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Encyclopedia :
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GOB :
Goblin Valley State Park |
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Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley State Park is located in Emery County between Green River and Hanksville. Follow Highway 24 to Temple Mountain Junction, and proceed 12 miles southwest on a paved road. Goblins of infinite design will greet you! Portions of the film Galaxy Quest were filmed in the park. Story of Goblin ValleySecluded Goblin Valley was first discovered by cowboys searching for cattle. Then in the late 1920s, Arthur Chaffin, owner/operator of the Hite Ferry, and two companions were searching for an alternate route between Green River and Caineville. They came to a vantage point about one mile (1.6 km) west of Goblin Valley and were awed by what they saw - five buttes and a valley of strange-shaped rock formations surrounded by a wall of eroded cliffs. In 1949 Chaffin returned to the area he called Mushroom Valley. He spent several days exploring the mysterious valley and photographing its scores of intricately eroded creatures. Publicity attracted visitors to the valley despite its remoteness. In 1954 it was proposed that Goblin Valley be protected from vandalism. The state of Utah later acquired the property and established Goblin Valley State Reserve. It was officially designated a state park on August 24, 1964. Plants and animalsVegetation is limited to hardy desert species that can endure blowing sand and hot dry surface conditions. Vegetation and wildlife exist on a limited supply of water in this arid desert environment. Plants have adapted by reducing the size of their leaves, smaller leaves lose less water through evaporation. Some plants have a waxy coating on their leaves that reduces water loss. You are likely to encounter Mormon Tea (joint fir), Russian thistle, Indian ricegrass, and various cacti. Nearby, at slightly higher elevations, are juniper and pinyon pine. Animals often must travel many miles to find water or else wait for thunderstorms to provide moisture. Most animals in the area are nocturnal, venturing out only in the cooler evenings to hunt and forage for food. Some animals get water from the food they eat and go for weeks without a drink of water. Jack rabbitss, scorpions, kangaroo rats, pronghorn antelope, kit foxes, midget faded rattlers, and coyotes are found within and near the park. ActivitiesThe valley of goblins lets visitors experience up close and personal the handy work of millions of years of erosional forces. Exploring in the valley creates an atmosphere of self-discovery as you meander among and in between the goblins. The park offers three trails to complement your visit: Carmel Canyon - A 2 mile (3 km) moderately strenuous loop leading from the parking area to the desert floor. Along the way, you see Goblin Valley from a different perspective and are treated to a short slot canyon on your way back. Curtis Bench - A fairly easy 2.1 mile (3.4 km) out and back trail that follows the Curtis formation. The trail offers a unique overview of Goblin Valley as well as spectacular views of the Henry Mountains. Entrada Canyon - An adventuresome, moderately strenuous 1.3 mile one-way trail that goes from the campground to the valley of goblins and back. The trail follows a natural drainage that lends itself to those who enjoy discovering what is around the next corner. It's not for those who struggle with a sense of direction! GeologyThe wonderfully grotesque stone sculptures in Goblin Valley result from millions of years of geologic history. The goblins are made of Entrada Sandstone. They consist of debris eroded from former highlands and redeposited here on a tidal flat (alternating layers of sandstone, siltstone and shale). The goblins show evidence of being near and ancient sea with 1) the ebb and flow of tides, 2) tidal channels that directed currents back to the sea and 3) coastal sand dunes. Joint or fracture patterns within the Entrada's sandstone beds create initial zones of weakness. The unweathered joints intersect to form sharp edges and corners with greater surface-area-to-volume ratios than the faces. As a result, the edges weather more quickly, producing sperical-shaped goblins. WeatherClear desert skies offer spectacular views of the desert floor and San Rafael Reef. Low humidity and sparse vegetation allow evenings to cool off rapidly. Summer - Temperatures can be in the 90s to low 100s during the day and fall to the 50s at night. Afternoon thundershowers in late summer cool temperatures dramatically but also bring danger of lightning strikes and flash flooding in nearby slot canyons. Spring and Autumn - Variable weather. Days are often sunny and warm, nights clear and cool. Be prepared for abrupt changes. There are often strong winds, rain, hail and occasional snow. Winter - Colder temperatures and occasional snow. Temperatures are above freezing most days but often drop into the teens and single digits at night. Safety tipsLightning danger is severe in exposed valley and park locations. Seek shelter in buildings or vehicles during thunderstorms. Drink plenty of water - one U.S. gallon (4 L) per person per day in summer. Goblin Valley is a remote, rugged area. Use caution when climbing or on exposed terrain. ReservationsReservations are available for group-use and individual campsites. Individual campsite reservations may be made five days to 16 weeks in advance of park departure date. Group-use reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance of park departure date. To make a reservation, please call +1 801 322 3770 within Salt Lake City or toll free +1 800 322-3770. Reservations are not required but advised. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. User feesDay-use and camping fees are charged. Additional fees are charged for group-use and reservations. GuidelinesPlease observe the followin park regulations to ensure that everyone's visit is pleasant: Camping - Camp only in designated areas. Each permit covers one vehicle and any attached recreational equipment. There is an extra fee for additional vehicles or camping equipment. Up to eight people are allowed in a campsite. Fires - Campfires may be built in specified areas. All sites provide charcoal grills and selected sites offer ground grills. Firewood is generally not available in state parks. Picnickers and campers should bring appropriate fuel. Pets - Pets are allowed in Utah state parks but should be on a maximum six-foot leash. Seeing Eye dogs are the only animals admitted in park buildings. For safety and courtesy, please keep your pets under control. Bicycles - Bicycling is permitted on established public roads and in parking area. Bicycles are not allowed on hiking trails, in the valley of goblins, or within the campground off the pavement. Off-highway vehicles - Off-highway vehicle riding is permitted in areas nearby the park. For designated areas contact a park ranger. Plants and animals - All plants, animals, minerals, and other natural features in state parks are protected. It is unlawful to remove, alter, or destroy them. Firearms - Posession or use of firearms, traps, or other devices capable of launching a projectile that can immobilize, injure, or kill a person or animal, or damage property is prohibited unless the weapon or device is 1) unloaded and packed away to prevent its use, 2) being used in the legal pursuit of wildlife or 3) being used by authorized enforcement officers in the performance of official duties. Fireworks - Unless authorized by the park manager, fireworks or firecrackers are prohibited in state parks. Vandalism - It is unlawful to mutilate or deface any natural or constructed feature or structure. Please help keep our parks beautiful. Speed limit - The speed limit within all park areas is 15 mph (24 km/h). Waste water - It is unlawful to dump or to drain water from campers or trailers onto the ground. A sanitary disposal station is provided for registered campers. Quiet hours - 10:00 pm to 7:00 am External links
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This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. |
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