Heading north through Utah!

Skyline Drive, Wasatach Plateau

Leaving Bryce Canyon National Park heading north through Dixie National Forrest, we entered a valley as we drove up CR22 north to SR62 Fishlake National Forest then to CR24. As we passed Deer Creek State Park we went through little towns like Koosharem, Antimony and Richfield where we stayed in town to provision up, did laundry and ate Mexican. Next morning we had a quick coffee- fueled up and drove over to Fish Lake in search of a campsite. Fish Lake owes its existence to geological forces deep within the earth.

Wasatach Plateau

The basin is quite beautiful and Fish Lake occupies a basin surrounded by steep-sided mountains. The basin was formed when a section of land lying between fault lines along the base of Mytoga Mountains on the south, and Fish Lake Hightop to the north dropped. This down-drop block is called a graben (gra'ben).

Mytoga Mountains on the right, Fish Lake shallows

The graben was not formed by a sudden shift of the earth's crust, but was a result of movement along both faults over a period of many millions of years. Water trapped on the surface of the graben created Fish Lake.

Scenic at every turn Fish lake is one of Utah's premier trout fishing "go-tos" stocked with rainbow and Mackinaw trout, yellow perch and native mottled sculpin. We camped above the lake water line at Mackinaw Campground. This rocky, hilly site was home for two nights as we explored the area on foot as well as on bike. A well marked trail along the waters edge is a great way to get around on bike or foot.. Fish Lake lodge was a short walk from our camp site. Completed in 1932 this was once the largest wooden structure west of the Mississippi. Logs cut during the summer out of Pelican Canyon and the northeast side of the lake were skidded across the ice in winter to the lodge's current site. The massive log structure was a dance hall and eating place in its hay day, today it holds a general store, interpretive center, restaurant and a small marina.

One of three rivers spawning grounds.

Here three rivers connect and the spawning mackinaw trout swim upstream in shallow rivers, shallow enough to pluck them out of the water with your bare hands. Biking I headed north along the lake's edge trail and encountered the shallow side of the lake. It tapers to a thin ribbon of water flowing through this pristine natural lake, eventually ending in the Colorado River.

Mackinaw Campground, Fish Lake

Leaving the area we drove north on a dirt road FS640 through seven mile Saddle Pass road and Mt Terril, elev 11547ft. Here we parked on an overlook and connected to the internet (first time in a couple of days). Continuing on we ventured north to Salina for fuel and supplies. Going north on hwy 89 we entered Redmond where we went off road to connect with Skyline Dr across the top of Wasatach Plateau in the Fishlake National Forest. We had incredible vistas on both sides of the 60 mile plus dirt road which took us through open range country for beef and sheep. Around Ferron Res. we crossed paths with a huge, herd of sheep accompanied by 4 working trusty sheep dogs, Great White Pyranees.

Dogs guard their sheep herd, as hail falls.

One dog stood stoically and majestically in the center of the road as sheep meander across it. The two other dogs took time to rest at the end of the pack while the fourth was out in front leading the sheep on their way. What a site to see as these dogs were on point keeping a close eye on their task at hand as we saw no humans in sight.

Water crossing Fishlake National Forest

Pushing on we descended to the east side, switch backs and tight turns we found ourselves at Joe's Valley Res and campground.

Skyline Drive Wasatach Plateau

In the morning we pushed on, east and north to Castle Dale and Huntington Lake through the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Scenic Utah doesn't disappoint!!!