Places Visited:

Utah: Moki Dugway

May 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.

Earlier today we visited Mexican Hat and the Great Goosenecks of the San Juan. Now we are about to encounter the famous and exciting Moki Dugway.

The "Moki Dugway" what on earth is the "Moki Dugway". I will start by stating that a "dugway" is a means of traversing a steep hillside without sliding down the slope. The Moki Dugway was built by Texas Zinc and Minerals during the uranium boom as a way to accommodate ore trucks. The Moki Dugway is 3.5-miles of graded gravel that climbs the cliff at an 11% grade according to Utah tourist information.

I don't know that I can adequately explain the Moki Dugway other than to say that it is an exciting drive 1,000 feet up the side of a sheer cliff involving 10% or 11% grades (depending on the info source) and switch backs on a gravel road. But it is better to show you than tell you.

Let's do it!

As we approach the Moki Dugway we get a panoramic view of the cliff we are about to climb.

The closer we get to the cliff we are able to see how we are going to attack the ascent.

These signs add to the mystery and excitement of the Moki Dugway.

And finally these signs as we get to the point of no return. We have been warned.

One long steep grade on the edge with no guard rail.

Steep grades, gravel road and sheer drop offs make this exciting.

A switchback is around the corner.

Another switchback.

At one point Joyce was able to snap these incredible shots of where we had just come from. When you see these the Moki Dugway does look impressive.

Both of us thought the road engineers could have removed more of this overhanging rock.

If you look closely you can see a switch back in the picture on the right. Needless to say it is a long way to the bottom.

Once at the top this sign provided a little levity to the moment.

It seems that the elevation on top of the Moki dugway is 6435 feet.

This is a blow up of one of the bumper stickers adorning the Moki Dugway sign. You can see this bumper sticker on the bottom left of the big Moki Dugway sign.

How about that switch back far below!

We were all surprised when this RV appeared at the summit. The driver jumped out and headed around the RV to this side door. Someone in the crowd allowed that the gentleman was probably heading inside to change his shorts. I thought that was funny and probably accurate.

At the top there is another sign informing motorist coming from the north that they are about to challenge the Moki Dugway.

While at the summit Joyce and I took a side trip out to Muley Point. That excursion was covered in a previous travelogue.

Now it is time to head back down the Moki Dugway. Will it be as exciting as the trip up?

This is where we are headed and yes, that is a 10% grade if not more.

On the right is one of the many switch backs.

Coming around a switch back this is what we are facing. Even in low gear I am having to use brakes to control my speed.

Incessantly down and always at 10% if not greater.

Then down from us we spot this large tour bus headed our way. I couldn't believe it but there it was. Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Joyce assures me they aren't and she begins to wonder if we are both going to fit on the gravel road. I found this wide spot and pulled over.

Look closely at the driver. He is non chantely holding a microphone in his right hand while steering with his left hand as if to say "This ain't nothing for a stepper"! Well, I guess I have seen it all. And to think someone said you couldn't take a big rig over the Moki Dugway.

And for a final bit of excitement. Just think one day this huge boulder is going to roll down on the highway. Do you suppose it will be today? One can't help but think about it when passing.

What a day. Does it get any better?

Until next time remember how good life is.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix