Escalante, Utah
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Petrified Forest State Park Escalante, Utah |
October 11, 2018
Best of the Best Tour: Day-3
The primary reason for hikers to come to Escalante is to venture down the Hole In
The Rock Road to one of the many wonderful places in the vicinity of the Escalante
River. In fact, my last two hikes down there rank among my top-10
favorites.
Yesterday, Gary and I managed to sneak in a walk over to Lower Calf Creek Falls; but last evening's rainfall has stymied any notions of using the Hole In The Rock Road though, we opt to visit the local state park instead.
At the entrance station, the ranger recommends that we not attempt the loop trail that goes up the nearby hill, on the assumption that it is too wet.
Samples of a petrified log
An entire tree is laid out here
That display is well and good; but it's hardly enough to justify the park entrance
fee. It is time to set out upon the two-mile trail and see how it goes.
Starting up the hill
This route is not the least bit uncomfortable
So far, only lichen are in evidence
Nearing the top
Escalante overview
The first petrified log on the route
We opt to bypass the 'rainbow' spur
Around the next bend in the trail is a wealth of good stuff.
Interesting
Incredible
It just gets better ⇔
This is why I go hiking
A rainbow garden among the pinion pines and sagebrush
Wide Hollow Reservoir
Farther down the trail ⇔
Back to lichen-land
Nearly finished
§: The fallen wood on the trail was much more interesting than the stuff down
by the parking lot. Anyone who fails to venture up there will miss out on the finest
display of petrified wood that I have seen. Unless the trail condition is truly bad,
ignore the ranger's admonition to avoid it.
Be aware that I did 'fall from grace' and saturate some of the images a bit, just as does everyone else when processing photographs of petrified wood. Enhancing the amazing natural colors is so pleasing to the eye.
Gary and I briefly consider giving the ranger a piece of our minds, because she could have deprived us of this exceptionally colorful outing; but we simply head out instead to the nearest rock shop.
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