Southern Utah Xmas Ventures - Day 3 - The Colorado River and Castle Valley

Today has been a very relaxed easy day ahead of the drive to Capitol Reef National Park tomorrow. We decided to visit the local shopping scene and enjoy brunch at Cactus Jacks, before heading out this afternoon to the Colorado River and Castle Valley.

I had read about paddling along the Colorado River in an area called Castle Valley near Moab some years ago. This route turned out to be the breathtaking and dramatic Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (Route 128) just north of Moab. It hugs the red rock cliffs of the river gorge and 'dramatic' is probably an understatment. We kept asking if daily patrols check for newly fallen boulders, because we were definitley in the path of travel of these rocks! 16 miles in we turned into Castle Valley to discover the lone standing Castleton Tower and the adjacent thin butte called The Rectory.

FYI some movie trivia - this is the location for Bon Jovi's Blaze of Glory video and Austin Powers helicopter scene for Goldmember!!