Southwest USA Page 5 of 9: Southeast Utah:
Capitol Reef National Park ~ Goblin Valley State Park ~ San Rafael Reef

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Above: The Henry Mountains rise to the south of the remarkable landscape of Goblin Valley State Park. From deposits laid approximately 170 million years ago by a vast inland sea, these formations of Entrada Sandstone have been geologically uplifted then eroded by wind and water into fantastic stone gnomes, or hoodoos.

Above: My father explores Goblin Valley.           Below: Carol explores Goblin Valley.

Above: A type of vetch flower, in the pea family.

Below right: a balanced rock in Goblin Valley.

Goblin Valley is a great playground for children.



Hoodoos in Goblin Valley State Park: From deposits laid approximately 170 million years ago by a vast inland sea, these formations of Entrada Sandstone have been geologically uplifted then eroded by wind and water into fantastic stone gnomes.

Below: Our Volkswagon Eurovan camper is parked for breakfast at Goblin Valley viewpoint.

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San Rafael Reef, Utah:

The Navajo and Wingate sandstone of the San Rafael Reef was uplifted fify million years ago into a striking bluff which now runs from Price to Hanksville, bisected by Interstate 70 at a breach fifteen miles west of the town of Green River. The San Rafael Reef (and Swell) is one of the wildest places left in Utah.

Little Wild Horse Canyon:
A short drive from Goblin Valley State Park Campground is a great 9 mile loop hike up Little Wild Horse Canyon and back down Bell Canyon. The hike requires some scrambling up and down sandstone ledges, through occasional shallow water holes and fascinating narrow slots.

Above left: Little Wild Horse Canyon can require shallow wading in several places if rain has fallen a few days previous.

Below left and right: water has eroded pockets into the soft sandstone of Little Wild Horse Canyon.

Above left: fascinating sandstone rock patterns in Little Wild Horse Canyon, explored here by Carol (right).

Capitol Reef National Park

Above: The spectacular Waterpocket Fold, in Capitol Reef National Park.

Above: This sandstone landscape pattern of fossilized sand dunes is only 15 inches across. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.

Below: This exfoliating sandstone pattern looks like a human head radiating an aura:

Below: A wash in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah.Capitol Reef NP: Exfoliating sandstone pattern.

   
Below right: eroded sandstone layers. 

Above: Southwest USA Page 5 of 9: Southeast Utah:
Capitol Reef National Park ~ Goblin Valley State Park ~ San Rafael Reef

Copyright 1983-2006 by Tom Dempsey. Photographs may not be copied without permission. Custom Print Prices.

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