We’re very conflicted about leaving here this morning. We’re camped in a beautiful high mountain forest where the temperature is mild. I anticipate southern Utah to be a hot desert with little to no shade at a lower elevation with much higher temperatures. Knowing that it’s only going to get hotter as the summer approaches we get on the road. Travel is good, mostly downhill.
Along the route is the Pipe Springs National Monument. It had been a water source used by people for hundreds of years. The early Mormon settlers built a fort over the spring and piped it to an internal room. The water flowing through the room would regulate the temperature, making it an excellent storeroom for dairy and produce. The fort supplied much of the dairy products to the construction workers in St. George who were building the temples there. The tour was lead by a ranger very knowledgeable in the history of the fort. I was extremely disappointed when we finally entered the ‘spring’ room to find it not flowing. I inquired and learned that a few years ago a public water system well had been installed not far away and lowered the water table so the spring quit flowing. The NPS has installed a pumped water system to the fort however it was currently shut off due to improvements being made for access around the fort.
As we approached our destination we entered the valley and were amazed at all how much greener the valley was with actual trees as opposed to the desert flora we’ve been driving through. The campground is in the town of Hurricane Utah, somewhat centrally located for my activities over the next few days. Very nice for a campground. Much more of a trailer park feel with paved roads, concrete pads and grass between sites. Quite a few large shade trees as well.
Got settled and ran out for dinner. Ended up at a grocery store, got dinner and returned to park.
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