Dead Horse Point State Park UT

From Arches and Moab, we travel north on Utah Hwy 191 and then turn west onto Hwy 313 towards Dead Horse State Park. We've got to admit this park's name doesn't entice visitors including ourselves, but we decide to go based on the recommendation made many years ago by Bill Cogen (who also recommend the Powell River Museum in Green River).  According to one story, the park got it's name from cowboys using the narrow peninsula 2000 feet above the Colorado River as a natural corral. Odd name or not, this park is not nearly as crowded as nearby Arches or the similar Grand Canyon.

Hwy 313 climbs steadily up onto a high plateau. Once inside the park, we drive to the Visitor Center and are immediately treated to a grand vista of canyons carved by the Colorado River.

Hwy 313 climbs to high plateau

Overlook by Visitor Center

View from Visitor Center Overlook

According to the park map the rangers gave us, trails branch out both east and west from the Visitor Center. These trails are loosely defined marked by rock cairns generally following along the lip of the canyon. We decide to try the west side first. The long drops and views are breath taking at each turn.

Goose neck turn in Colorado River

The trees are small and the tortured shapes show a struggle for existence on this high and dry plateau with thin soils. The spring wildflowers seem to have an easier time.
From the end of the west trail, we cut across the road to catch the east trail and scramble up an incline overlooking shockingly blue lakes. Upon closer inspection we decide they must be man made and part of some industry.  Later upon leaving the park, we ask the ranger about the lakes and he tells us it's a company making potash using an evaporation process.

Electric blue potash evaporation pools

Peter and Checkers wait at the lookout

Yup - those are definitely man made

By late afternoon, we all pile back into the van for some snacks and then head back to Green River.

Back over the plateau

by duel buttes

and down to Hwy 191 again.

Green River's just ahead and it looks like we're in for some stormy weather.