A Trip To The Manti-La Sal National Forest

(Google Map Screen Capture)

“The Abajo Mountains, known locally as the Blue Mountains or The Blues, is a small mountain range west of Monticello, Utah, south of Canyonlands National Park and north of Blanding, Utah. The mountain range is located within the Manti-La Sal National Forest.”  (WIKI Internet Lookup)

We had spent a week on the Butler Wash touring the area and hiking.  For a change of scenery Joanne suggested an outing to the mountains near Monticello, UT, north of Blanding and south of Moab.  Joanne and I had visited these mountains last year so Cafe, Joanne’s service dog could enjoy romping in the snow.

The mountains west of Monticello are part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest and we can see them from most places in southeastern Utah, covered with snow.

It has been a colder wetter, snow filled winter here, so we normally see snow on mountain but not on the area in town by mid March.



Snowmobiles and cross country skiers take off from here on the imunplowed road..



Abovebis the assigned lanes for use on the groomed road.

Here isvthecroad up into the mountain.



This is looking at the opposite direction towards Monticello.  The road last year was bare.

For those that come out this way and if you need to switch your exercise routine coming here is an easy travel distance and your cross country skiing or snow shooing.

Cafe had a great time running and chasing and acting silly for the hour we spent there.

I try not to run into snow on my travels but an activity like this a great diversion from the daily hikes.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com