New places are always out there.
Having traveled over a lot of the American West, I had not looked at the scenic values of Dinosaur National Monument. It is one of the least visited Federal monuments, about 300,000 visitors per year. It is known principally for the world class dinosaur bones found in the geologic formations. Yet, the 210,000 acre park has vast canyons to be seen from river rafts, overlook points, and trails.
My friend Steve and I decided to have a look. My wife was out of town so it was a boys only trip for photography. There is a nice KOA near Vernal, UT which is on the north side of town. RV friendly campgrounds are not found in most of the park. The Canyon Area Visitor Center is on Hwy US 40, which about 35 miles from Vernal. The road into the park starts here, and is called the Harpers Corner Scenic Drive. The end of the road is some 32 miles from the Visitor Center.
The scenic drive has several overlook points. Mostly the views are distant panoramas which don't lend themselves to interesting photos, especially when hazy.
The road steadily gains altitude into pinion pine and Utah juniper country. Here it is 6700 feet.
To the east of the drive is Moffat county road 16, which is cattle and sheep country. Altitude 7500 feet. Semi-desert shrub-steppe according to the brochure.
Getting into the canyon area.
Island Park Overlook
Canon Overlook. The Green and Yampa rivers have gnawed at the uplifted rock of the Colorado Plateau. The canyons they created are beautiful exposures of geologic time.
Yampa Bench from the Echo Park Overlook.
Echo Park
A surprising spring feeds these pond at 8300 feet. There is no runoff source near by.
Knowing that the Echo Park was highly recommended, Steve and I were eager to take the 12 mile trip down to the boat ramp on the Green river. At the turnoff there is a sign warning that the road is impassable when wet and steep. Driving my 4RunnerTrail Model there was know concern. The road turned out to be so good as to contradict the dire warning.
It was good to be having a fine canyon run. There wasn't a hint of ruts etc.
Down from 8000 ft. to 5200 ft. close to the boat ramp site.
A big field of wild flowers graced the parking area. There must have been a dozen hummingbirds feeding in the blossoms.
We were there some three hours and nary another vehicle came along.
Steamboat Rock is a famous feature of Echo Park. Around the corner on the right is the confluence of the Yampa and the Green (in the foreground flowing right to Left).
Later I made several exposures for a pano. Steve who is an expert on panoramas assembly stitched this together for me.
Retuning up Echo Park road, this is Pool Creek, which crosses the road a few times, The crossings have concrete pads that allows almost all passenger cars to cross without driver hysterics.
The historic Chew Ranch. Jack Chew settled on Pool Creek in 1910 with his wife Mary and six children (eventually 12). Three generation of Chews worked the ranch.
Rial Chew was the final owner of the ranch. He emphasized sheep ranching because they produced two, crops, wool and mutton. Rial deeded the property to the Park Service in 1969.
This house was built about 1940. The Chews wintered in Vernal where the children went to school. The history of the Chew family is sparse at best. More of the story would be fascinating. Most people that lived this sort of life did their work, stood against the wind, and wrote little.
Red sandstone is the nectar of desert exploring. I love being in the canyons where the scene is more intimate than at overlooks. It is with melancholy that I remember my years of desert hikes.
Steve's shot of the Echo Park Road from near the top.
Back on top, we turned north on Harpers Corners to the end of the road at the parking area. The good viewpoint is a mile away on a hiking trail. I took a look at it and decided it was too difficult for creaky legs. My young friend Steve who is only 65 yrs old took his camera and went for it.
I sat in a portable chair and consumed lots of calories. Presently. Steve returned a bit out of breath and claimed victory. Here are his panoramas:
Steve' first view of the Green River serenely eating at Whirlpool Canyon.
The next view to the left.
The following day did not have good light, so we took a vector to home.
Ron
Having traveled over a lot of the American West, I had not looked at the scenic values of Dinosaur National Monument. It is one of the least visited Federal monuments, about 300,000 visitors per year. It is known principally for the world class dinosaur bones found in the geologic formations. Yet, the 210,000 acre park has vast canyons to be seen from river rafts, overlook points, and trails.
My friend Steve and I decided to have a look. My wife was out of town so it was a boys only trip for photography. There is a nice KOA near Vernal, UT which is on the north side of town. RV friendly campgrounds are not found in most of the park. The Canyon Area Visitor Center is on Hwy US 40, which about 35 miles from Vernal. The road into the park starts here, and is called the Harpers Corner Scenic Drive. The end of the road is some 32 miles from the Visitor Center.
The scenic drive has several overlook points. Mostly the views are distant panoramas which don't lend themselves to interesting photos, especially when hazy.
The road steadily gains altitude into pinion pine and Utah juniper country. Here it is 6700 feet.
To the east of the drive is Moffat county road 16, which is cattle and sheep country. Altitude 7500 feet. Semi-desert shrub-steppe according to the brochure.
Getting into the canyon area.
Island Park Overlook
Canon Overlook. The Green and Yampa rivers have gnawed at the uplifted rock of the Colorado Plateau. The canyons they created are beautiful exposures of geologic time.
Yampa Bench from the Echo Park Overlook.
Echo Park
A surprising spring feeds these pond at 8300 feet. There is no runoff source near by.
Knowing that the Echo Park was highly recommended, Steve and I were eager to take the 12 mile trip down to the boat ramp on the Green river. At the turnoff there is a sign warning that the road is impassable when wet and steep. Driving my 4RunnerTrail Model there was know concern. The road turned out to be so good as to contradict the dire warning.
It was good to be having a fine canyon run. There wasn't a hint of ruts etc.
Down from 8000 ft. to 5200 ft. close to the boat ramp site.
A big field of wild flowers graced the parking area. There must have been a dozen hummingbirds feeding in the blossoms.
We were there some three hours and nary another vehicle came along.
Steamboat Rock is a famous feature of Echo Park. Around the corner on the right is the confluence of the Yampa and the Green (in the foreground flowing right to Left).
Later I made several exposures for a pano. Steve who is an expert on panoramas assembly stitched this together for me.
Retuning up Echo Park road, this is Pool Creek, which crosses the road a few times, The crossings have concrete pads that allows almost all passenger cars to cross without driver hysterics.
The historic Chew Ranch. Jack Chew settled on Pool Creek in 1910 with his wife Mary and six children (eventually 12). Three generation of Chews worked the ranch.
Rial Chew was the final owner of the ranch. He emphasized sheep ranching because they produced two, crops, wool and mutton. Rial deeded the property to the Park Service in 1969.
This house was built about 1940. The Chews wintered in Vernal where the children went to school. The history of the Chew family is sparse at best. More of the story would be fascinating. Most people that lived this sort of life did their work, stood against the wind, and wrote little.
Red sandstone is the nectar of desert exploring. I love being in the canyons where the scene is more intimate than at overlooks. It is with melancholy that I remember my years of desert hikes.
Steve's shot of the Echo Park Road from near the top.
Back on top, we turned north on Harpers Corners to the end of the road at the parking area. The good viewpoint is a mile away on a hiking trail. I took a look at it and decided it was too difficult for creaky legs. My young friend Steve who is only 65 yrs old took his camera and went for it.
I sat in a portable chair and consumed lots of calories. Presently. Steve returned a bit out of breath and claimed victory. Here are his panoramas:
Steve' first view of the Green River serenely eating at Whirlpool Canyon.
The next view to the left.
The following day did not have good light, so we took a vector to home.
Ron
