Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Since we were out west and not knowing if we would ever pass this way again, we decided to visit Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  The scenery in the park was simply amazing.  

We decided to take the 17-mile scenic drive throughout the valley.

This photo shows the East and West Mittens. 

Merrick Butte

Elephant Butte

This shows Three Sisters.  Looks like the one in the middle is on a diet.

Movie Producer John Ford's Point.  He produce several Westerns here starring "John Wayne." 

Sunrise Camel Butte

The Hub

Totem Poles

Balanced Rock.  Every park has one. 

Artist Point

Cly Butte

The window 

The View Hotel.  Great Sunrises!

The Duke himself.  From 1925-2007 a total of 53 movies were shot at Monument Valley. 

Forrest Gump Starring Tom Hanks - 1993.

National Lampoon's Vacation starring Chevy Chase 1983.  

Valley of the Gods

Rock formations are places of power in which spirits reside, and the formations in the Valley of the Gods are some of the most distinctive.  These imposing monoliths are Navajo warriors frozen in stone, who can be appealed to for protection. They are guardians whose power and strength aid young serviceman going to war.   

A 17-mile loop through the Valley of the Gods.  Kathy did all the driving.  

The Valley of the Gods and the Moki Dugway are popular filming locations because of its classic "Western" look.  

Filming projects include still shots and moving film for commercial ads, major motion pictures. and events such as the Marlboro Adventure team and hot air balloon rides. 

Background shots for the Play Station game were also taken here.  

Mexican Hat Area

These are photos taken near Mexican Hat, Utah. 

The mountain sculpture is fascinating.  

The colors are beautiful to see.

This was taken after we left the Valley of the Gods on the road back to Monument Valley.  

Capitol Reef National Park - Chimney Rock Trail / Gooseneck

Chimney Rock Loop Trail is a 3.5 mile trail. 

The trails namesake is a stately pillar of rich Moenkopi Formation displayed in the center of this photo.   

From the trail head the beaten path snakes northeast through Moenkopi mounds.  

From 0.3 miles from the trail head, you start ascending through the Purple Chinle mounds along a series of switchbacks.  

A sign marks the different trails and distances. 

The path continues to climb to reach the top of the mesa at 1.0 miles.

Soon, Chimney Rock is visible.

Our trail down the back of the mesa.  

You will see the familiar junipers, but with a twist-literally- as the wind twists the wood of these century old specimens. 

At 1.2 miles, you will begin your decent. 

Remember our hike to Navajo Knobs.  They appear on the top left side of this photo and the Castle is just visible on the right hand side of the photo.

These boulders. See next photo.

Once belonged on the side of this cliff.  I can say we never saw or heard of any boulders falling during our entire visit to the park.

The hike ends back at the trail marker.

Goosenecks Overlook 

Gooseneck's Point Marker

A detailed explanation of the goose-necks is detailed on this plaque. 

Nearly 800 feet below Sulphur Creek continues to shape this canyon. 

The stream is a tributary of the Colorado River.

The title says it all!

Capitol Reef National Park - Capitol Gorge & Narrows

The Capitol Gorge Trailhead is at the southern end of Scenic Drive.  You drive 10 miles down the road to reach the turn off. 

After driving another 2-1/4 miles down a dirt road you reach the parking lot and the beginning of the trail. 

A stroll down the wash takes you through what once was a wagon road and subsequently a route used by motor vehicles before the construction of UT-24 in 1962.  Creating and maintaining the old road was a demanding effort for the early settlers of the area. 

You can see how high the cliffs are on each side of the wash.

The Gorge gets smaller at one portion of the hike. 

We finally arrive at the Trail Marker.  

From the sign, the trails ascends through a jumble of boulders with unexpected twists and turns marked by cairns.

After making a quick climb, the trail levels out. 

The spur hike to The Tanks is 0.2 miles. 

Some of the water pockets are filled with water only in the spring or after a heavy rainstorm. 

Some of the larger tanks always have water, 

This area leads to a couple of smaller tanks.  All these potholes are essential sources of water for wildlife in the area. 

Here's a photo of an interesting cairn showing the way.

While driving back out on the Scenic Drive, we took some of the best pictures of the park.

Here's another great photo of the park.

The Narrows

This hike can be tackled in several ways, as a round trip from either the Grand Wash Trailhed or the UT24 trailhead, or an in and out.  We decided to make it a shorter hike and the fastest way to access the narrows. 

From the elevated Grand Wash parking area, the trail stays above the wash for 0.1 miles and then drops into the wash. 

This is Capitol Reef rendition of the "Chia pet."

We find another good opportunity for a photo.

After passing a rocky section the route enters Navajo Sandstone.  

You can see how the height of the canyon walls. 

The narrow begins as the walls are separated by a spread of only 16feet.

We decided that after reaching the Trailhead for the Cassidy Arch, we would return to the parking lot. 

Hey buddy, Don't step back.

Grand Wash was created by water flowing through this fissure in the Waterpocket Fold, and the scouring of the canyon walls is clearly evident and quite impressive. 

A rock with a hole in the center.