KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK (Day 21 - part 6)

I continued along the ever-changing and entertaining scenery of Highway 12.

My accommodation for the night, the Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch, was located near one end of Hell's Backbone Road.

In the early 1930's, the only roads to Boulder were rough (and often impassible) wagon trails. So the Civilian Conservation Corps built Hell's Backbone Road, a 38-mile gravel road that connected Boulder with Escalante via the Aquarius Plateau. Unfortunately, with a peak elevation of over 9,000 feet, this road was not usable in winter. It wasn't until 1940 that Highway 12 was built, offering year-round travel. Halfway along the road is Hell's Backbone Bridge, but the trip isn't recommended for the faint of heart... or 2-wheel drive. I'd have to save it for another time.


The easy part of the road

I arrived and checked into my... tipi! Yes, I was staying in a tipi! It had no water, facilities or electricity (although one solar-powered light hung from above). But the shower was right outside as was the toilet (except for the fact that it was being remodeled so I had to go to the lodge). There were plenty of outlets in the lodge, but no cell phone service and only spotty internet. But I thought it was all amazing!


The lodge


My room for the night


My view


The solar panel that powered my light

After settling in, I decided to take a shower while the sun was still out.


The shower


The gravel was a bit hard on the feet but the water was decliciously warm!


There were two options for the hot water...


... The solar panel is on the left while the composter is on the right, both of which provide heat.


There was free shampoo and body wash in the shower!


The view overhead

I then spent a few hours in the Grand Room of the lodge, scavenging all the outlets to charge my batteries and equipment.

I made dinner reservations and pre-ordered a pizza from the menu. Apparently the menu changes based on what's in the garden. Everything is either home-grown or local. They also make their own bread, butter, cheese and jam.

When I arrived at my appointed time of 6:15, I was again handed a menu. I said I had already ordered. Suddenly a guy from the kitchen yells out "she's the one who ordered a pizza." My waiter then informs me that the pizza oven is broken. However, they are happy to make a pizza-like appetizer. Uh... ok, sounds good. He then asks when I want it. Um... now would be nice (since I had already waited a while for my reservation time). It takes about 20 minutes but finally they bring it to me... in a box. Eventually the confusion is sorted out. Apparently the restaurant (Sweet Water Kitchen) is separate from the lodge. People often just come here to eat who aren't staying here... and pizzas (or the like) are usually exclusively meant for take-out.


Quite fresh and delicious!

I was told the sky had been clear the past several nights so there was a good chance of seeing the Milky Way. Plus, it wasn't as cold as it had been on some of my past nights. I got up at 4 am and propped the camera up on a tripod just outside of my 'door' to see what I could get.


The light begins to fade.


Being at elevation (probably around 6,700 feet) helped with the crispness of the night sky.


The breathtaking Milky Way

returncontinue