It is really windy as we start our hike to the overlook of Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park. Watch your step as we head to this incredible geologic wonder!
We are still dealing with blowing sand and high winds which is blotting out any chance of blue sky. No worries, we’ll get our “blue” in other places–just wait. For now, though, we have only a 1/2 mile walk uphill to Upheaval Dome’s overlook so let’s go.
The wind doesn’t seem too bad here in the rocks. Nice to be a bit protected from the southwest winds and blowing sand. Not sure how it will be up top, but we’ll soon find out.
Check out the dancing tree up to our left! The Utah Junipers are so amazing with their twisting and turning branches and trunk. One thing about them I find fascinating is they self prune. When times get tough–little water to serious drought–the tree will stop sending nutrients to certain branches to ensure the tree’s survival. Often you see pictures of Utah junipers with sections that look dead, and they are, but the tree will live up to 700 years. Now that’s perseverance!
This is serious watch-your-step terrain.
We are just about there . . .
As we take the last steps to top, we walk on a massive rock that drops sharply to this! Oh my gosh, the wind is so strong we can barely walk against it! Thankfully it is pushing us AWAY from the edge!
WOW! What colors and what happened here? This succinct article by the Park Service explains the two creation theories, not to mention the amazing photo from the International Space Station! “Then, in 2007, German scientists Elmar Buchner and Thomas Kenkmann reported finding quartz crystals that were “shocked” by the high pressure of a meteorite impact.” See the whole article here.
Thank goodness for a kiosk with metal legs cemented into the rock we are walking on! Sitting down, holding on to the kiosk’s legs, I was able to hold still enough to get these few picture. A ranger later told us the winds were clocked at 60mpg at this vantage point. Yes, it was a challenge!
Lovely view and interesting geology, but have to get out of this wind! There is another overlook a bit lower and a long hike around the rim. We’ll do neither today, but of all the possible overlooks, this one rates highest!
Turning back we see strange patterns and warping in the rock. Looks like playing with clay. Perhaps due to the meteorite event of millions of years ago. Now we see the results through long-term erosion.
Good to get some relief from the wind. Watch your step on the way down.
Here we are in the most amazing geology, yet geology is very confusing. Have you ever tried to find a book or web site explaining geology? I found too often they attempt to explain unknown geologic terms using a wealth of other unknown geologic terms. Hard to find a source that remembers we are at Stage 1 in the learning process. Until now.
This is the simplest overview I’ve found. Let’s take a look where Upheaval Dome fits in this stratigraphic column. I’ll repeat the tiny print at the bottom of the picture: Stratigraphic columns provide the reader with names of local formations, rock type, age, color, relief, environment, and other aspects of the local strata. OK, now I did it–strata = plural of stratum which is a layer of rock that is different from the layers above and below.
Upheaval Dome’s “foundation” is Moenkopi Formation with overlying layers of Chinle (chin-lee), Wingate, Kayenta, and Navajo. Notice the Chinle is green. We also saw it as blue but can be teal or gray as we saw in the gorgeous landscapes in Capitol Reef. All these layers formed between 145 and 251 Ma (million years ago) and formed via rivers/oceans, mudflats, tidal pools, and sand dunes. All our Utah canyon adventures gives an insight into millions of years of earth’s creation. The formations are even more amazing from that perspective. We can touch rock millions of years old.
Until next time my friend . . .
