Does anyone have actual experience on this highway? We are planning on seeing scenic Hwy 12 in Utah. We are coming from so cal and want to take Hwy 14 from Cedar City and hook up with Hwy 12 off of 89.
There is a pretty steep grade on Hwy 14 and I am looking for someone that has actually taken that road for advice.
The rig is in my sig and we will be towing.
I have a V10 305hp in Ford chassis.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thanks
Linda B.
2006 31' Fleetwood, TiogaSL - The Big Bus
2008 Saturn Vue (Toad)with US Gear UBS
& Demco baseplate and tow bar.
Traveling with Robin(friend),Liz(cockapoo)&Buddee(cavalier)
From I-15, We always take UT-20 to get over the mountains to US-89. UT-14 is a scenic drive, but steep grades up & down and very curvy.
******************************************************
2004 Ford 350 Super Duty 2W Dirve Long Bed PU
2008 327RLT Montana Mountaineer 35 ft. 5th wheel 2005 Alaska and other Trip Logs
Hwy 14 is steep and has some switchbacks I pull up in the spring and try to keep the trailer light just because of the grades you have to pull. another option of getting to 89 that is not quite as steep is exit in hurricane hwy 9 and take the hwy 395 to fredonia, az where you left turn and into Kanab, UT which is where you catch hwy 89. its still a climb to hwy 12 but not near as steep as over hwy 14. hwy 20 is another option but would cause you to go farther north and has one summit thats a pretty good climb. And your final option would stay on hwy 9 which takes you through Zion NP which charges a fee for RV's due to the tunnel. It's a very pretty drive but you might expect a delay due to the tunnel.
Preston F.
2003 DODGE "MASSAGED".
'03 NOMAD RAMPAGE 365
HARLEY, QUADS (3) N DIRTBIKES (3)
You will be in low gear a lot on 14 going east or west but it has some beautiful views. As long as there is no hurry you will not have a problem with your rig, but I don't believe the pull is worth the few view spots. The route FTW posted is much easier and once you turn north through Kanab and Fredonia it's almost as scenic.
Bent Arrow
99 PACE ARROW 35'
Chevy 4x4
4 Wheel Pop-Up
S10 Blazer ZR-2
FTW wrote: Hwy 14 is steep and has some switchbacks I pull up in the spring and try to keep the trailer light just because of the grades you have to pull. another option of getting to 89 that is not quite as steep is exit in hurricane hwy 9 and take the hwy 395 to fredonia, az where you left turn and into Kanab, UT which is where you catch hwy 89. its still a climb to hwy 12 but not near as steep as over hwy 14. hwy 20 is another option but would cause you to go farther north and has one summit thats a pretty good climb. And your final option would stay on hwy 9 which takes you through Zion NP which charges a fee for RV's due to the tunnel. It's a very pretty drive but you might expect a delay due to the tunnel.
I was looking at a map and I see the Hwy 9 exit at Hurricane, but then I see hwy59 to hwy389 into Fedonia. Is this the route you are referring to? That looks like a good option. Will we be missing the tunnel on Hwy 9 that you need an escort?
The more I look at the map maybe the Hwy 9 and the tunnel would be the way to go. We are not in a hurry would be able to see some on Zion.
Thank you for all your feed back. I has helped alot.
* This post was
edited 05/05/08 10:22pm by Not a Clue *
Not to dissuade you from the Zion Park route (which is dramatic and beautiful) but frankly taking Route 9 Eastbound is every bit as challenging, imho, as taking Route 14 from Cedar City up to Midway Valley. Going up to the tunnel in Zion you will encounter several hairpin turns and the road is steep. The tunnel can be fun or a bit scary depending on personal preferences. After the tunnel you'll again have some blind corners and tight turns. The payoff, of course, is that you get to see Zion which is spectacular.
As Johnna noted, Route 20 is probably the easiest alternative. The trip all the way to Fredonia is also easy but quite out of the way. A nice enroute diversion is to make a brief drive through of the Kolob Canyon section of Zion just off I-15 near Kanarraville.
Personally, as someone who take Route 14 several times a year winter, spring and summer, it's not that big a deal. Yes it does climb a bit - up to near 10,000 feet over an 18 miles span, but there isn't much danger on the road and folks take it pretty slow and easy.
Me,DW & Max the Maltese
2005 Nissan Titan, Offroad Crewcab 4x4
FunFinder X-210
Lots of goodies
As said it's a bit twisty but I've seen many a larger motorhome and toad along the way. Take your time, the views will slow everyone else down anyway. Leave enough time along the way to take the cut off up into Cedar Breaks. Beautiful scenery! You can back track to the 14 or exit out the east side of Cedar Breaks for even more beautiful scenery. Either way it's doable. Either way worth the drive!
By the way, if you are coming back into Cedar City or staying there overnight there's a nice steak house about 5 miles out of town on hwy 14 on the right. Good food, nothing fancy, go in your casual clothes. Can't remember the name but it's the only one there! You can also stock up on supply's at Walmart on the south part of town.
As said above, slow and easy the key. If you plan on doing Hwy 12, you'll reach similar altitudes..9000' plus, but not quite as curvy. Nice little restaurant in Boulder.
By the way, if you are coming back into Cedar City or staying there overnight there's a nice steak house about 5 miles out of town on hwy 14 on the right. Good food, nothing fancy, go in your casual clothes. Can't remember the name but it's the only one there!
Actually there are two locally famous steak houses within a couple of miles of each other on Hwy 14 just east of Cedar City. There is also a never ending debate over which is better: Milt's Stage Stop or Rusty's Ranch House. Can't do much wrong with either.
By the way, if you are coming back into Cedar City or staying there overnight there's a nice steak house about 5 miles out of town on hwy 14 on the right. Good food, nothing fancy, go in your casual clothes. Can't remember the name but it's the only one there!
Actually there are two locally famous steak houses within a couple of miles of each other on Hwy 14 just east of Cedar City. There is also a never ending debate over which is better: Milt's Stage Stop or Rusty's Ranch House. Can't do much wrong with either.
Yep, now that I think about it you're right! I've only been to the one on the right side of the road as you're going out of town. Still can't remember the name! Darn this getting old thing!! But worth the stop though, so which one is your favorite?
Offline
