Our first real play day on vacation took us hiking from Wire Pass into Buckskin Gulch slot canyon. They are other worldly and not for the claustrophobic.
The House Rock Valley Road is passable with almost any vehicle when dry. Although the last time I drove it the condition was rutted from a previous idiot driving on it when wet.
The East Kaibab Monocline, known locally as the Cockscomb, is a wrinkle in the earth’s crust created 40-80 million years ago by the forces of plate tectonics.
Erosion along the fold created spectacular geologic features. Beds of sandstone and limestone jut up into the sky, forming steep rocky formations while the softer rock layers erode to form the valley bottoms.
Sand ripples along Wire Pass Trail
The nearly 200 million year old Jurassic Navajo Sandstone formed when this region was a sandy dessert where huge dunes migrated across the landscape pushed by seasonal winds.
Lizard tracks on sand wall
There were small oasis where dinosaurs congregated leaving behind trace fossils in small limestone lenses but all we saw were fresh tracks.
Over millions of years, younger deposits covered the sand dunes. Eventually the sand was compacted and cemented by minerals.
Beginning about 15 million years ago with the uplift of the Colorado Plateau, erosion of younger rock layers exposed the original sand dunes showing the layers and cross-bedding patterns seen today.
Go here for the rest of the story.
Great adventure. I really like how you always give an in depth view of the world around us. You really are in a job that suits you. Me, I would like at the same landscape and say, "nice rocks."
I hope that you have great vacation. Keep us posted.
You are living my husbands dream, I tell ya 🙂 What a beautiful and interesting place…thanks for sharing it on your blog so that I could see it too 🙂
Queenie
Your photos are absolutely awesome! Have been thinking about Rving myself ~ wonder about a woman alone with a small dog ~ how safe is it ~thanks, namaste, Carol (A Creative Harbor) Happy OWT ^_^
Your rock photos are like modern art, Gaelyn. I love the lizard tracks and also the rippling sand. You've got an eye for the unusual.
Superb captures, Gaelyn, and such a fascinating, interesting and informative post! Thank you! I enjoyed this so much!
Sylvia
Oh, wow! Amazing photos, Gaelyn!
What amazing photos, you are always in such beautiful places. Diane
What a fascinating life you lead. I am going to send the link to your Blog to my geophysicist grandaughter Catherine, she emigrated to Canada two nights ago and one of her ambitions is to go white-water rafting, she is an adventurous girl.
In answer to your question, no I didn't dress up this time, I will next year for the 20th WWII Weekend. My old WRAF uniform would never fit me now, unfortunately.
Hi there – what a great place to explore. But you wound not want to get stuck between and rock and a hard place!
I think I should take advantage of the $, but I've so much to see here as well!
SM – Australia
Those rocks just blow me away. Wish I could get over there to feel my way around them.
Great post.
Absolutely amazing geological formations and information. And beautiful as well
Just gorgeous, no other word. That top photo reminds me of the film "127 Hours"—I bet you've seen it.
Seems so alien to me that I can hardly believe it is reality. Inhospitable and I suppose one has to be very strong mentally as well as physically to traverse terrain like this. Is it safe to go by yourself?
Living where we do, when climbing a Highland mountain is a daring adventure, it is hard to envisage what you go through on your travels.
All the fun you're having is making me rather jealous… enjoy, we enjoy seeing the results of your travels…
The slot canyon is absolutely beautiful. I miss seeing that part of the country..that's what makes your blog so special.
Hey, after all I read your mail, but where are the photos of my sunny South Africa? I sit in Berlin it is raining with 10°C summer temperature. I phoned Langebaan there it is winter and they are freezing with 17°C. If I see your rockpaintings I should show you my San (bushman) paintings witch are 2000 years old.