Day 36, Scenic drive

Decided to take a driving tour today along the “

Patchwork Highway

”, Hwy 143. It garnered its name from an incident in the 1890’s when settlers, desperate for food, left Panguitch, and crossed a valley to the north in midwinter using handmade quilts laid atop deep snow. They reached Parowan and brought food back to save the people of Panguitch.

Drove by Panguitch Lake where there were several large, beautiful log homes (Hollywood getaways?).

Turned down Hwy 148 to Cedar Breaks National Monument.

Cedar Breaks was established in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. We found out that National Monuments are declared by Presidents and National Parks are created by Congress.

We stopped at the historic Visitor Centre, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, and offers interpretive exhibits and monument information. We walked out a short way to Point Supreme, elevation 10,350 ft, which commands a sweeping view of the Cedar Breaks Amphitheatre.

We stopped off at Zion Outlook, which gave us a preview of Zion tomorrow.

After continuing down 148, to Hwy 14 we turned right towards Cedar City. Once in Cedar City, we found a Wal-Mart Super centre where were able to stock up on groceries (at reasonable prices).

There was a lovely Visitor Centre with helpful, friendly staff. Marcel & Ken toured the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum.

Back to

Scenic Hwy

14. We stopped at Navajo Lake scenic overlook. The original lake was formed when lava flowed across the east end of the valley. After thousands of years, the lake still has no open outlet. Water leaves through a series of sinkholes. The dike across the lake (light green line) was built in 1933 to provide adequate water for fishing and recreation.

When we got back to the campground it was HOT! 30C!!!