Utah WA/OR SUWA TRIP 2023

We hiked down Wolverine Creek (a wash/no water) from a trailhead into the Wolverine Petrified Wood Natural Environmental Area, and we were blown away by the amount of petrified wood that is there to see. From tiny bits to huge trunks. The crystals formed in some by the mineralization were just gorgeous. Continuing down the trail the walls of the wash come closer together, and they include the towering Wingate layer which meant we came to a couple huge amphitheater-type areas. Eventually we turned around, and for our return route we turned up a wash that runs on the east side of the mesa that we had been hiking along on its west side. As we got closer to the top end we came upon a surreal land of petrified logs and rounds. It was absolutely incredible. Aaaand, when we get to the top end of the mesa we had quite the sketchy scramble to get down to a wash that we could follow back to the trailhead. Thank goodness that area of petrified wood is difficult to get to from that end, or it might not still be so undisturbed. Another magical Utah trip discovery. We are SO lucky!Baca lagi

We have been camping and exploring the area off of the Burr Trail in Grand Staircase. That road itself is paved up until it crosses into Capitol Reef. The paving of the Burr Trail (in the late 80’s I believe) was very controversial, and we learned that the fight against it marked the birth of SUWA. We traveled into the beginning of the unpaved section today, which includes a very fun windy section that drops ~750’ off of the Waterpocket Fold and into the valley. I’m including photos here. If I’m lucky I can add a video later.Baca lagi