Wednesday, September 30, 2009

An Often Overlooked State Park


Many people would consider Highway 24, which runs between Green River and Hanksville, Utah, to be a desolate stretch of highway. The road cuts across barren and dry ground. To the west is the San Rafael Swell, a rock outcropping that rises above the plain. Canyon country is to the east and to the south, the Henry Mountains rise up on the horizon. You can see forever in this country and I love it. This past July, when we were on vacation, we took this road. I’d been on it before, but had always been in a hurry to get somewhere. This time I made sure we had enough time to wander off the main highway and explore an enchanted place, Goblin Valley State Park, which is a small state park about 20 miles off Highway 24. Unfortunately, it was the middle of the day when we arrived, not the best time for photography, but it was fun to explore the valley floor where goblin-like figurines abound. Erosion has carved the softer rock away faster, leaving the harder rock above which creates the “heads.” Also, small pits in the harder rock create an eye-like illusion in the rock. There are thousands of these sculptures. I’d first heard of this unique place from my secretary in Utah, who’d gone there with her husband and friends to camp on a full-moon. It would be a wonderful place to explore in the light of the moon, and very scary. If you go, be sure to take all you need with you, as it is a long ways to any kind of services or restaurants. If you’re spending the night, camping is your only option. There are hotels in Green River and Hanksville, but they’re a good hour away. Click on the photos to enlarge. Enjoy...








17 comments:

  1. Sage
    I can see this would be a scary place to camp overnight, especially when the night sounds started.
    eutychus

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  2. I can't believe I've never heard of it or seen photos before! How otherworldly it is!

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  3. Is it my wild imagination, or have I seen an elephant and ET too in the collage?

    This scary place must have its charm and beauty. I imagine a night camping there, under the moonlight, hearing all kinds of sounds...

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  4. What strange formations. I would love to visit there in person, but I'm not sure I would want to camp there overnight.

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  5. Eutychus, as there is little water in the area (except when it storms and the water rushes through, carving out the rock), I would expect the main sound at night is the wind

    Kenju, otherworldly is a good descritption

    Leni, yes, an elephant, ET and also a poodle

    Dan, I think it would be fun at night!

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  6. I love that part of the country too. Something about all that red rock just appeals to me.

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  7. I've not been on 24 to Hanksville. I came up 95 from Lake Powell before scooting over to Capital Reef. Looks like it's worth a detour, though.

    Cheers.

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  8. Um...are your travel companions talking to you yet since the return from this trip? ;-)

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  9. I see this also as a potentially peaceful place to camp and to lay back and consider its natural beauty. A Philosophy Professor of mine in college defined Philosophy as "the art of wondering". What better place t do hat than here? Another fascinating post, Sage. Always a pleasure to stop here! :)

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  10. Ed, your namesake agrees!

    Randall, the road itself isn't a scenic as 24 is through Capital Reef and on to Richfield, but the side trips are certainly worthwhile. The San Rafael Swell is something to behold.

    Murf, they were...

    Michael, I like that def. of philosohy and is probably why I have my undergraduate major was in philosophy.

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  11. I have never been to Utah, but have seen scenery much like this in South Africa many years ago, in what was then the "homeland" of Bophuthatswana. Someday I hope to get out West and see this gorgeous stuff with my own eyes.

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  12. I recently read a book based in Utah.

    Somehow I liked those photographs. Very elemental.

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  13. Wow. Very unique, for sure!

    This National Parks series on PBS this week has really made me want to see more of these places.

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  14. Wow, I'd love to visit there... nice photos.

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  15. Wow, for all the time I spent in the Southwest, I've never heard of this!! Now I really want to go.

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  16. I love the photos and color in this post AND the one above!

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