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Posts Tagged ‘Utah’

Capitol Reef National Park

Petroglyphs
Highlight were the petroglyphs, left by the Fremont tribe. Though the antlers and other accessories were explained to be ceremonial headdresses, they make the “people” in the petroglyphs look very alien… Who knows – maybe the Fremont tribe knew much more about the universe than we do?

Sunset Hickman Bridge Hill Cactus
Valley River Mule Deer Petroglyphs Petroglyphs Petroglyphs Petroglyphs Pine Tree Valley

Extraterrestrial Highway

Lizard
No flying saucers, but some lizards look extremely alien…

Highway Damselflies mating Pelican

Devils Postpile National Monument

Basalt Columns
Lava flows, frozen in hexagonal columns. According to Wikipedia: “The postpile was created by a lava flow sometime between less than 100,000 years ago (according to current potassium-argon dating) to 700,000 years ago (according to other dating methods). The source of the lava is thought to have been somewhere near Upper Soda Springs campground at the north end of Pumice Flat on the floor of the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, from where it flowed to the site of the Postpile, was impounded by a moraine, and reached a thickness of 400 feet (newer estimate) to 600 feet (older estimate).”

Basalt Columns Wood

Rainbow Waterfall

Rainbow Falls
Strong waterfall with the promised rainbow.

Rainbow Falls River

Desert

Desert

Lonely drive through Goblin Valley desert, 10 miles in the wrong direction. Listening to Dylan: “Beyond here lies nothin’ – nothing we could call our home…”
Desert Road Desert Desert

Little Wild Horse Canyon

Canoyn

Narrow slot canyon, filled with lizards and beetles.
River Bed Canoyn Canoyn Canoyn Canoyn Tree in a Rock Lizard Lizard Goldsmith Beetle Lizard

Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley in a Thunderstorm

Caught by a thunderstorm in the valley. Impending storm contrasted with the shining sun, and the downpour brought out a different view of the goblins.
Sunset Desert Desert Desert Lightning strike Thunderstorm Goblin Valley Goblins Goblin Valley Rock Goblin Valley Cloud Pronghorn Antelope Desert at sunrise

Shakespeare Arch

Tree

The arch itself was unimpressive, but the desert around it was amazing. Out on the horizon you could see smoke from a forest fire. Scattered around was rare vegetation supporting life in the inhospitable environment.

Plant Flower Moss Rock Formation Shadow Trail Plant on a dune Desert

Grosvenor Arch

Grosvenor Arch

At the base of the arch a wasp was digging out a hole for its young. It then buried the paralyzed grub and proceeded to cover the hole.

Wasp Wasp

Escalante Petrified Forest

Petrified Tree

Walk through petrified forest – well, sort of. The wood was petrified – and it was clearly wood. But it was scattered all over the place. I guess I had higher expectations. Still amazing.

Cactus flower Petrified Tree

Zion National Park

Angels Landing

Beautiful hike through Zion National Park. Chipmunks were jumping from under the feet.

Angels Landing Trees Chipmunk Chipmunk Canyon, North fork of Virgin River Canyon, North fork of Virgin River Canyon, North fork of Virgin River Mountain wall Flowers in the desert

Another short hike at sunrise – watching the shadow crawl off the valley.

Zion Valley Pine tree Flowers Leaves Zion Valley Zion Valley

Lick Wash Canyon

Lick Wash Canyon

A canyon carved in Sandstone. Filled with butterflies, lizards, birds (one dead one at the bottom of the canyon) and even petroglyphs.

Lick Wash Canyon Lick Wash Canyon Petroglyph Dead Bird Canyon Weidemeyer's Admiral Weidemeyer's Admiral Canyon Canyon Flower Lizard

Bryce National Park

Bryce Canyon

A walk among the giants at dusk.

Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon Pine Tree Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon Column Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon Trail Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon Bryce Canyon Rock Bryce Canyon