May 3, Gorilla Rocks and beyond

We decided to begin the day (11 a.m!) in our own backyard, so took off up the road with the locally known Gorilla Rocks as our destination. The road/trail was well marked by ATV tracks, but still nice enough through a pine studded landscape, with marvelous views and the obligatory (but not tiresome) rocks of hues from yellow-white to deep red (including the Gorilla Rocks). We clambered over the red rocks and found little gems, and eventually a sculpture garden like setting where we found shade to have a snack, and continue our constant appreciation of our settings.

Can you see the sea turtle? 

An old deserted shack.

Barb explored more of the Capitol Reef Park, this time the Visitor center, where a film about the geology of the Colorado Plateau was shown.65 million years ago, the plateau was under the ocean, There were two continental plates that rubbed against each other, and one rose, the other slided downwards. This took time, but in the end the mountains were formed, and the ocean was 5000 feet below the top of the mountains. 

There are many different layers of rock in the mountains. Water and wind have worn and torn in the mountains. Water got into cracks that then froze to ice, The cracks opened and rocks were chipped off. And this process continues to this day today. 

The water became a sanding agent, often full of dust and stones. This combination has been sculpting and sanding away at the massive mountains for thousands, millions of years. 

The many layers consist of different properties, some are worn away faster than others. 

The twin rocks

A short easy and hot trail, We are not used to this heat 20 degrees! Onward to the Petroglyphs! 

The Mormons were strong settlers in Utah. They maintained high ethics and worked the land, ensured that there was enough for the wnters. Beautiful trees agains the red and gray mountains.

Yes welcome - and soon goodbye to this spectacular park.