Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez Valley
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Monday, April 19, 2021

Cathedral Valley - 2021

 Leaving Tropic, Utah, we drove the very scenic highways UT-12 and UT-24 to Sleepy Hollow Campground near Caineville, Utah.  This small campground became our base for exploring this area.


On April 11th, we finally revisited the Cathedral Valley part of Capitol Reef National Park, after having previously visited in 2003.


Driving through a part of the colorful Morrison geologic formation at the beginning of our loop drive.


Highly eroded red and white sandstone cliffs are typical of the Cathedral Valley area.


Temple of the Sun



Temple of the Moon


 

Near Temple of the Sun is an unusual formation called "Glass Mountain".
This is a large mound of inter-grown selenite (gypsum) crystals.




Striking geology in Cathedral Valley


Near this cliff face is a sinkhole where a large underground deposit of gypsum has been dissolved away.



The vertical remains of erosion resistant basaltic lava intrusions


Our lunch spot


The Upper Cathedral Group


View of the Upper Cathedral Valley


We love the character seen in some dead trees.



The Bentonite Hills near the end of our loop drive



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