Goblin Valley and Green River UT

The next morning we're back on the Utah Hwy 24 headed northeast, along the edge of Capitol Reef National Park, passing the northern outlet of the Grand Wash, and then climbing up the eastern side of the reef. The terrain is much drier above the waterpocket fold.

Northern outlet of the Grand Wash

Up the eastern slop of the reef

Before we get to Hanksville, we stop at an ATV park to stretch our legs and let the dogs out. The landscape looks like we're standing in the middle of a crater on the moon.

ATV Park near Hanksville UT

As we get closer to Goblin Valley State Park, we start seeing classical western buttes and landscapes of colored rocks.

We make it to Goblin about lunchtime and are disappointed to learn there are no campsites left. After checking in at the gate and paying the day use fee, we cruise through the campground to check it out for future reference. The campground is small, exposed and very dusty. We're glad not to be camping here after all.

Entrance to Goblin Valley

The Three Weird Sisters

Ah - more goblins coming up

The remote Goblin Valley was discovered by cowboys searching for wandering cattle in the 1920's. They must have been amazed at what they saw from approximately the same vantage point as the pano below.

Goblin Valley

More recently, Goblin Valley received national attention when a yahoo Boy Scout troop leader toppled over one of these ancient formations. Needless to say, he was fired from the Boy Scouts for not being the best model of "leave no trace behind" motto.



As far as hiking in the valley, there's no set trail but rather paths that wander in and around the goblins.  A large group of teenagers are in the valley (seniors on a pre-graduation excursion?). Some of the boys are especially unruly and climbing all over the goblins. I am personally shocked the rangers aren't more diligent about controlling behavior potentially damaging to these fascinating formations, especially after the above televised incident. Surely the State of Utah can afford the extra staff to better protect their natural wonders.

Pathways through the goblins

Moron conquers goblin

Great Goblins Galore !

Daffy Duck ?

Artist wearing beret ?

Shmoo ?

After we've had our fill of chasing goblin photos, we drive back over BLM lands looking for a possible dispersed campsite, as we noticed several campers on the way in. By then dark looking rain clouds have come in threatening a good drenching. We decide to push on to Green River UT. If you don't like the weather in Utah, just wait 15 minutes.
The stormy weather has abated somewhat by the time we make Green River. Fortunately, there's plenty of open sites at the local Green River State Park. This campground is bounded by the Green River on one side and a small public golf course on another. The Green is a good sized river and is one of the mighty Colorado's main tributaries.

Entering Green River

The Green River

Entrance to Green River State Park

The park itself is spacious with green grass and large leafy cottonwoods. We select a nice campsite and congratulate ourselves for finding a much better campground than Goblin.

Campground at Green River

I like this campground

Our campsite at Green River

The John Westley Powell River Museum is only a few blocks away and will be open a few hours more, so we decide to see it. John Westley Powell is famous for his 1869 Expedition, a three month first descent of the Green and Colorado Rivers through the Grand Canyon. He is especially revered by any river runner who has ever attempted to "run the Grand." Many years ago on our first trip down the Grand, our trip leader Bill Cogen recommended we see this museum and to especially watch the video presentation. Although it's taken us more than a few years, we finally got here. Cogen's right - it's well worth seeing and the video does give an excellent depiction of the experience of running the rapids through the Grand.

John Westley Powell River Museum

Tribute to Powell's expeditions

Powell's lost a grip on his oars

This museum has several real and replicas of the early dory boats used to run these rivers. Over time, these boats evolved to better handle the large rapids and strong currents.

Later flatter and wider dories

Replica of one of Powell's boats

VERY early freeze-dried river runner food

 By the time we ran these rivers in the '80s and '90s, we had sturdy self-bailing rafts.

Old photo of Peter at the oars in the midst of Lava Falls July 1991

Later while enjoying some beers before dinner, we see a woman on a skate board being pulled by a rambunctious golden retriever.  Later I met her, her husband and two young children. They have a beautiful modern dory. The husband is a retired river guide who's run the Grand over 100 times. Sure makes our measly 2-3 times look pretty punny.

Mary disapproves of retriever pulling a woman skateboarding

Ahhh - life is good

Around sunset, we watch a large city bus with ADVENTURE BUS emblazoned on it side pull into a campsite nearby. The bus door opens and out tumble about 15 people. A man and a women stay at the bus to prepare dinner while the others disperse around the campground. Being both curious and gregarious, I wander over and meet Ardell, the driver. He's lived in San Diego and has a good friend who's a chef in Monterey (small world). Apparently their business is to picking up clients at the Salt Lake airport and taking them on a tour of the major Utah parks. Peter and I are amused at how many businesses have grown up around the things we like to do just for fun.