The Bear’s Ears Scramble: Hovenweep National Monument to Goosenecks State Park

Dear Maia, Isaac,and Virtual Wanderers,

Today, we awoke to clear skies and a soggy tent (AKA the Sazi Ana). Fortunately, the soggy was on the outside only. The tornadoes of yesterday were kind to us. But, just like that, the work of the camping road trip started as I spent a couple hours taking down camp. (UPDATE: One of my camping packs did take water that leaked in the hatch but caused no damage. There were also two new chips in my windshield.)

Awakening in sunshine and puppies at Hovenweep.

We stopped at the Visitor’s Center to find out which road they suggested. There are two routes from Hovenweep to Bluff. We took the north route due to road construction. That meant we went north on Cahone Mesa Road, then UT 262 to US 191. Click here for a Google Map of our route for today.

The Twin Rocks in Bluff, UT

When we got to Bluff, we stopped at Twin Rocks restaurant for a Bear’s Ears Scramble. I adore the fry bread and egg combo. The grilled veggies are good and make it seem healthy.

My Bear’s Ears Scramble.

Next stop we got a taste of the ancient southwest with a stop at Sand Canyon Petroglyphs. This is a favorite side of ours trip in the area. We camped here the last 2 trips. It was a warm but short hike.

Sand Canyon petroglyphs
A nice panel at Sand Canyon.

From there, it was only a few miles to our campsite at Goosnecks State Park. This is a remote park that’s just north of Monument Valley and south of Valley of the Gods. To the west is Moki Dugway.

Gooseneck campground.

I’m sure if my car and I were 10 years younger, we might have done one of those adventures again today. But, I wanted to get a campsite and get settled in. If I was spending 2 nights here, as I usually do if Hovenweep is a separate trip, (and it hadn’t just rained) I’d take the Dugway and then circle back to Monticello. It’s gorgeous!

Frisson looking over the Goosenecks at dusk.

There is a sense of Frisson looking down at the Goosenecks of the San Juan River. People like to camp right on the edge. I prefer a site with a shaded table for the dogs. I also think there is a Frisson to backroads like we took today. Sometimes I feel momentary chills as a new scene comes into view. Nothing this trip will top yesterday’s tornadoes at Hovenweep as far as Frisson. At least I hope not.

TTFN, GM Cathy

UPDATE 9.23: Here is a short Instagram reel I made with more photos.

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