I thought it would be fun to comment on the history of the Monte Cristo area and how it got the name, but deep, scientific and historical research totaling minutes (yes, technically anything more than 1 is “minutes”) of googling failed to come up with a definitive account. Suffice to say, the name has been around since the 1890s and no one knows if it refers to the book, other Monte Cristo mountains around the world or gold/silver mines operating in the west around that time. Matters not, we’re still gonna enjoy the beautiful mountain views and crisp air on Saturday, 24 June.
Lets start in Salt Lake City at the Speedway Station, 965 Beck St in SLC. I know…its kind of on the north end of town, but they have a large parking area, traffic light protected access to Hwy 89 and it will put us beyond the traffic and stoplights of the downtown area to start our convoy of LBCs headed north.
Lets meet there at 8:30 for a 9 am departure. We’ll travel up 89/106 along the east bench foothills stopping at Rainbow Gardens at the mouth of Ogden Canyon to meet up with the northern contingent. We’ll depart Rainbow Gardens at 10:30 to head up the canyon on SR 39 through Huntsville and then right on the east end of town to continue up SR39 to Monte Cristo. We’ll go as far as the Monte Cristo Scenic Overlook (about milepost 45) where we can take in the view and maybe get a cool group photo at the overlook. We’ve gone as far as the big campground before, but I’m not optimistic it will be open in the next week or so. In fact, I’ll need to see if the giant six foot snowbank has melted at the overlook before next Saturday. We’ll have an alternate plan just in case.
From the overlook we’ll head back down the hill to arrive at the Causey Reservoir turnoff around 1230 for lunch at Red Rock Taco where they serve, you guessed it… tacos! They’ve only been open a couple of weeks so you won’t likely find them in an internet search. But that’s okay cause it’s a post card sized menu where you get a choice of protein and a salad bar style fixins station to dress ‘em up however you like. I stopped in and had a chat with them last week and they’re eager to have us come in. The gentleman I spoke with even had a Triumph of his own back in the day.
After lunch its head home by any way you want … as long as the way you want is west on SR39, cause I’m pretty sure that’s the only way out. Back into Huntsville and you can head over Trappers look to access I-84 or continue into Ogden and back down Hwy 89.
Looking forward to the drive. Hope to see you there!