September 7, 2003—The LaSal Mountain Loop Road

On this day we decided to take the advice of fellow workampers and drive the LaSal Mountain Loop Rd, which leaves Hwy. 128 (the highway following the Colorado River) at the Castle Valley turnoff. Castle Valley is a collection of homes and ranches, no services, which sits in a broad bowl valley. The eastern section is bisected with many of the better known bike and Jeep trails of this area. The outstanding feature is The Castle, a shimmering tower atop a mounded mountain of red dirt.

                                                                                    Castle Valley

                  Castle from afar                                             Castle Rock

 As you start the climb on the narrow paved road up the northern slope of the LaSal Mountains, the views become expansive and broader the higher you go. It’s quite inspiring.

                                                   LaSal Mountain Road

                                                                       Panorama of Castle Valley 

The LaSals are quite accessible for recreation, with numerous rough dirt roads webbing out from the paved portion of the road. The mountains are quite high however, with top peaks over 12,000 feet, so don’t wait too long in the season or you will find them closed with snow. These peaks were already dusted with snow a few days ago. The mountains have a mix of coniferous and deciduous forest, with oak and aspen providing a colorful fall show. Clear creeks fall from the heights.

Dropping elevation much more slowly on the southern portion as the road nears Moab once again, the views again become desert-like and signs of civilization appear. Trophy homes appear tucked in to rock, silent sentinels of their domain.

          Peek-a-boo view of Moab                                  Trophy homes blend in

 After approximately 55 miles, you’re back in Moab.