Monte Cristo to Providence Canyon

smfulle

Active Member
Location
Plain City, UT
On July 2nd I did another fun trail ride. This time I took along a couple of friends from work, Robert and Erica, and Robert’s Toyota pickup. They said they would like to see some of the territory I covered the week before that I described in this thread: http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?104155-Monte-Cristo-to-Blacksmith-Fork


We started out on route 059, the same as the previous trip, taking a side trip to on the road to Running Water Spring (route 192). This little side loop was pretty fun, a little bit more challenging that the main route, with some climbs, rocks and roots to bump over. The road wound around until we got back on 059. 059 is a pretty good road that you could take your average SUV on with no trouble at all. (My Dad would have taken his Delta 88 on 059, but it was a company car and he used it hard.)





Following the same route as my previous trip we made it to the top of the ridiculously rough road down Left Hand Fort of Blacksmith Fork. We decided not to take it because Robert’s Toyota currently has a small front drive-line problem that we didn't want to chance. Here’s the sign at the top though.





We continued north on 105 until the turn off onto 056 toward Old Ephraim’s Grave. (For those of you that don’t know, Old Ephraim was the name of the supposed last grizzly bear in Utah. He traveled the area feasting on local cattle and sheep until a local guy hunted him down and killed him on this spot, I think sometimein the 1920’s. It says on the marker, but my photo is too awful to read.)



After eating our lunch at the marker, we headed back south and then turned onto 147 to head over towards the back of Logan Peak, and Providence Canyon. Started taking some more photos, since this was new territory for us.

















I’m always having a good time when I’m driving Grampa’s Jeep!



The fuel tank in Grampa’s Jeep is pretty small. Good thing I had an extra supply along. Here’s where I ran out and had to gas up.



Sometimes you just have to stop and talk a bit.



We finally got over west and headed down 022 through Providence Canyon. This is a VERY rough road. For most of the ride down I just put it in 4wd low and took my feet off the pedals and let Grampa’s Jeep crawl down. Here’s some video I took while crawling along. The road is much steeper than it looks in the video, and rougher.


[video=youtube;FdWvm85OUJo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdWvm85OUJo[/video]Insert Providence Canyon video here.


We finally came out at what some people call the Rock Quarry.



Did a little climbing and messing at the Rock Quarry.


[video=youtube;FR3fLSQih7Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR3fLSQih7Y[/video]

[video=youtube;rSA8RxYTIE8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSA8RxYTIE8[/video]




We didn't stay there long because Robert had to get back for work so we went on down the canyon and out into Providence. Sent Robert down Sardine Canyon so he could get back to work, then Erica and I took the Avon Road back to Ogden Valley where I dropped her at her car then headed home to Plain City.


It was near 5pm when I got home. I had started out at 6:30am and in between put about 195 miles on my little 1948 Willys CJ2A. it performed flawlessly and the ride was great. There are still lots of road to explore up in that area, and I’m sure that I’ll be back.
 

moab_cj5

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Thanks for the post! I love that area up there. There are tons of fun areas to explore up there, and some areas I haven't been to yet (Peter Sinks is one I will go to this year).

Providence Canyon is a rough ride! Going down is a lot easier than going up. Glad you guys made it down ok.
 
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