Boulder Mountain Lodge and Hell's Backbone Grill
What to say about Boulder Mountain Lodge and Hell's Backbone Grill? Not enough words for so many things to cherish: many windows in our airy, dog-friendly, lux room looking out to a variety of birds floating safely in a wetland pond; love-filled farm-to-table food (even in the off season) to replenish body and soul after wandering the vast, magnificent landscape; brilliant, crisp, star-filled nights sitting in a bubbly, hot tub with cats stopping by to say hi. It is the home base for all of the best things in the world. Really, if I could have only one thing it would be Boulder, Utah.
From Boulder head towards Bryce on Highway 12 -"A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway." Highway 12 leads to Capitol Reef National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park and connects humans to portions of the majestic Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (If you think we should drill or shrink or do something other than protect this place, you haven't visited or you are out of your mind.)
Exit Boulder to white dome tops and then back down down into red canyons. Follow a spine to a ridge to a hogback where both sides of the road drop deep down into winding, horseshoe canyons. After a few minutes and a few "turn or die" moments, descend to Calf Creek Campground and Lower Calf Creek Falls trailhead.
The Lower Calf Creek Falls hike winds around the flat and sandy creek bed for three miles until it dead-ends into the falls.
Just go! Lenses and mirrors can't do justice, especially in the drab winter.
The falls drop more than 100 feet. We had them all to ourselves. What a way to spend New Year's Eve!
Our feet and knees paid the price for 6-miles walking in the sand but it was worth it!
So lucky to know just a teeny piece of this precious place.
