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Show Vernal Express Wednesday, December 17, 2008 I ii i in i ' i"' i! hji mi , u n i I.,- .,. , . ,.,. . I, Taylor Mtn. Continued from CIO We arrive at a side-track that looks manageable heading off to the west, and on a lark I take it. It's rough, but I'm no stranger to mountain roads and we dive into the wilds with abandon. After a couple of forks the road becomes deeply rutted, however, and our progress is thwarted. Our adventure-lust unsa-tiated, unsa-tiated, even a bit frustrated, we head off on the hoof, determined to see what lays beyond the next vale. And the next. The snow deepens as we plunge into a thick pine and aspen forest, and we sense that we're nearing the rim of the gorge. The temperature rises dramatically and a quiet stillness settles in. We follow a set of cat tracks, probably bobcat, and watch them following a rabbit, obviously frantic, running. Deer tracks cross 'the-"trail randomly, and squirrels have left near-trenches between twin trees in their frenetic fre-netic efforts at food storage and preparedness, like miniature Patriots, but without the guns. We come across a long and straight fence-line lined with heavy ponderosa pines heading off into the woods along an east-west east-west line. We decide to follow it westward. Large blocks of ice fill a hole in the dirt track we're on and we struggle to stay atop the ridge in the center of the cut, slipping sideways as we go. Slowly the land begins a subtle, but growing, downward slant. I can see a distant break in the foliage and push forward to confirm my suspicions, and almost before I'm prepared I'm standing at the edge of a 2,000 foot drop waving my arms .and shouting excitedly, momentarily abandoning sanity as the enormity enor-mity of the gaping wound that is Ashley Gorge spills out before me. Harsh rifts of stone cut the thin air, descending in long, bony spines into the bowels of the earth, red as a fresh cut, but coated in a healing white bandage. Far beneath us the snow-capped boulders of Ashley Creek string along the bottom of the canyon like some abandoned fantasy and I look for castle spires and pennants wafting in the thin breeze that breathes from below. I lie down at the edge of an overhanging stone and sneak my wary head over the edge for a look at the cliff below. Vertical stone for more than a thousand feet, undercutting where I lie harshly, then slowly easing out toward a tumble of stones and boulders that rush steeply toward to-ward the canyon floor pulls the blood from my head leaving me swaying, and I pull back. My coworker drops a small stone over the edge and we count. Eight seconds. It would be a long trip down with ample time to reconsider poor decisions. The sky streaks with bizarre clouds whose fingers curl toward the far rim and a few stray rays of sunlight illuminate a distant cliff as we eventually turn out backs on such magnificence and wander through the woods. Emboldened by the threat of a deadly fall we leave the safety of the known path and strike out into the trees, heading north toward my car and a reluctant retreat. As we descend after another hour of exploration, after reaching reach-ing the deeply snow-covered Red Cloud Loop road and other distant dis-tant destinations, the sun drops below the horizon, streaking a violent red and orange trail between be-tween clefts in the horizon, and I find my earlier apprehension has faded into nothing. Perhaps it was swallowed in the gorge. gparkervernal.com The Road: From downtown Vernal head west on main street until you reach 2500 West. Turn right and head north. The road heads straight through Maeser, then continues north through a cut in a ridge. Three miles beyond the cut Merkley Park road heads off to the left toward the mouth of Ashley Gorge. Stay to the right. When you pass a large pullout with several empty interpretive sign structures and enter Ashley National Forest the road changes to the Taylor Mountain Road. From here you can explore the top of Taylor Mountain, with almost limitless options. The Details: This is high altitude country with varying weather patterns that can change abruptly. Wear season-appropriate clothing and bring gear for rain or snow. Carry water, sunscreen, and bug repellent in the summer. In winter you can leave the bug repellent home, but the sunscreen may still be necessary due to altitude. The main road eventually connects with the Red Cloud Loop, but the many side-roads allow for days of exploration. Almost every road leading west will eventually reward you with spectacular views of Ashley Gorge, but a 4x4 will probably be necessary unless you are willing to hike. Hiking will present its own special rewards, however, allowing you to experience the silence of the thick forests and heightening the likelihood of seeing see-ing wildlife. As always, use extra caution around cliffs and other hazards as a fall from such a height would most certainly be fatal. Express Writer Tabatha Deans The sun breaks through the cloud cover atop Taylor Mountain on Friday, illuminating strands of mist enjoys the view. (Gary Parker that reach toward the gently rolling mountain top. 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