Bluff, to Mexican Hat, UtahMay 19, 2007. We stayed in Cottonwood Campground in Bluff, Utah. Several private RV-Parks were available in Bluff. We chose Cottonwood. The others were just as nice. One mile west of town is Sand Island Department of the Interior Campground with no utilites. It was OK as well. Cottonwood was $20 for a FHU site.
Bluff, Utah bluff
Ok, we are staying in Bluff, Utah. Do you have any idea how it got the name "Bluff"? Well to the right you will find a clue. Yes, this is the eponymous bluff of Bluff, Utah.
Sand Island Campground & Boat Launch Bluff, Utah
Sand Island Campground & Boat Launch Bluff, Utah
No more than a mile or so west of Bluff is Sand Island Campground & Boat Launch. Float trips down the San Juan River are launched here. Also available is a very cheap no hookup campground. We are going to have to plan to return to this area and float down the San Juan River.
Rafters on San Juan River at Sand Island Campground & Boat Launch Bluff, Utah
It is 5 PM or later so I guess these rafters are hauling out after their float trip.
Sandstone roadcut between Bluff & Mexican Hat, Utah
West of Bluff on our way to Mexican Hat we passed through some impressive sandstone road cuts.
US-163 west of Bluff, Utah
This is a good summary of what the scenery looks like on US-163 west of Bluff.
Southern Utah scenery as seen from US-163 west of Bluff
Typical southern Utah scenery.
Hoodoo
I think this rock formation would qualify as a hoodoo.
This is the Hoodoo that gave name to Mexican Hat, Utah
This hoodoo inspired the moniker for the town we are headed to: Mexican Hat. The hat is also a fine example of a "caprock" as used in geological terms.
Mexican Hat Rock example of a "caprock" protecting the softer layers below it
This is a better view of the eponyous Mexican Hat Rock. The "hat" is a fine example of a geological caprock.
Also look beyond the Mexican Hat Rock at the sedimentary rock in the bluff. Notice how the sedimentary layers are almost vertical on the left side of the picture. That is a fault line, probably a block fault where the right side faulted up and the left side faulted down.
Block fault visible in sedimentary rocks
Between Mexican Hat Rock and the town of Mexican Hat are these colorful patterns of erosion visible to the south of US-163. This is called a block fault. Block faults occur when one side moves up and the other moves down.
Block fault visible in sedimentary rocks
I like the pattern is this block fault exposed by erosion.
Fault exposed
The odd shapes are created by faulting and erosion in this sedimentary rock formation east of Mexican Hat, Utah..
San Juan River Bridge in Mexican Hat, Utah
This is the famous San Juan River Bridge in Mexican Hat, Utah. I say famous because it is one of the few bridges crossing the San Juan River. It is also famous because it is situated at the bottom of a long 10% grade. Vehicles coming down that 10% grade better have their speed under control because they have to make a right angle turn or else run smack into that sandstone bluff you see in this picture.
San Juan River and bluffs at Mexican Hat, Utah
This is the San Juan River as it flows past that bridge on its way to the "Goosenecks" not far out of Mexican Hat.
San Juan River Bridge in Mexican Hat, Utah
This is another picture of that bridge and the sharp right angle turn that has to be negotiated at the bottom of that long 10% grade.
San Juan River Bridge in Mexican Hat, Utah
From this angle you can see some of the 10% grade facing traffic on US-163. Travelers traveling east or north on US-163 are the ones that have to have their speed rolling down that 10% grade under control.
Mexican Hat boat launch on the San Juan River
This boat launch in Mexican Hat was a popular place. There appears to be a lot of activity with float trips down the San Juan River taking place.
Valle's RV-Park Pizza & Beer in Mexican Hat, Utah
This RV-Park was very near that boat launch. It would work fine for RV'ers.
If you liked this Travel Adventure you might like one of these: Goosenecks on the San Juan River southern Utah Natural Bridges National Monument in southern Utah
Click here for more Utah Travel Adventures
I can't think of a better ending to a wonderful day.
Until next time remember how good life is. Mike & Joyce Hendrix
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