The Grand Staircase National Monument


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Recreation Road 262

Kaiparowits Plateau view
The start of the climb up Little Valley Canyon
The view of the Grand Bench
Incredible sunset
Leaving the end of 262
More grand views
Down some of the big rocks
First site of Lake Powell
About midway up the Little Valley Canyon climb
Near the end of 262
Amazing view of Lake Powell
Driving back across the Grand Bench
The top of Little Valley Canyon
The climb out of the other side of Little Valley Canyon
Dropping into Little Valley Canyon
Near the top of the climb out of Little Valley Canyon
Image of 1endof262.jpg
More amazing views of Lake Powell
White rock on 262
Dropping off the many ledges

I consider Recreation Road 262 as one of my greatest exploring adventures.  It has to be the most challenging and remote road I have ever dared to run by myself.  The intimidating climb through Little Valley Canyon, the seemingly endless road on the Grand Bench, and the amazing view of Lake Powell at the end will make this a trip I'll never forget.  


Paria River

The sign showing Paria is open to motor vehicles
A large rock in the streambed
A view of the Para River streambed
Squeezing through Bull Valley
Crossing Paria River
A scenic view by the Paria River
Playing in the Paria River
A fallen tree in Sheep Creek
View of Paria River
Splashing through Paria River
A frozen section in Sheep Creek
Streambed of Paria River open to Motor Vehicle Travel

My two runs through the Paria River Streambed rate high on my favorite adventure list.  On my first run in early January, 1999, the river was frozen wall to wall in many places.  It was very unnerving when the ice cracked under the weight of the 4Runner.  I returned and ran it again in June.  This time I had a blast splashing through this scenic, historical route.  I was hoping to get one more run but when I returned in August, the river was at an all time high due to recent storms.
Paria running high


More Grand Staircase Pictures

paria movie set
grosvenor 		Paria house


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