Utah Seasonal Roads Open….Except One

And then there was one. But it's the one I'm waiting for.

UDOT has been dutifully working to get all of our seasonal roads open as we make our way out of the valley and head to the mountains here in the Beehive State. I know we had a mild winter, especially here in the southern portion of the state, but even in a transition year like this, the wait to hit the mountain roads can seem long.

A lot of folks up north wait for the opening of the Mirror Lake highway for recreation opportunities near the Wyoming boarder. Or perhaps they like to head up on the highways that go over the Gaurdsman Pass. In those cases, the wait is over, as all those highways are now open for the season.

UDOT / Instagram

Here in southern Utah, many anticipate the opening of State Route 148, which will take you to Cedar Breaks National Monument from State Route 14 east of Cedar City (although you can access Cedar Breaks almost year round by Highway 143 through Brianhead). Well, that wait ended a couple of weeks ago when UDOT opened up State Route 148, just in time for it to snow again.

Everything's Open Except One In Southern Utah

So, we're all good to go, right?!? Not just yet. One state maintained seasonal state highway remains closed, and it's the one I want to take. The Mount Holly Highway, officially State Route 153, is still closed. The route is listed as running from west of U.S. Highway 89 in Junction to Puffer Lake. But, Highway 153 actually continues down through Beaver Canyon, where it is designated as a Utah Scenic Byway, all the way to Main Street in Beaver.

Dr. T

When we travel the route, we usually go up through Beaver Canyon, but we will be waiting for a bit longer.

Now, in UDOT's defense, the truth of the matter is that the section of Highway 153 that closes every year is not much more than a dirt road. In fact, it is a dirt road. So there's a little more to getting it open than strictly plowing the road. It also has to dry sufficiently so that people traveling over it will not add to the ruts that make this road a bit of an adventure even at its best.

But it is an adventure that I find worth having. The views, especially when traveling east and coming off the summit and dropping in to the Junction area are simply breathtaking. It also gives you the chance to explore some of the historic sights along Highway 89, like the boyhood home of one Butch Cassidy.

Dr. T

Whatever your adventures are for the upcoming season I hope you enjoy them, be it to Cedar Breaks, over to Bryce Canyon, or to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is also now open. We need to get out and take advantage because summer won't last forever. I know, buzz kill.