Downhill Moki Dugway Road on UT261 | 4K - 21dec25 скачать в хорошем качестве

Downhill Moki Dugway Road on UT261 | 4K - 21dec25

The Moki Dugway: Utah’s Most Thrilling Cliffside Drive The Moki Dugway is a staggering, unpaved stretch of Utah State Route 261 that balances precariously on the edge of a massive cliff. Located in San Juan County, this 3-mile section of road is famous for its hairpin turns, steep grades, and views that stretch all the way to Arizona. History and Engineering The term "dugway" refers to a road that has been carved or "dug" out of a hillside. • Built in 1958: It was constructed by the Texas Zinc Minerals Company. • The Purpose: The road was designed to transport uranium ore from the "Happy Jack" mine on Cedar Mesa down to a processing mill near Mexican Hat. • The Scale: It scales the face of the Cedar Mesa plateau, rising roughly 1,100 feet (335 meters) in just three miles. Road Statistics • Elevation Change: The road climbs from the desert floor to the top of the plateau at an average 11% grade. • Surface: It is gravel and dirt, though it is well-maintained and usually passable by standard passenger cars. • Safety: There are no guardrails. The road is narrow, and the drops are nearly vertical. Panoramic Highlights The Moki Dugway offers some of the most expansive vistas in the American Southwest: • Valley of the Gods: Directly below the switchbacks, you can see the towering red sandstone buttes of this "miniature Monument Valley." • Sleeping Braid: Looking back at the cliffside, the switchbacks look like a giant braid woven into the rock. • Muley Point: Just past the top of the Dugway, a five-mile dirt road leads to Muley Point, offering a view of the San Juan River goosenecks and the distant peaks of Monument Valley. Important Driver Information If you are planning to drive the Moki Dugway, keep these tips in mind: 1. Size Matters: Vehicles over 28 feet in length or those towing long trailers are strongly discouraged from attempting the climb due to the tightness of the switchbacks. 2. Weather Caution: The road can become slick, muddy, and extremely dangerous during rain or snow. It is best driven during dry, clear conditions. 3. Brakes: If you are descending, use a low gear to avoid overheating your brakes. 4. Speed: The recommended speed limit is 5 mph (8 km/h) in the sharpest turns. Why is it called "Moki"? "Moki" (or Moqui) is a term used by early Spanish explorers and later by pioneers to describe the Ancestral Puebloan people (formerly known as Anasazi) who lived in the region and built dwellings into the cliffs hundreds of years ago.