Capitol Reef National Park Utah
The one on the right was perched above the creek we were exploring, A little further we came across some rocks that had not stopped. 
|
A narrow winding road, without any road markings leads one into the most amazing rockscape one can imagine. Huge cliffs tower above and the road eventually peters out into a canyon. We walked on from the last carpark and the gorge became narrower and narrower. It used to be used to travel through the massive barrier that these cliffs posed for early settlers. Rocks fall frequently and some manage to end up balanced in the most incredible manner.
It took up to six photos to do the scenery justice. This panorama features Helen taking a rest and our little white car, Madame Cholet (she is a Chevrolet). We also spent a good deal of time bird-watching. After all, each one was bound to be a lifetime first. We are still sorting them out and trying to name them from my photos. Slideshow of birds below. A massive bumble bee and a lizard crept in too.
|
Mammals great and small, The chipmunks are fast and busy, the bison is losing his winter coat, though with current temperatures, I think he still needs it.
Three kinds of lizard here. A side-blotched lizard who has lost his tail, and two friends. Yes they are all alive, though number three looks emaciated. You can see the ear of the middle one, behind his eye.
Three kinds of lizard here. A side-blotched lizard who has lost his tail, and two friends. Yes they are all alive, though number three looks emaciated. You can see the ear of the middle one, behind his eye.
Geology
Capitol Reef has an ancient geological history extending through the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. There are igneous boulders strewn across many slopes and in such a sandstone environment always seem anomalous. Dark red sand and silt stone forms the Moenkopi Formation. The Navaho Formation is a massive sandstone which comes off in huge vertical flakes. A labyrinth of Canyons sheer and high. I find the layer of clay between the strata interesting, a complete change of facies. Why?
The snow in the background is on the mountains we have to cross tomorrow. We missed the worst of it, Colorado had a foot of snow.
Capitol Reef has an ancient geological history extending through the Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. There are igneous boulders strewn across many slopes and in such a sandstone environment always seem anomalous. Dark red sand and silt stone forms the Moenkopi Formation. The Navaho Formation is a massive sandstone which comes off in huge vertical flakes. A labyrinth of Canyons sheer and high. I find the layer of clay between the strata interesting, a complete change of facies. Why?
The snow in the background is on the mountains we have to cross tomorrow. We missed the worst of it, Colorado had a foot of snow.
