Avoiding thunderstorms

[hatchcanyon]

Summer of 2009. Monsoon season was in full swing. Nevertheless we were on a trip from Moab - on the bright side - to the area east of the Escalante River. Approaching Hanksville we could see dark clouds to the West.

Middle of the road - between North and South Caineville Mesa on State Route 24

We hat often seen these Mesas in sunshine, the more diffuse light this day was completely different.

South Caineville Mesa across Fremont River

North Caineville Mesa

We stopped there to take some pictures especially from Factory Butte.

Factory Butte - what a beauty!

Mud Cracks

Even if it is called "Blue Gate" and Factory Butte sits on the Upper Blue Hills - it's grey for us. But we like it!

Meanwhile the Thunderstorm had moved more or less in our direction. Due to the fact that the plan was to use Notom Road respectively Burr Trail we saw a chance to avoid the bad weather.

The thunderstorm moved over Boulder Mountain

It was a fantastic mix of light. Selective spots of sunshine like on the hill in the picture above created some dramatic scenes.

On UT 24 west of Caineville

To the West the situation did not get better, Capitol Reef was drenched with rain but we recognized a northeastern drift of the storm. Good chance that it saves our day by a mile or so.

In fact we reached Notom Road without rain and to the South it looked bright.

Featured image for home page:

 

[hatchcanyon]

This is part two of the story:

Driving on Notom Road to the South was easy - as usual. Overcast sky but no thunderstorm like the one behind us. Not far away from Strike Valley Overlook but down on Notom Road we stopped for a break and some pictures:

Strike Valley Overlook is on top to the right

Notom Road, Oyster Reef and Swap Mesa in the background

Waterpocket Fold to the North where the thunderstorm is stll visible

Fresly graded Notom Road and Oyster Shell Reef

Short before Burr Trail:

Peek-a-boo-Rock

Some pictures from Burr Trail:

Burr Trail Switchbacks, Swap Mesa and the Henry Mountains

Stone Layers ascending at about 32 degrees.

Two miles west from the upper end of the incline we found a picnic table. Good place for a lunch! Minutes later an eastbound truck passed, stopped and backed up. A man in his fifties walked out and asked us about having a seat. No problem there was plenty of room for all of us.

He told us that he was from Chicago, worked as a teacher adviser and in his leisure time her looked after places of geological interest. He asked from which direction we came? From Hanksville and UT24. That was the same way he had in mind - in the other direction. But was this feasible?

Why did he ask? He had seen the thunderstorm too and our very dirty Hummer H3, covered with mud. Combining these observations he feared difficult roads. Calm down, the dirt was days old!

 

[Mr. Me]

Those are some sweet looking rock formations. I'm glad the rain didn't completely ruin your trip.