we’d encountered on the cliffs of Zion National Park – only an hour or so earlier! But moving through the landscape to the places where the two met told a story. Both are natural, of course, and each represents a different period of geologic history.
Rounding a high bluff, I caught my first glimpse of the hoodoos we’d come to see. A delicate, tapering pedestal supported a thick cap: all in that rich red color. Delighted, we hurried towards it.
We admired this amazing rock from a respectful distance, slowly circling it to appreciate its every face. Scanning the surrounding landscape, we realized there were more! And off we went, to meet those stone mushrooms too!
Our trail ended abruptly at a tall white cliff. Turning around, we got to revisit all the amazing hoodoos one more time. Time pressure meant we had to scoot back quickly, but I was thrilled to have stopped at Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument!
Definitely make Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument one of your stops in Utah. It’s right on the Grand Circle, and it offers amazing scenery that’s the equal of any national park. Ever heard of The Wave? That’s here! Though you’ll need some luck in the daily lottery to pay it a visit. Got a four-wheel drive or time for a day hike? Head to Coyote Gulch! On our visit, Kent and I only got to take a peek, but more info about everything on offer at Grand Staircase Escalante is here.
With so much to explore, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a worthy destination in its own right. Even if you only have a minute, you must see the toadstool hoodoos!
