Do towering red cliffs along the road get you excited? You will find them on the Burr Trail Road off Utah’s Scenic Highway 12. Plus a Singing Slot Canyon— and ever so much more. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
I was doing research for our road trip over Utah’s Scenic Highway 12 when I came across a rave review for the Burr Trail, a narrow road that branches off from 12 in the small town of Boulder. It looked exactly like the kind of backroad adventure we like. It could take us all the way to Glen Canyon or even up to Capitol Reef National Park. We opted to explore the first 15 or so miles. The route got its start in the late 1800s as a way John Burr found for for moving cattle back and forth between their summer pasture near Boulder and their winter pasture in Glen Canyon.
We were wowed by the first few miles of the road— and then we dropped into Long Canyon. It blew our minds! I’ll start today’s post with photos of the canyon and then double back to pick up the road in.
The Burr Trail winds its way through the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)We were driving along the Burr Trail Road when suddenly it dropped into Long Canyon. It was obvious we were in for a treat. Note the neat way the left and right hand sides of the road are separated through Long Canyon.I took this photo to illustrate how the road was divided.The type of rock formations along the side of the road seemed endless.Their shapes reminded me of Tombstones. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)In addition to the fascinating formations, the colors were riotous. Peggy took this close-up of another cliff. Green trees and shrubs all through the canyon added dramatic contrast to the reds, oranges and yellows.I found these nearby. A hiking trail ran beside the cliff. Note the holes in the rock above.We’ve found these holes in rock formations throughout the Southwest. Peggy loves them but I took this particular photo.There are two interesting rock formations for the price of one here. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)I took a photo of the second formation from a different perspective.One has to love the brilliant colors of the Southwest. Burr Trail’s Long Canyon is full of them. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)Will this seemingly tiny hole (probably 50 feet high) someday become a massive arch? It’s possible. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)Yet another interesting rock formation we found in Long Canyon.Looking up led me to take this photo. We had pulled off the road to see why four cars were parked in the area. That’s a major crowd for Burr Trail Road.“Come on, Curt,” Peggy urged me to join her in finding what had captured everyone’s attention.An incredible slot canyon that towered 80 feet into the air. Peggy provides a good perspective on its size. It’s know locally as Singing Canyon because of its incredible acoustics. Peggy turned her camera up and caught this photo of the ceiling…And this. Note the deep purple as well as the orange and red colors.I focused on the slot canyons floor that was equally colorful. Turning around, there was a light at the end of the tunnel/slot canyon, and it featured a tree lit up by the sun. Peggy took a closer photo of the tree. I liked the way the trunk and limbs stood out. Several more things caught our interest outside of Singing Canyon.An ancient cottonwood that looked like it could star in a fantasy movie…The world’s largest sling shot?And a very unusual example of rock erosion.Meanwhile, Peggy was finding her own definition of strange by peering into the holes in rocks she liked. The hole had its own example of Burr Trail scenery.I’ll conclude out journey through Long Canyon with a final view of the wall that runs along the edge of the road.As I mentioned at the beginning, the Burr Creek Trail road had its own interesting rock formations. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)Even the roadside was scenic!I like the contrast of these trees and shrubs growing among the rocks alongside the road.Peggy captured this rock formation with a tree in front…And a final Boulder Trail Road photo by Peggy. Next Friday’s Post. Finally, Bryce Canyon.
22 thoughts on “If You Liked Utah’s Scenic Highway 12, You Will Love This Old Cattle Route: The Burr Trail Road”
I lived in Utah back in the 80s and traveled the road then. I recall much controversy over the proposed paving of the road, considered necessary by many because of the treacherous,
slippery, nature of the bentonite clay road surface when wet. Did they “compromise” and pave just one side of the road?
One of my favorite posts, Kurt and Peggy.
Thanks, Alphabet. 🙂 They paved one side white and the other side grey which was a clever way to keep one on the right side of what was a narrow road. 🙂
Thanks Curt. We have traveled across 12 several times but never were on the Burr Travel Road. That is Alie’s favorite part of the world [Canadian Rockies come in at number one for me] and when/if we ever get back on the road, we will certainly pull up your posts for ideas.
We will certainly put this road on our list of side trips to take! Your photos are great – though it took my web browser quite a long time to download each of them! My connection must be particularly slow this AM!
I’m can see why you wanted to include lots of photos!
Maybe it wasn’t the number of photos but the size of them that slowed me down! I know I have to resize my images to less than about 250 KB so that I can upload them in a timely manner. My WP Media Library says I’ve used 400 MB of space for 3100 photos!
