Sunday, November 18, 2018

Fall Day at Navajo Lake and Cedar Breaks National Monument

Saturday, September 28th, it was a gorgeous fall day in Utah.  We decided to drive down to St. George to get my bike looked at.  My brakes kept squeaking so we wanted them checked out.  Unfortunately, as we were driving down, we found out that the serviceman was not in that day and I'd have to go back the following week.  So, we adjusted our plans on the fly while on the road and headed over to Highway 14 to see Navajo Lake and Cedar Breaks National Monument and then over to Cedar City for groceries.
Before we left, we looked out the window and got a kick out of this dog driving a Class A rig...isn't this hilarious??!?!?!
The first spot was Navajo Lake at Duck Creek.  Scott's parents took him and his siblings there from San Diego when they were little kids so we wanted to check it out.  Looking at the lake, it looks as though they have dammed up part of it.  The water level was quite low and the depth is only 25 feet.  But, it was a pristine area tucked up in the mountains east of Cedar City where people fish for trout, boat, swim and camp.  Navajo Lake was formed by a lava flow and drains into the Great Basin and Colorado River drainage systems through sinkholes in the lake floor.
Navajo Lake is part of the Dixie National Forest which is prevalent in Southern Utah.  You can get a campsite at Navajo Lake here.  They have 12 campsites with picnic table and fire rings; 4 double sites with  picnic table and fire rings; 11 walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings.  There's drinking water, flush toilets and a garbage.  Also, Navajo Lake Lodge is close by for groceries or a place to stay if camping or glamping isn't your thing.
There is also Spruces Campground at Navajo Lake also.  They have 24 campsites, 1 double site and 3 walk-in tent sites all with picnic tables and fire rings.  There's also drinking water, flush toilets and garbage with day use parking area.
After that, we came to the Cedar Breaks sign and so we took a detour to see this beautiful national landmark at Brian Head.  What a fabulous place this was.  The view were stunning at 10,350 feet up!  It was COLD up here, though and we didn't have coats.  Scott had a sweater in the car so I grabbed that!  Brrr.  The visitor center was a cute, old cabin...full of people.  So, even though it was cold, the parking lot was nearly full.
Cedar Breaks has a lot of vantage points.  We just stayed by the Information Visitor Center and the Point Supreme Overlook.
Following Cedar Breaks National Monument, we enjoyed a lovely drive through the canyon just before we dipped down in Cedar City.  What's a GREAT drive down Hwy 14 during the fall!
It was fun to walk down memory lane with Scott at Navajo Lake and enjoy stunning Cedar Break and enjoy just a perfectly glorious fall drive in Southern Utah!  The sunset was also stunning!  Such a great day!

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