Moki Dugway part sixMoki DugwayMay 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. Keep in mind that this it PART SIX of my series covering the Moki Dugway, the other Moki Dugway pages can be accesed here: part one ** part two ** part three ** part four ** part five ** part six
10% grade on the Moki Dugway
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.
10% grade on the Moki Dugway
Good view of the 10% grade on the Moki Dugway.
Switchback on the Moki Dugway
Incessantly down and always at 10% if not greater on the Moki Dugway.
Switchback with bus on the Moki Dugway
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.
Tour bus on the Moki Dugway
Tour bus on the Moki Dugway
Look closely at the driver. He is nonchalantly 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.
Bottom of the famous 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.
Return to the first Moki Dugway page here
Moki Dugway part one ** part two ** part three ** part four ** part five ** part six
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
More Utah AdventuresPlants Trees and Flowers ** More 2007 Travel Adventures
Mike & Joyce Hendrix
Mike & Joyce Hendrix who we are We hope you liked this page. If you do you might be interested in some of our other Travel Adventures: Mike & Joyce Hendrix's home page Travel Adventures by Year ** Travel Adventures by State ** Plants ** Marine-Boats ** Geology ** Exciting Drives ** Cute Signs ** RV Subjects ** Miscellaneous Subjects
We would love to hear from you......just put "info" in the place of "FAKE" in this address: FAKE@travellogs.us Until next time remember how good life is.
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