Oct. 5th – Our monthly trip to Cedar City for groceries and supplies for the store. It was extremely windy ahead of this storm. The days shopping proceeded with the rain starting mid day. By 3 PM we had finished and since it was 3 hrs earlier than Tracy thought we would finish, he wanted to go home over Brian Head. That summit is 11,000 ft.
Ever the photographer, he was curious about the colors of the fall foliage – so off we went.
All the signs on Hwy 143 said “route open”, but I kept thinking, “yes, but isn’t this the first real storm of the season?” As we rose in elevation, the temperature went down and the precipitation went from rain, to sleet, to snow. Being the first snow the road was still fairly warm and the snow was mostly slush – but it wouldn’t take long to turn to ice. Tracy is a great driver, but nervous ninnie here kept knitting.
Obviously, we made it across and down to Panguitch. The fall foliage was beautiful, especially with the snow on the lava mounds and the pale golden leaves glowing against the snow-covered limbs and contrasting snow dusted spruce limbs. Amazing memories and that’s what they’ll be. No camera onboard.
There was at least two inches by the time we descended and the Utah Commuter Links camera shows about 6” now. Welcome to winter. Roads are plowed – they do such a great job of keeping our access open.
Supposed to be nice for Sunday and Monday. Most of the slot canyons will be wet and mucky, but Lower Calf Creek Falls should be beautiful. And, of course, the fall foliage is hanging on, but will go quickly with the winds.