It does help to have a fast internet connection. 🙂 I uploaded them in about three minutes.
There’s not a word big enough for these big rocks! I’m so glad you two have the chance to prowl areas like this — we all profit from it. Of course I’m a little envious, but on the other hand, my travel juices have been pretty much evaporated by our heat. Like a good bit of the country, I’m waiting for October! By that time, I’ll be ready to roll, even if I don’t make it to the rocks!
Pretty amazing, huh, Linda. It is a treasure. Again, it’s another example where Bryce gets all the press so that is where everyone goes. (Not that Peggy and I are complaining about sharing the Burr Trail with only a dozen people instead of a thousand.)
We were just noticing that the Applegate Valley is under severe fire watch. And we are learning to live with humidity. (Good thing I had all of that practice ever so long ago in Liberia.) We just returned from taking our grandkids to visit Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Plenty of heat and humidity there as well. But everything I have read says that Texas has been just plain miserable.
Come September we will be heading north. 🙂
Yes, towering red cliffs along the road get me excited! Lol. Beautiful photos. I was especially interested in the stripes, and that slot canyon was immense. I’m glad Peggy was in there to give some perspective. The trail looks like and amazing find. 🙂
Wandering through Time and Place 
I lived in Utah back in the 80s and traveled the road then. I recall much controversy over the proposed paving of the road, considered necessary by many because of the treacherous,
slippery, nature of the bentonite clay road surface when wet. Did they “compromise” and pave just one side of the road?
One of my favorite posts, Kurt and Peggy.
Thanks, Alphabet. 🙂 They paved one side white and the other side grey which was a clever way to keep one on the right side of what was a narrow road. 🙂
Truly amazing. It almost seems hard to believe that these are all natural creations.
You sure look like you both had a grand time!
Grand indeed, G. And impossible not to have a good time. 🙂
Oh wow, what a tremendous find. Thanks so much for taking me there.
You are quite welcome, Peggy.
Thanks Curt. We have traveled across 12 several times but never were on the Burr Travel Road. That is Alie’s favorite part of the world [Canadian Rockies come in at number one for me] and when/if we ever get back on the road, we will certainly pull up your posts for ideas.
The Slot Canyon is no more than a five minute walk from the car on a good trail, Ray. I think it is something that Alie could handle. –Curt
We will certainly put this road on our list of side trips to take! Your photos are great – though it took my web browser quite a long time to download each of them! My connection must be particularly slow this AM!
You won’t be disappointed Margy. Sorry about the photos. I’d decided there was so much beauty I would post more photos than I normally do. –Curt
I’m can see why you wanted to include lots of photos!
Maybe it wasn’t the number of photos but the size of them that slowed me down! I know I have to resize my images to less than about 250 KB so that I can upload them in a timely manner. My WP Media Library says I’ve used 400 MB of space for 3100 photos!
It does help to have a fast internet connection. 🙂 I uploaded them in about three minutes.
There’s not a word big enough for these big rocks! I’m so glad you two have the chance to prowl areas like this — we all profit from it. Of course I’m a little envious, but on the other hand, my travel juices have been pretty much evaporated by our heat. Like a good bit of the country, I’m waiting for October! By that time, I’ll be ready to roll, even if I don’t make it to the rocks!
Pretty amazing, huh, Linda. It is a treasure. Again, it’s another example where Bryce gets all the press so that is where everyone goes. (Not that Peggy and I are complaining about sharing the Burr Trail with only a dozen people instead of a thousand.)
We were just noticing that the Applegate Valley is under severe fire watch. And we are learning to live with humidity. (Good thing I had all of that practice ever so long ago in Liberia.) We just returned from taking our grandkids to visit Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. Plenty of heat and humidity there as well. But everything I have read says that Texas has been just plain miserable.
Come September we will be heading north. 🙂
Wow wow wow! That opening photo is a beauty and it just got better and better from there! What a fabulous place!
Alison
Indeed, Alison. That’s exactly what Peggy and I thought! 🙂 –Curt
That’s just awesome, especially that slot canyon.
I had passed the road a couple of times before, Dave, and wasn’t even aware of its existence.
Yes, towering red cliffs along the road get me excited! Lol. Beautiful photos. I was especially interested in the stripes, and that slot canyon was immense. I’m glad Peggy was in there to give some perspective. The trail looks like and amazing find. 🙂
I’d been by the trail a few times in the past, D., and wasn’t even aware of its existence. That won’t happen again. Grin.
just wow….almost no words for this beauty Curt. Amazing images!
And more to come, Sylvia. Every bend in the area seems to hold a treasure. Thanks. –Curt