The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway

I don’t recall what I was looking for when I stumbled upon the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway info. Whatever it was faded to an afterthought after seeing this pretty scenic loop. The fall colors really come and go very quickly, so fast I usually blink and miss it. We were available this weekend so we decided to go out and get some nature in.

The 38 mile byway starts in Payson Utah, and ends in Nephi. I didn’t really quite anticipate how far away that was. But it did really only take about an hour to get there so that is not too bad. Next time I go I think I will plan on camping.

Since this is a scenic drive, with limited area’s to pull off the road, quite a few of the images will be from my Drive By Photography (DBP) Album.

This is one of the first of many trail heads we did not do. For the most part, the Nebo Loop is really good with their signage to tell you what is in the area. What they fail on is providing how long the trails are. Well, to be honest most trails fail on that. If you don’t know beforehand, you are in for a surprise.

And here is the Grotto Trail that I did know about, so we did hike it. It was short enough that Ma decided to join us, and if it got too difficult she would turn back and wait.

We apparently missed most of the red leaves.

But not all.

And we made it to the waterfall. Its kind of a cool little waterfall. Set in a deep recess, hence its name.

This is what I had to contend with. It is a very crowded little trail!

All in all it is a pretty little trail. Short and somewhere between 1/2 to 2/3rds of a mile out and back. It’s a little rough, with some questionable bridges, but its short and has a pretty waterfall at the end. My only complaint was the crowd. 7 out of 10 squirrels.

The next pit stop.

Payson Lake.

We made our own pull out here (as it was safe to do so.)

 

The is the Beaver Dam overlook. Yea, I don’t see a beaver dam either.

I saw some movement after taking this picture, then I swear I saw a moose head peak out, so I ran back to the truck to get my telephoto lens.

Cows. Darn.

 

The Utah Valley Overlook.

  

I believe this is the Bald Mountain Overlook.

Made a quick panoramic.

This was at another trailhead we didn’t do.

From the DBP album. This can’t be natural can it? Some farmer must have cut these terraces into the earth for some reason.

And the famed Mount Nebo. At 11,928 ft it is the tallest in the Wasatch Range.

We reached Devil’s Kitchen, the trail I was most looking forward to. at approximately 1 tenth a mile, completely paved, it is a super easy trail to do.

Do you see the small patches of snow up there? It is October, this is leftover from last year. I don’t think they will melt before the new snow comes in.

Devil’s Kitchen. The miniature Bryce Canyon. I had no idea this existed, and was so close. No need to go all the way to southern Utah to see red hoodoos.

 

I caught a rather loud bird looping through the hoodoos.

After the .1 mile trail you are left at this tiny little over look that only offers, well the above view of this fascinating little canyon. I really wanted to get a different angle. I noticed a little unpaved trail going down the side of the fenced off area. I am sure it is not an “authorized” trail but thought maybe?

Some more red rock across the valley.

It was a rather steep trail. A couple little offshoots back towards the canyon offer some slightly different angles. Other than that, from what I could tell, the trail went down, steeply mind you, for quite a while before possibly going around the ridge into the valley of Devil’s Kitchen. At which point, I speculate that you have to hike back up some to actually see anything. Then, you have to turn around and hike all the way back up this rather steep trail. I was really, REALLY tempted to keep going but resisted. Ma was waiting for us, and we didn’t want to worry her.

After making it back to the trailhead we continued down the loop.

 

This is the Salt Creek overlook. Again, I don’t see a creek. However, in the last image you can just make out Devil’s Kitchen towards the center.

Red Creek. (From the DBP album) I kind of wish we had stopped as this is rather fascinating. A red creek (obviously caused by running through the above area’s and dragging the minerals downstream) its just cool so see a rust red creek surrounded by normal scenery.

Upon exiting the canyon there was some other unique landscapes. (all 3 DBP album.)

This was a very beautiful and fascinating little drive, and I am really happy we did it. I do plan on returning sometime in the future to do some further exploring. I would highly recommend doing it.

While we were this far south we decided to finally check out Bridal Veil Falls in Provo, but as this post ran quite a bit longer than anticipated I will make that another post.

The overall drive gets a good 10 squirrels. It was just nice.