Burr-Raving the Burr Trail

Before we begin any trip we make sure our gas tank is full, our camera batteries are charged, and we have plenty of water and food.  We have a four-wheel drive jeep and my Hubby is anxious to explore some of Utah's back roads.  So, we check with the Visitor Center in Capitol Reef National Park for current road and weather conditions*. We learn the Cathedral Valley Road is impassable due to recent rains. However, both the Burr Trail and the Notom Road are passable and the weather forecast is sunny and dry.  

Our plan for today is to drive a loop route starting in Torrey at the intersection of UT-24 and UT-12 and drive south to the town of Boulder where we will turn east onto the Burr Trail and then north on the Notom-Bullfrog Road and finally west on UT-24 where we will return to Torrey.

**Map of Loop Drive

The Burr Trail was originally a rough cattle trail with elevations ranging between 3,900 to 6,675 feet. Today, the first 31 miles are paved and then it becomes a primitive dirt road for the next 22 miles and returns to a paved road for the remainder of the drive.  The ride might be bumpy in spots.  So, buckle up those seat belts because it's time to hit the trail ...

Access to the Burr Trail is in the town of Boulder.  The Burr Trail connects the town of Bounder with the town of Bullfrog.  This 66 mile scenic road passes through colorful canyons and pine-covered plateaus within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Capitol Reef National Park.  

Map of Burr Trail

Shortly after we turn onto the Burr Trail, we enter the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. 

We come to a small turn off that overlooks the canyon and the road below.  This pull-out has limited parking space but it is a popular place to stop and photograph the view. 

As soon as we leave the National Monument, we enter Capitol Reef National Park.  It is at this point that the paved road becomes a dirt road. 

 Entering Capitol Reef NP

Driving through Long Canyon

Panoramic of Long Canyon Area

We decide to explore one of the primitive spur roads that branch off from the Burr Trail - the Upper Muley Twist Canyon Road.  The going is slow as we drive along the rock-studded dirt road.  Even though the weather is dry, there are a couple of areas where our vehicle fishtails through the muddy sections.  The road alternates between higher ground and following arroyos (dry stream beds – at least for now).  After 20 minutes (1.6 miles), we reach a really rocky area in the road.  I’ve had enough of this.  It’s time to get back to the Burr Trail.  The Peek-A-Boo Arch is near the Upper Muley Twist Canyon Road and is visible from the Burr Trail.

 Road to Upper Muley Twist Canyon

Peek-A-Boo Arch

Next, we arrive at the Burr Trail switchbacks.  It is a 12% grade dropping over 800’ in about one mile.

We reach a fork in the road.  The Burr Trail continues to the right toward Bullfrog Basin and the Notom-Bullfrog Road continues to the left toward UT-24.

We turn north onto Notom-Bullfrog Road.   This road goes along the east side of the Waterpocket Fold in Capitol Reef National Park.   It is getting late in the day and the sun has gone behind the mountain placing the road in shadows.  We do see a full moon rising above the eastern mountain ridge.  

 Notom Road

Notom Road

Moonrise on Notom Road

Once we reach UT-24, we turn west toward Torrey where we spend the night at the Torrey Schoolhouse B&B. 

To view a Mile-By-Mile guide of the Burr Trail, click on the following link:

Burr Trail Mile Guide

For information and photos on places we visited in southern Utah, I invite you to view my other blog posts by clicking on the following links:

Utah's Scenic Highway 12

Capitol Reef NP

Bryce Canyon NP

Goblin Valley State Park

Grafton UT - A BOO-tiful Spot for a Ghost Town

Arches NP

*Before travelling any back road, visitors are advised to contact a local Visitor Center for current information on the area, weather, and road conditions.   

**Image of map was taken from the PDF brochure titled, "A Route Guide to Scenic Byway 12". produced by the Scenic Byway 12 Foundation.  Print your free brochure by visiting their website at www.ScenicByway12.com.