Got a rather late start Thursday to Cottonwood Canyon.
Yet did finally go for a drive.
Thanks goodness the road was dry.
Seemed very strange to be out driving on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere and have electric lines along the way. But I guess that may be why the road is there in the first place.
The Cottonwood Canyon Road follows the Paria River to the Cottonwood River and ends at Cannonville. But alas due to the late start didn’t get that far, yet still had a great ride.
Plus stopped and took a walk up a little side-canyon.
The rock is primarily sandstone and shale.
As the soft shale erodes from under the sandstone it forms talus slopes dotted with giant blocks of sandstone which reveal bedding planes from the originally deposited sands.
See the stone gargoyle?
Erosion shapes the rock most interestingly.
Face looking down on cockatiel, frog and raven
What do you see?
Plus erosion of the sandstone itself shows up close once the blocks roll into the canyon.
I love to see the way nature sculpts the rocks.
Enjoyed lunch under the sun and below the spillway at the end of the canyon.
I am always amazed at the power of water. I sat drinking water to stay hydrated while looking down canyon at the evidence of its strength to move rock and bend plants…
…leaving behind tumbled stone embedded in sand from far away.
Found an arch. You’ll have to look closely. OK, so maybe it’s not really an arch but a hole in fallen sandstone.
Still a few flowers which I didn’t recognize.
Golden fall colors of the cottonwoods and willows contrasted against the dry desert and stark rocky canyon walls.
The road beckoned on but day light waned.
Maybe next time I’ll make it all the way to Kodachrome State Park.
I know this is a long post, I did take over 200 photos, but I can’t help myself. Would you have taken less?
fantastic shots, dear gaelyn!
looks like a terrific road trip!
such fun!
i'm really jealous! lol!
and stunned by those breathtaking views!
betty
A great adventure and wonderful weather. I hope it helped relieve some stress.
Thanks for warming me up..it looks so beautiful and warm there! I love all the photos..send more..;) I saw a shoehorn and a antelope 🙂
Glad you posted as many photos as you did… I've never been and really enjoyed the post.
It is a long post but well worth it. Geology is right there in front of you in that country.
Great pics. I'm intrigued by a State Park named Kodachrome.
I'm a rock fan also, but not as knowledgeable as you. I'm always fascinated by the shapes and colors of the geologic formations. Thanks for taking us on this lovely ride!
What a great adventure Gaelyn. I love geology and how Mother Nature is such a fine artist. Thank you for sharing this wonderful trip. I'll be back to read more, have been a litte preoccupied lately.
Smiles and safe journeys
Sorry about your truck….but these photos are among your best. I see lots of shapes…and nostrils in one photo.
That's a neat road. I got lucky the day I committed myself to follow it. I had started in Holbrook AZ, traveled thru the Hopi reservation, stopped at Antelope Canyon, then did Cottonwood, and ended a 750 mile day in Tonopah NV. Cottonwood was in great shape and I zoomed thru at 40-45 mph. But I took 100 photos anyway. You have some great photos here!