I first came across Castley Valley in about 1992. I had been out to Moab many times to ride the Slickrock trail and other great red rock country mountain bike rides. After a good day's ride, I liked to drive around exploring the area. It was on one of these afternoon exploration drives that I took the turnoff from Highway 128 and perused down into the swithbacks of Castle Valley Drive. I immediately fell in love with the surreal little valley with its sheer red cliffs and open spire vistas. The afternoon sun gleemed off the cheatgrass valley and swept into the aspen slopes of the La Sals. What an amazing place. It was love at first sight.
