Making the Most of a Failed Attempt to Explore Bears Ears National Monument

I'd actually never heard of Bears Ears National Monument until a month ago when all the news were talking about this place. But I decided to go to see it in person since I don't know what the fate of this place is going to be. Hopefully it can remain as a national monument instead of another energy development site.

So I drove 6 hours from Ogden and when I saw the sign to Bears Ears, I was all excited even though the road had completely turned to mud. Then I saw two cars that were covered by mud coming towards me. I was happy finally see two others cars in this middle of nowhere, but soon my excitement became worry since the dirt road was covered by deep snow. I saw where these two cars turned around from the mark, but I didn't want to give up and drove about another minute away before I had to turn around because the snow was too deep and my car had a really hard time driving on it.

It was a pity that I didn't make it all the way to Bears Ears, but there was a silver lining. I ended up doing a loop drive back home crossing Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Escalante, Zion National Park and Kolob Canyon. Not a bad alternative.

My advice if you're going to Bears Ears is to check the weather before you go and better not to go in the Winter. 4-wheel drive is recommended, too.

This is where the road turns to dirt road

Driving through Monument Valley

Horseshoe Bend on a rainy day

Misty Zion

Beautiful Kolob Canyon

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