Many of you are probably wondering how you will fill the hours that aren't taken up by wedding-specific activities. Well, your troubles are over.
Hiking
The area around Torrey is an incredible place for those who like to get out and interact with the world on their feet. Please be aware that you are a long way from home. Cell service is spotty at best, bring LOTS of water, wear sunblock. It is good to bring a map and understand how to use it. Maps are available at the National Park Visitor Center, the Chuckwagon in Torrey, sometimes at the various gas stations, and at the Forest Service office in Loa. It is likely to be very hot in the afternoons, so go early or late in the day, or head up into the higher elevations where it is cooler. Remember that no dogs are allowed within the National Park. Other than that, there are no rules. A favorite thing to do is to drive until it's beautiful, then get out and walk. There are thousands of miles of dirt roads and 2-tracks that are much nicer to walk on than drive on. The options for hiking are limitless, but here are some of our favorites:
Capitol Gorge Easy, flat walk into beautiful sandstone canyon. Located at the end of the scenic drive in CRNP. Hot!
Grand Wash Similar to Capitol Gorge, though you have the option of walking all the way through from the scenic drive to Hwy 24 (out-and-back or car shuttle or hitchhiking required for that). Also hot!
Pleasant Creek Another lovely canyon, with a perennial stream flowing through it. Not as well-marked a trail as Capitol Gorge or Grand Wash. Follow the dirt road at the end of the scenic drive (2wd OK), past the new research station and park when you come to the creek. Walk downstream.
Pleasant Creek (Boulder Mtn.) There is a nice system of trails and dirt roads around Pleasant Creek higher up Boulder Mountain. These range from easy to difficult, but will generally take you through aspen and pine forests, through meadows and alongside various small creeks. For the particularly ambitious, you could hike all the way up to Meeks Lake on the Boulder Top (the huge plateau that caps Boulder Mountain, 10,000-11,000 feet elevation) and go for a dip. Follow Hwy 12 south towards Boulder Town, turn right just past the Wildcat Ranger Station / Visitor Info Cabin (about 25-30 minutes). This dirt road is not recommended for 2wd, so park your rental at the signboard by the highway. Frankly even with 4wd the road stinks.
Hell's Hole Area There are a great many roads and trails weaving around the area known as Hell's Hole, just north of Torrey on the edge of Thousand Lakes Mtn. Head north on Sand Creek Rd. out of Torrey and bear left after about 3/4 mile at the Forest Service sign. This dirt road gets worse and worse the further you go and branches in many directions. Head left to follow Sand Creek towards Hell's Hole, a crazy sandstone web of tiny canyons and drainages or head right towards Sulphur Basin and eventually up onto Thousand Lakes Mtn. It's a long walk (or very rough drive) to get all the way up into the higher elevations.
Oak Creek Similar to the Pleasant Creek area, there is a large network of roads and trails in the area of Oak Creek up on Boulder Mountain. Drive south on Hwy 12 for about 35 minutes and follow the Oak Creek Rd. up from the highway or down from Oak Creek CG. Aspen and pine forests, meadows, desert views, deer and elk, small creeks.
Navajo Knobs A strenuous hike in CRNP that will take you on to the top of the sandstone reef itself. Great views and many small side canyons to get lost in once you're up there.
Walking
If you're looking for a shorter, mellower outing, there are some great places to just park the car, stretch your legs and go for a short wander.
Fruita Orhcards Located around the campground and along Hwy 24 in CRNP, the historic Fruita orchards are a lovely place to go for a stroll and maybe pick a little fruit. The orchards are located along Sulphur Creek and the Fremont River and beneath towering red rock cliffs. There is ample shade and you can inquire at the visitor center as to which orchards (if any) have ripe fruit--cherries and apricots are the most likely, but it's still a little early.
Fruita Petroglyphs Located along Hwy 24 in the Park, there is a wooden boardwalk that will take you to a viewing area. These petroglyphs (rock art) are in the neighborhood of 1000 years old and were left by the Fremont culture.
