travel north america united states arizona virgin river gorge highway 15 northbound
Going north from Nevada toward the Virgin River Gorge is more dramatic than coming south from Utah.
Coming across the northeastern corner of Arizona through Beaver Dam you travel from the Mojave Desert up to the Colorado Palateau and St. George, Utah.
You start on a relatively flat high desert traveling toward what looks like an impenetratable chain of mountains.
Even going into the first curves of Highway 15's sharp cuts into the mountain, you still can't see any possible way the highway could continue without a tunnel.
However, Highway 15, one of the most expensive parts of the interstate highway system ever constructed, seems to do it with speed and grace.
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON THE VIRGIN RIVER GORGE
LINK TO WIKIPEDIA'S WEB PAGE ON ARIZONA
TRAVEL: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2018, 2019, 2022 ...
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unless noted otherwise all images copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
Approaching the gorge near milepost 12, the mountains look impenetrable, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
Starting to ascend near milepost 13, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
From here, there appears to be no way through the mountain.
Descending a mile later into a deep canyon near milepost 14, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
Ascending near milepost 15, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
Near milepost 17, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
Milepost 18 marks the exit to the Virgin River Campground at Cedar Wash, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2018.
Descending after milepost 18 and then climbing again, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2018.
Climbing again near milepost 20, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2018.
Descending near milepost 22, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
Emerging from the gorge near milepost 27 and approaching the Utah border, Highway 15 northbound, Virgin River Gorge, Arizona, USA, 2022.
copyright d. holmes chamberlin jr architect llc
page last revised november 2022