We spent the night on park campground Squaw Flat (15 $, beautiful view, only few sites). Then we visit all scenic drives and view points and go hiking to enjoy the bizarre rocky landscape and capture it photographically. Harts Draw Road shall bring us to Monticello. A sign posts that the road is not maintained and ploughed during winter, but this doesnt matter, there is nearly no snow. Or? All of our maps told us that we have to cross the Abajo Mountains, but none of them informed us about a pass or its height. In the end we are on 2,750 m elevation with 8 inches snow on the road, but Arminius ploughs through without complaint. Some cars come towards us when we are going downhill, but all of them turn round and go back. They cant make it through the snow.
Down in the valley it is mild and dry. At Recapture Lake right before Blanding there is a not maintained recreational area where dispersed camping is permitted. The lake is peaceful and cosy. Wild ducks and goose cackle. A thick dry cedar stem provides us with fragrant fire wood for a camp fire with coffee and cake.