Climbing the Moki Dugway . . . again.

Old Henry

Old Henry

Well-known member
My final "shake down" cruise before my Alaska trip next month. 811 miles in two days. Camped in my tent with car batteries powering my CPAP just fine. I did this trip three years ago to Monument Valley (http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99523) but have honed my videography skills some since and have produced this much better video of climbing the Moki Dugway on UT 261 between Mexican Hat and Hanksville. It climbs 1,200 feet elevation in three miles on 10-11% grades. It is by far the most breathtaking three mile stretch of any road I've driven. Hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ8LXfq7rGk&feature=youtu.be (The video is in real time uncut - 9 minutes to drive the 3 miles.)

Here is my best attempt at showing the road on Google Earth. To view yourself on Google Earth search for Moki Dugway.

Moki%20Dugway_zpspbfytypt.jpg


Here are a few stills from the previous trip.

IMG_4998-R_zps8613114a.jpg


IMG_5010_zps9afa7f32.jpg


There are two dead cars in the bolders below the road in the above picture.

1400472742_2.jpg


IMG_5000_zpsf9a64a46.jpg


Someone else's photo that I like:

img_2581.jpg
 
Last edited:
Craig,

Spectacular! Utah should rightfully be referred to as 'God's Country'. Were you in third gear all the way up?
 
"It is be far the most breathtaking three mile stretch of any road I've driven."
I think the Sheafer Trail Would have taken that award.
At any rate as my wife said about the Sheafer. "No F'n way are we going on that." would also apply to this one. Great video by the way.
 
41ford1 said:
"It is be far the most breathtaking three mile stretch of any road I've driven."
I think the Sheafer Trail Would have taken that award.
At any rate as my wife said about the Sheafer. "No F'n way are we going on that." would also apply to this one. Great video by the way.
Click to expand...

Indeed. Shafer Trail is another breathtaker.

Here it is for anyone not familiar. It goes between Moab and Dead Horse Point. The big difference is it's not a main highway. The Moki Dugway is three miles of dirt road on otherwise paved state highway 261.

45287.jpg


d050164.jpg


I've driven it in other vehicles but not Old Henry. We tried a year ago but it was still closed for winter.

DSCN1991_zps4a7b18e8.jpg
 
Last edited:
petehoovie said:
Craig,

Spectacular! Utah should rightfully be referred to as 'God's Country'.
Click to expand...

That's actually what the locals that live there call it. And, "Valley of the Gods" that I drove through on the trip three years ago, is actually what you look down on from the Moki Dugway.

IMG_5000_zpsf9a64a46.jpg


Valley_of_the_Gods,_near_Bluff,_Utah.jpg
 
Barry-ct said:
I have to admire your guts to drive that! Most wouldn't even attempt that in a new car.
Click to expand...

When I was a kid Old Henry was actually called the "Climbing Car" as it is the one dad always drove us "off road" up into the foothills above our home. Then, one summer, my dad was a lumberjack and Old Henry was our "logging car" that drove us all over up in the mountains on very primitive roads. So, he's pretty experienced with this sort of thing.
 
Brendan said:
you could see John Wayne there!
Click to expand...

Truer than one might think. Gouldings Lodge at Monument Valley where I camped Friday night was where John Wayne and John Ford spent a lot of time filming movies. And, in fact, the museum there has a movie room, that was originally built as the mess hall for the crew of "The Harvey Girls", where a John Wayne and John Ford movie is always playing. http://www.gouldings.com/gouldings-history/museum/ And, old Brittle's Cabin there was used as John Wayne's personal quarters at the fort where he played the commanding officer in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon".
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top