Scenic Drive: Red Cloud Loop

Guest blogger Jessi Perry took this scenic drive, and wrote up this post for us. (She earns triple points in our summer contest for writing up this post!):

Photo by Jessi Perry

The Red Cloud Loop begins about 14 miles North of Vernal, and goes in a Western loop. It is partially a dirt or gravel road, but not a really rough road, and easy to travel on. It leads you to a town called Maeser, which can be reached by heading west on UT-121 from US-191. Once in Maeser head North on 3500 West Street which will become a canyon in 3 miles. When you come to a fork in the road continue to the right on Red Cloud Loop Road. For the next 10 miles the road will climb up to Dry Fork Overlook, overlooking Brownie Canyon.

Photo by Jessi Perry

You will go through mountains, sandstone cliffs, rugged canyons, and if you are lucky you will see wildlife. There were some Native american Petroglyphs as well but we didn't see them this time. They are on private property, but the owner lets visitors come as long as they are respectful. There are also places to camp and picnic. You will pass meadows and forests of pines and aspens, and some Creeks and streams for fishing or wading in. We even passed an area where a huge pond had formed with lily pads all over it in a meadow. It was really pretty, I don't think it would exist all the time but we had a lot of water this year and I think that is why it was there. The Red Cloud Loop took us through Ashley National Forest. You will follow the rim of Hole-in-the-wall canyon.

As you finish the loop, almost back to town, there is a park called Remember the Maine Park. It has picnic tables and a playground. And on the mountainside across from the park is "Remember the Maine" on the face of the cliff. It is really a neat memorial. The drive completes on US-191 as well.

It is a great drive and it took us about 2 hours.