Muley Point at Sunrise |
Muley Point is a remote scenic overlook atop Cedar Mesa offering jaw dropping vistas of Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. It's legal to camp up there for free, however, there are no facilities, no water, no picnic tables and no shade. Just quite, majestic views of Monument Valley, the San Juan River, and Cedar Mesa. To get there, just turn west on Muley Point Road (not sign posted) off of Highway 261 right at the top of the Moki Dugway. The point is about 5 miles out on a bumpy, but easily navigated gravel road. You know you have arrived when the ground drops steeply away.
Suwei and I got out there just as the sun was setting. There was one other person there shooting a few photos, but by the time we got Keira out of the car he had already packed up his stuff and headed back down the road. It would have been nice to get there a little earlier to set up the tent and maybe have a beer, but as it was I went straight for the camera and tripod to see what I could capture.
The next morning the sunrise was equally as impressive as the sunset. Even better since I got up nice and early to watch the entire show unfold.
I've done a bit of research to see where the name, "Muley Point" came from, but have failed to come up with anything conclusive. I did learn that muley means, "hornless". It can also be a hornless cow. I'm guessing the point is named after some guy named Muley. Here are some of the Photos:
Muley Point at Sunset |
View of Monument Valley from Muley Point, Utah |
Last remnants of the sun at Muley Point, Southern Utah. |
The San Juan River from Muley Point |
Our Campsite at Muley Point, Utah |
Time to go! Where to next Dad? |
Check out these earlier posts from our 2011 Fall Road Trip:
Fall Road Trip 2011 - California to Colorado
Fall Road Trip 2011 - Part II - Misc. Colorado Including Grand Mesa
Fall Road Trip 2011 - Part III - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Telluride & The Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Hovenweep National Monument
Valley of the Gods & The Moki Dugway
Click below for the slideshow. There are 22 photos in there.
Fall Road Trip 2011 - Camping at Muley Point, Utah |