Steinaker State Park - Vernal, Utah
Dates of Stay: April 12-19
Our large campsite at Steinaker
Golden-mantled ground squirrel. We thought they were giant Chipmunks!
There were about two dozen turkeys that would wonder around the park every day.
Steinaker Reservoir
Drinking margaritas on the beach...so relaxing
Dry Fork Canyon
The McConkie Ranch (private property) - Through the generosity of the McConkie's, visitors are able to climb into the sandstone cliffs to view Native American petroglyphs.
The shack on the McConkie Ranch where you can
sign in and pay (suggested donation). You can also grab a walking stick from
the garbage pail outside. Very thoughtful.
I found the inside of the shack almost as interesting as the petroglyphs. They have a stack of post it notes where you can write a note and press it onto the wall or ceiling. The notes are thank you's to the McConkie's for allowing visitors to "invade" their property to climb in the cliffs to view the artwork. They also had water and pop for sale in the fridge.
A poem someone left in the shack regarding the petroglyphs.
Lots and lots of climbing ahead
More climbing
Still climbing
The figures in the cliffs represent the Fremont culture,
which flourished in this area from about 1-1200 AD
The Native American petroglyphs are world renown,
found all along 200-foot-high "Navajo Formation" sandstone cliffs.
The cliffs were literally covered with artwork
More art
The cliffs from a distance
Dinosaur National Monument
The dinosaur quarry
Cub Creek Road Tour within Dinosaur National Monument
The Cub Creek Road tour has 15 stops. We started with the furthest stop out, which is the ranch of Josie Bassett Morris...
Josie Bassett Morris' ranch house within Dinosaur National Monument
At the age of 40, Josie moved to this area and for 50 years she lived alone in her cabin without plumbing, telephone, or electricity. She had to do everything on this property; she raised and butchered cattle, she planted grapes, orchards, rose gardens, vegetable gardens, chicken coops and turkey pens, and just about everything you needed to survive. She became a fascinating character in the pageant of the west and the story of Vernal.
A box canyon on Josie Basset's property
A petroglyph stop along the driving tour.
Dave's the speck up there in front of the cliffs in a light blue t-shirt.
There are lizard petroglyphs on this rock.
Split Mountain and the Green River
Moonshine Arch
Dave standing under the arch
A view of the arch from a cave
Such a pretty spot!
Inside the cave
Dave walking along the cave
The crushed sandstone cliffs make for a sandy walking path
Red Fleet State Park
Hiking to Dinosaur Trackways in Red Fleet State Park
Dinosaur Trackways Hike - this place was a little unimpressive as far as dinosaur tracks go...
especially after seeing the tracks in St. George, Utah and Colorado...but it was a pretty walk to the Red Fleet reservoir.
Red Fleet Reservoir
Kayaking on Steinaker Reservoir
Launching
Our beach at Steinaker
Snow covered mountains in the background
The End
Heading to Antelope Island next...