Torrey Town Torrey town itself had a nice mix of historic, unique and astonishing buildings to look at, as well as a few art galleries and shops. The enormous cottonwood trees along Main St. provide abundant shade, but there are no actual sidewalks so be careful along here. Check out Gallery 24 and the Torrey Gallery, a few blocks east of the church for work by local artists.
Fishing
Though you may be in the middle of the desert, there are a lot of great places to fish if you bring along your gear. The Fremont River holds a nice population of Rainbow and Brown trout, but the water can often be muddy or cloudy. Be careful of private property, there's a lot of it through the valley. Try the Bicknell Bottoms west of Torrey. Additionally, there are an incredible amount of lakes on Boulder Mtn., almost all of which have good numbers of trout. They can be hard to reach by car as most of the roads on the mountain are in disrepair. Lower Bowns Reservoir is one of the easiest to reach. Go south on Hwy 12 from Torrey about 30 minutes and head left when you see the signs for Lower Bowns (just past Wildcat Guard Station). The road is generally not too bad, but remember you can always park and walk. The best thing to do is grab a map of the Boulder, pick a lake and go for it. A little further drive are Forsyth and Mill Meadow Reservoirs, and UM Creek and the Fremont River where they enter and exit these reservoirs. They are located north of the town of Fremont. Go north on Hwy 72 out of Loa, pass through Fremont, and then follow the signs. If you want some more specifics, ask Ian, and he'll try to point you in a direction.
Scenic Drives
If the idea of getting out of an air-conditioned car seems terrifying or you're too hung over to contemplate walking, there is a wealth of scenic loops you could drive. These tend to take you a long way from town--bring plenty of water and snacks and a map. Cell coverage is often non-existent so be prepared.
Torrey > Highway 12 > Boulder Town > Burr Trail > Notom Road > Hwy 24 > Torrey
Possibly one of the most beautiful drives on earth. Head south on 12 from Torrey and go up and over Boulder Mtn. Incredible views of red rock desert and the Henry Mountains, as well as the La Sal and Abajo Mtns. on clear days. Then down to Boulder town and left on the Burr Trail through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Up and over the Waterpocket Fold, then left on Notom Rd. and north through Capitol Reef to Hwy. 24. Left again, winding along the Fremont River back to Torrey. Mountains, canyons, desert, river, small towns, etc. This will take more or less all day, but is OK in a 2wd. Stop at the Burr Trail Grill in Boulder for lunch.
Torrey > Hwy 12 > Boulder > Hell's Backbone Rd. > Awapa Plateau > Bicknell > Hwy 24
You'll probably want 4wd for this one, although it's not definitely necessary. Follow Hwy 12 over the Boulder and through Boulder Town. A few miles south of town, head right on the Salt Gulch / Hell's Backbone Rd. This will take you out along the south side of Boulder Mountain, where you will pass some amazing sandstone formations. Take a right on FS Rd. # 0145 towards Bicknell and go north through pine forest and sagebrush desert along the west side of Boulder Mt. and the Awapa Plateau. Stay on this road all the way back to Bicknell and Hwy 24. Take a right on 24 to return to Torrey. This is another all day adventure.
Swimming
It's going to be HOT! Here are a couple swimming holes for the adventurous.
Fremont River Though we make no claims as to the cleanliness of the water, a dip in the Fremont can make a scorching-hot afternoon a whole lot nicer. Feel free to wade in anywhere that's not private property. A good place with many deeper holes is east of Hwy 12. Follow Hwy 12 south out of Torrey for a few miles. Park in the pull out on the left when you get to the river. Follow the trail east along the river or just make your own way.
Lower Bowns Reservoir Located on the east slope of Boulder Mountain, this is a nice sized lake that isn't too cold and fairly easy to get to. Follow 12 south from Torrey about 25-30 minutes. Just after Wildcat Guard station turn left where you see the signs for Lower Bowns. This road is usually in pretty good shape. Drive all the way to the reservoir or as far as you like and walk the rest of the way.
Boulder Mtn. Lakes There are hundreds of lakes on Boulder Mountain, all cold and all refreshing on a hot day. Grab a map and plan a short hike to one for a swim. Suggestions for shorter hike possibilities: Pine Creek Lake, Long Lake, Steep Creek Lake, or Horseshoe Lake on the Boulder Top.
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