Kodachrome Basin State Park UT

The morning is cloudy as we leave Red Canyon. Even though the colors are more muted, we can still plainly see the colored rock strata. For awhile, we find ourselves following an Unimog Global X vehicle, which are designed to travel just about anywhere. As much as Peter would love one of these, the starting price would break our bank account.

Driving down the Pausaugunt Plateau

Global X Survival Basics

To restock, we stop at the Clarke's Country Market in Tropic UT which was recommended by the campground hosts in Red Canyon. Tropic earned its name from its relatively mild weather.  The market only has beef for sale (no chicken or fish), so we choose some steaks for dinner. Later, we wish we had bought more. The steaks are very fresh and have excellent flavor - can't beat local fresh grass fed beef.

A few miles later in Cannonville UT, we turn south on Kodachrome Way which leads us to Kodachrome Basin State Park. According to the story, this park was named in 1949 when the National Geographic Society dispatched a group of photographers to the area to test out Kodak's new Kodachrome film. From our experience with this park, it's aptly named.

We must be getting close to Kodachrome Basin

Turn off to campground

We luck out again in getting one of the few remaining campsites (helps to come early on a Monday). We end up in a spacious dry site with a view of the surrounding cliffs. Although we don't have hook ups, the park does have drinking water, a dump station and showers. With our solar panels and beefy batteries, this is our kind of campsite.

Campsite at Kodachrome Basin

Kicking back enjoying the view

Kodachrome is famous for its many sand pipes. To tell you the truth, I have yet to learn the difference between the geological formations of spires, sand pipes, chimneys, and even hoodoos to some extent. We get get quite a laugh out of the very phallic and very large sand pipe that stands tall over the campground. Needless to say, most of the state park's public information feature less obvious angles of this particular formation. Can you tell which of the three angles below is most likely to be used in one of Utah's publications?
After settling in we walk around to scope out the campground and to see where come Canadian friends we met in Red Canyon have ended up.  A crazy set of campers seem to have rented a vehicle without leveling blocks.

Rock levelers ?

The rental agency might not want to see this shot

Time to go hiking

The ranger at the entrance recommended Angel's Palace Trail (see trail map on brochure) for its great views of the area. With several hours before sunset, we start off with the hounds.
Immediately, I'm fascinated with the twisted dry wood from trees struggling to survive in this dry climate.
The geological formations are amazing as well.
As we make it to the top, we are treated to almost 360 degree views of the area.
Cactus are showing off their spring blooms.

Blustery winds come up in the late afternoon. At first we try to weather them out in camp, but soon all retreat to the van to avoid blowing dust.

You talking to me?

Reading my new Kindle with crashed out rats

Crazy campers hiking during winds

Although the sunset turns out to be a bust, we are treated to a gorgeous day the next morning. After breakfast, we take the dogs for a walk around the half mile Nature trail.

Peter cuddles Mary

Admiring a sand pipe

Sand pipe and sky

Elephant seal ?

Three sisters ?

Honey combed rock

After settling the dogs back in the van for a nap, we hike the Panorama Trail just south of the campground.

The infamous Bandido Pedro Hazardo

Indian Cave

with hand prints

Ballerina Spire

Dropped ice cream cone ?

Hat Shop

The Hat Shop area is topped by a harder rock strata that forms the "hats" covering the more erode-able  red sandstone underneath. In the photo below, you can see "hats" still on the cliff above as well as others that have fallen off below. The eroded sandstone is slowly being converted into more useful soil by colonies of microbes followed by grasses.

Hat Shop cliff

We had planned to take a longer hike, but with the wind coming up again and the dogs in the van we decide to cut it short. Next time we hope to be able to spend more time on this trail. On the way, we stop at the Camper Store for some ice cream before relaxing back at camp.

Which tribe left this artifact on the trail?

Camper Store

Beetle love @ our campsite

That evening as the shadows deepen, we return with the dogs to the Nature Trail.

We can easily see why this park was chosen to test out Kodachrome film. It's well worth visiting.

Kodachrome moment @ Kodachrome Basine