I’ve hiked here several times before in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument but Bill and I were looking for a short walk on the way to Page for lunch so it was a return to the rock Toadstools.
We follow the wash and rock to avoid the living cryptobiotic soil made up of lichen, fungi and mosses that takes years to build and only one step to kill.
Easy to see how flowing water breaks down the walls of the wash revealing various layers of color in the sandy soil.
The entire trail is only 1.6 miles round trip with 100 feet gain in elevation and soon we see the first toadstool.
A toadstool is a spire-like feature with a boulder perched atop a pedestal rock, like a mushroom. It forms when softer rock erodes away leaving a column sheltered from wind and water.
We headed for the shade under a toadstool cap and sat talking while enjoying the view.
Including upwards.
There are toadstools all around in various sizes.
And a huge spillway created an alcove behind us.
With grumbling stomachs we headed back down the trail.
Sasha led the way.
Like those Toadstool guys. Am so much looking forward to being back in the South-west again:))
Hope you’ll come through southern Utah so Bill and I can show you some great rock.
That spillway alcove is heart shaped. I love the plateau lands.
I too saw the heart. So many shapes in the red rock.
The differing colors of the rock are amazing. I hope those toadstools are pretty stable since you’re resting under them!
I don’t even think of them as falling.
Such unique views and interesting sights.
I just love exploring this rock country.
Beautiful stuff. The toadstools really are very similar to what you find as living toadstools.
Thanks Nancy. Would be hard on the teeth.
Gaelyn,
Your photographs are getting better and better and they never were bad! You also have a nice way of describing what you are seeing, experiencing. Thank You!
Thank you very much George.
Fascinating rock formations! Southern Utah has so much to offer.
I sure am having fun exploring southern Utah.
Love all the colors in those layers. Wish I knew more about what surfaces are fragile – especially in the deserts where everything looks so tough and is really very delicate! A nice little hike with big rewards at the end. Thanks for sharing 🙂
On sand, look for a raised, hard and often lumpy surface to indicated crytobiotic soil. Deserts are really fragile.
The colors are fantastic Gaelyn. Your pictures are wonderful. Your reasons for walking in the wash were so considerate. Hope everyone knows to do that. Can you walk around these great formations without doing any damage?
Thanks Sherry. It’s slick rock by the toadstools so safe to walk on.
Hubby and I are currently in Flagstaff enjoying the fall temps. I will put the “Toadstools”on my must see list. I continue to be amazed at how many people leave the US for vacations when we have such sights like this to be enjoyed.
We Plan on being in Quartzsite and Yuma in the winter so perhaps we will meet up with you if your in the area. Also want to show Hubby Wickenburg and Escapee park
in Congress.
Hope you continue to have safe travels.
Rosemary
Flagstaff should be a colorful place to experience fall. The world is full of amazing places. Maybe we’ll meet this winter.
These are exceptionally beautiful photos, Gaelyn. There are some toadstools here in southern Serbia; need to go back and see them.
Thanks Pat. Hope you’ll post pics of your toadstools.
The geology, formations and patterns are remarkable. I bet not nearly enough people get to see this beauty in person.