This was our first look at the Green River. As you can see, it was not very green. A planned release from Flaming Gorge dam made the river fuller, faster and browner than usual. More about that later....
Our first stop on the afternoon we got to Vernal was a trip out to the McConkie ranch to see the petroglyphs. They were amazing! The hike up to the cliffs was a bit rigorous. Since these petroglyphs are outside the monument, the trail is on private land and is unmaintained. Luckily, we were able to persevere as the petroglyphs were really wonderful.
The trailhead up to the glyphs
'Buckethead' style glyphs
A cougar glyph
Reminds me of SpongeBob
Saw many of these swirls
Swallows nests made of mud
On Friday, we headed into the monument. This is the new, and quite lovely, Monument Visitor's Center. There is a footbridge in front of the door that is made out of an old train car. So cool.
Saw lots of bunnies on this trip
We hiked a lot on this trip and so we were able to see so many of these incredible petroglyphs.
Love these lizards!
We were able to get out on the Cub Creek road. It is unpaved part of the way and had been washed out the week before. Josie's cabin is out that way, a lovely place to stop for lunch. The irises were in full bloom...hundreds of them. Found out later that they only bloom for a few days, so I felt really lucky that we were able to see them.
Saturday, it was time to tour the quarry. Everything was different since our last visit as an earth quake had damaged the building several years ago. Really enjoyed seeing the bones in situ. The staff and info posters were great and really added to the experience.
Although it was a bit colder and windier on this day, we were able to drive out to Red Fleet reservoir to see dinosaur tracks in the stone. I was so excited!
The tracks are just above the water level, at least at the moment. Some years, the tracks are submerged. Again, a lucky break for us!
This is what the above site looks like from across the reservoir. If you look close, you can see the black information signs.
On Sunday, we attended a nearby LDS chapel and enjoyed a missionary farewell. We spent the afternoon on a walking tour of Vernal that we enjoyed very much. Spent a little while at the beautiful tabernacle-turned-temple. So lovely!
Monday was the Big Day! Time to run the river! I was SO excited! Mike was...well, let's just say it took a bit of convincing him that this was all a good idea.
at the gathering point in Vernal
On the bus ride out to the put-in spot on the river, we stopped at McKee Springs to see the petroglyphs there. Best ones of all!
Took this shot from our climb on the cliffs. Not only can you see the cool rig we rode in, but you can tell that we are a loooonnng ways up on the cliff!
the old folks ready to run the river!
Wasn't possible to take photos of our actual white water experience (insert big grin here!), but here's a shot of our raft beached for lunch. You can see the end of the Inglesby rapid in the background.
the cliffs above the beach
Mike admitted later that this was more fun than he thought it would be. (Yay!) In this shot, I think he's just glad to be on terra firma for a little while.
a beautiful little prickly pear in full bloom
Because of the higher flows in the river due to the dam release, we floated down the river faster than the trip usually takes. Since we would have been way early to the take out spot at Split Mountain, our guides took us on a little side hike that was really cool. This cave, currently and occasionally home to mountain sheep, was a sometimes hideout for outlaws. The mound of sand in the middle of the cave is powder fine from the grinding action of the swirling wind in the cave.
Mike and Stephanie, our raft guide
the cave is hidden from across the river
Our river trip ended with a big thunderstorm that rolled in just we were pulling the rafts from the river. Talk about great timing!
I really enjoyed this trip, for lots of reasons. My health issues were under control for most of the time...a great blessing. Felt so good to be out of my usual routine! Can't wait for our next adventure.
